Posted by Kirsten on 2022 Dec 1st
A Beginner's Guide to Winter Camping
When you think of sleeping in a tent, you probably envision a warm summer night in the forest. But, what if you could continue camping all year round. I know not everyone steps outside after a snowstorm and thinks “Hmmm, wouldn’t it be nice to sleep out here tonight?” - yet that’s exactly what we are talking about today.
Let’s re-imagine that initial tenting vision.
The sky is clear and the stars are bright. The only sounds are the fire crackling and your friends laughter as you sip hot chocolate. You’re cozied up in comfortable layers as you relax in your custom made chair you dug out in the snow. Yes - snow! Sounds kind of magical, right?
Now that we’ve peaked your curiosity, let’s dive into how to make that snow dream a reality. With the right planning and gear, you’ll be ready to camp outside in the winter - and be toasty warm while doing so.
One of the biggest differences in what to pack for winter camping versus summer camping is the amount of gear. Winter clothing and gear are generally more bulky and heavier to pack. The increase in size and weight is absolutely worth it when sleeping outside in below freezing temperatures.
WHAT TO WEAR
Layers are always an outdoor person's best friend, especially in the winter. These are the layers you’ll want to wear.
- Base Layer: Tight fitting long sleeve shirt and pants, ideally made of Merino Wool.
- Mid Layer: Fleece or a cotton blend
- Insulating Mid layer: A puffy down or synthetic filled jacket
- Outer Layer: Waterproof Shell and Pants
- Accessories: Winter hat, Neckwarmer, Wool Socks and Waterproof Gloves or Mitts
You’ll want to bring extra clothes in case anything gets wet or damp so you can change into dry clothes. The same goes for your winter accessories.
All of that will keep you warm around camp but what about when it’s time to tuck in for the night? Your base layer, and one of your mid layers should do the trick. Ideally, you have a second set to change into that you’ve kept dry and warm. Adding your winter accessories to your sleep attire is also helpful.
SLEEP
Investing in a winter specific tent may not be necessary, unless camping in extreme winter conditions, but you are going to want at least a 3 season tent to protect you from the elements. One thing to note is your regular tent stakes may not suffice. Winter tent stakes are designed to work in the snow and cut through frozen ground. You can also utilize packed snow to help weigh down your tent.
A 3-season sleeping bag plus a sleeping liner such as the Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor is a good setup. There are also winter specific sleepingbags such as the Big Agnes Anvil Horn. If you plan on making winter camping a regular thing, investing in a winter sleeping bag is recommended. It is important to note that Sleeping Bag Ratings are often survival level ratings - as opposed to comfort levels.
Perhaps more important than your sleeping bag is what you put beneath it. You are going to want two sleeping pads: A closed cell foam pad and an air pad. An air sleeping pad with a high R value (such as the NeoAir XTherm) is going to do wonders in protecting your warmth at night. Place a closed cell foam pad, with the silver side up to reflect heat, under your air sleeping pad.
A couple other tips for warmth at night include doing a bit of exercise just before you go to bed - or even directly inside your sleeping bag. We're talking some crunches here - but if you want to jump and down and attempt some pre-snoozing jumping jacks in your sleeping bag, we won't stop you. Additionally, hot water in a Nalgene bottle at the bottom of your sleeping bag is one of the greatest hacks!
GEAR
A lot of what you pack during the summer months will be similar so here is a list of winter specific gear to help make your winter camping a delightful experience.
- Snowshoes: Not only for hiking to the campsite, but also for stomping out a smooth surface for your tent.
- Crampons: This will depend on your location but if any ice is on your trek, crampons will ensure you can trust your footing - especially since you are carrying (or pulling) extra weight.
- A shovel: A lightweight and packable shovel is handy for setting up your campsite as well as being a key safety item
- A Camping Seat: Whether it’s a chair, an air seat or your closed cell foam pad, having a camping seat is an essential comfort item
- Lighting: With an early sunset, you may want to bring extra lighting to enjoy your time around camp. Keep in mind that batteries drain faster in the cold so you won’t regret packing extra batteries.
- Stormproof matches and/or extra lighters, stored in a waterproof bag are a necessity.
- Other great things to pack include: Hand warmers and an Emergency blanket
FOOD/WATER
Your body has a higher caloric need in cold weather as it is utilizing additional energy to keep your temperature regulated. Keep this in mind when preparing your food, and don't be stingy. Who doesn't want an excuse to eat an extra cookie or two (or three)?! For this reason, as well as the likelihood of craving hot drinks, and therefore boiling more water, pack more fuel than you would for your summer treks. Colder temperatures can also mean more time to achieve boiling temperature - and therefore more fuel will be utilized all around. On that note, ensure the stove you have is built to work in cold weather.
Gear can freeze - including your water filter pump. This makes having a backup solution such as Aquatabs extra important on your sub-zero explorations. An easy to solution to prevent your water bag from turning into an ice pack is to insulate your water bag and hose. Another option is to store water in something larger, like a Nalgene Water bottle, which takes longer to freeze - but store it upside down so if water does start to freeze, you can flip it and still quench your thirst.
SAFETY
It’s important to be diligent about outdoor safety year-round. Here are some added steps to take in the winter.
- Navigation: A reliable GPS watch with your area and trail pre-loaded and fully charged. A map and compass are great if your watch battery dies. They can be more difficult to navigate in winter conditions but still worth it if your other devices fail.
- Communication: Let someone know your plan before you go. If you are travelling somewhere without service, bringing a satellite communication device brings major peace of mind. We aren’t covering Avalanche safety in this blog so please do your research and know the risks involved in the locations you plan on visiting!
- Protect from Sun and Wind Burns: It’s not usually top of mind when the snow hits, but your dry cheeks and chapped lips will be thanking your for bringing sunscreen and SPF lip balm.
- Of course, always pack your First Aid Kit.
“Pack It in, Pack it Out” still applies.
If backpacking to a remote area, you also need to consider the waste. Garbage… and poop. We have a blog all about how to poop in the backcountry so be sure to give that a read! We promise it's worth it for the humour as much as the education component. If the ground is too frozen to dig - you need to carry it out. Bring some dog poop bags and a poop tube. It’s exactly what you’re picturing.
In Summary
Winter camping takes a bit more prep but can be that much more rewarding. As with most things, finding what works best for you will take some trial and error. For your first time, go someplace easy and close by so if things aren’t working - you can pack up and leave. Happy camping!
REFERENCES
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/winter-camping.html
https://happiestoutdoors.ca/winter-camping-for-beginners/