Cold Weather Coming

[Andy Pittman]

little tip, most of you kids probably know this trick already, but when camping in the cold (i fcking love camping in the cold) a good way to keep your bag extra warm throughout the night is to keep a clean, medium sized rock next to your fire for an extended period of time so it warms all the way through. When it's time to crash, place the hot rock at the bottom of your sleeping bag (it won't burn the bag, but wrap it in a shirt or towell for comfort). The rock will stay warm for hours and will filter heat through the entire bag ensuring you stay comfortable for the night.

Tip #2. Don't use river rocks. They are full of moisture and will explode if heated too quickly.

[Rory Partalis]

I love cold weather camping!

[Alex Talarico]

This might work, but it sounds a little wacky haha. I see this quickly leading to disaster melting nylon or synthetic fibers and destroying an expensive cold weather bag. It might not and very well could work really well. I just know I don't have much money to begin with and buying a cold weather bag was hard. I don't want to put that at risk.

A good way I've found to stay warm is a few jumping jacks before bed, a warm drink, and if it's going to be real cold or you just sleep cold, pour some boiling water into a nalgene bottle and stick that at the bottom of your bag. Also, physiologically, your body produces the lowest amount of heat around 2:30-3:30 AM (different for everyone, but that's the normal range) so you tend to wake up shivering at those hours regardless of what type of bag you have. Have a candy bar or something loaded with calories in your bag and eat that when you wake up. The extra calories will boost up your body temp and allow you to be more comfortable.

[NICOLLE]

i don't know about the candy bar in your sleepin bag, when u are in bear country....

[Kevin]

Agreed, I know that better than I want to.

[Kevin]

This is the post I wrote on my website. All about cold weather camping.

Cold Weather Camping and Hiking

We have all experienced the differences between the dangers of cold weather compared to the rest of the seasons. You can fall on a sheet of ice, step through weak ground covering and you can do that in the city, development sidewalk, or restaurant parking lot. It is no different and the dangers are probably even more amplified in the great outdoors whether it be for a day or a week.


There are a few things I would like to discuss in this post. The terrain and its potential injuries, staying warm in the freezing cold, shelter, and dealing with injuries. I believe that these are the four essentials that are even more important than usual in addition to food, water, map/trail reading, equipment preparedness, and fitness.

The appalachian trail in Pennsylvania is considered the rockiest and most dangerous of the entire 3000+ miles and thats in the best conditions. In the snow, ice, and rain it is no exception and there are a few key things to always remember. Always wear good shoes with as much grip as possible, strong ankle support, and as waterproof as possible. In the ice and snow, use cleats and always be extremeley careful as the rocks under the surface are usually very jagged and with easily tear cold flesh.

Staying warm is always the most important thing you can pay attention to. It is important to wear layers starting with the lightest on the bottom. Moisture wicking material is the best way to stay dry, and try to stay away from things that absorb a lot of water. Always wear a hat, change your socks reguraly, and slow down if you start to overheat or sweat. The key is to stay warm, not hot, so shed layers as you need to avoid moisture and stay comfortable. At camp, build a fire and stay close before it is time to get into to the tent.

Shelter is always dependant on what is around and what you brought with you. Setting up a tent in the snow can be a funny experience if it is your first time. Bring a shovel so you can clear an area the same size as your tent. If you can dig down about a half a foot(if snow covered) and lay a tarp folded up to size directly on the ground under the tent. Inside of the tent, lay as down us much stuff as you can under you. If you brought a sleeping pad or an air matress, that works even better. Make sure to never setup your tent on a slope as most likely any pegs you attempt to use will not hold.

Lastly, if an injury should occur, hopefully you access to yours or somebody elses first aid kit. Pain will not mostly likely be an issue due to the cold. However, twisted or broken ankles, knees, wrists, shoulder, and concussions are common in the snow and ice. It is good habbit to carry a hiking stick or pole you can also use as a walking stick or even a splint wrapped around with an ace bandage. As mentioned above there is a lot of potential for scrapes and cuts due to the terrain as well. Always brings something to stop bleeding in the form of bandages, butterfly, sewing needle, etc...

I hope everybody has a safe and happy trail season out there this winter. I know I will.

-Kevin

[Katana Guttman]

I love winter camping! The best way to stay warm is dress in layers and regulate your body temperature by adding and/or deleting layers, and oh you never want to break a sweat when winter camping, hiking, skiing etc., as once you're wet it is very hard to warm back up! Also when in camp for the evening, walking around the site a few times will help as well as eating a snack, and don't stand/sit by the fire the entire evening with out a walk about here and there, or when you decide to put out the fire and go to bed, you will feel much colder, basically a temperature shock. The last point I will make and it is important, if you wake up in the middle of the night needing to go to the washroom, then go, do not wait!!! A full bladder will make you and keep you cold!

[Ata]

Hmmm very nice, too bad I am in FL lol the last thing I need to try to keep warm at night with temp of 90F at night lolol, but I would love to try it once too see how it works

Thank you my friend

[Katana Guttman]

Well if you ever want to come to Toronto, ON/Kingston ON for your winter vacation you can always got camping at Frontenac Provincial park. They even have winter camping group lessons in early February! But I bet you don't really wanna freeze your butt off...LOL!

[Kevin]

That sounds quite interesting. Canada epitomizes cold weather camping/survival. I think that would be an awesome experience and actually have 2 friends in that area. I might actually look into that a bit. Thanks Katana.