It’s that time of year where the shoulder season is ending and we are heading straight into winter. For us campers who go out all year, there are many challenges for winter camping. The big one for me is staying warm. So, how do you do this?
Keeping warm is something that I have a hard time accomplishing in winter and the shoulder seasons, especially when I am heading to bed. I have talked to numerous outdoor enthusiasts and have compiled a list that you can try.
- Big one is to change ALL clothes when you go to bed. I mean ALL, right down to your underwear. Anything that you wear during the day has been exposed to your sweat, which will have since dried. This sweat is damp and cold and will keep your body cold during the night. Have a fresh set of clothes in your bag ready for you that night.
- Have a properly rated and fitted sleeping bag (or two or three… LOL) I have a selection of sleeping bags, all at different ratings, shapes and styles. I also have a liner that I use frequently. There are times when I have used a liner, summer bag, 3 season bag, and down blanket. It is also important to have very little extra space in your bag. The more space, the more you have to warm that space. So find a bag that is the right size. You don’t want a long bag when you are a short person.
- Eat a high protein/fat snack before you head to bed. Eating this type of product will mean your body has to process it overnight. This processing of food will generate energy and heat. (Gosh I love science) This energy and heat will warm you from the inside out.
- Make sure you go number 1 before bed (Or if you start to get cold). Believe it or not, using the bathroom before bed is another important piece. Your bladder is holding all that fluid and your body has to warm that fluid. This takes energy away from warming the rest of your body. Same goes for if you get chilled at night, you just may have to get up and go use the bathroom.
- Hot Water Bottle or Nalgene. A few minutes before you head to your sleeping bag, boil some water, fill a hot water bottle or Nalgene and throw it in your bag. This water will stay warm throughout the night and also be like a little furnace for you.
- Hot Paws/Warmers. I have found that using the hot toes and sticking them to my back will take the chill out. These can also be placed in your sleeping bag to create little hot pockets of warmth to snuggle.
- Use a mylar/survival blanket. During one of my trips with students in May, I found that my sleeping bag was just not warm enough. I used a survival blanket inside my sleeping bag. This captured the warm air I was releasing and bouncing it back to me. (again science!) I found that it was much warmer that night with the blanket. I actually keep a couple of these blankets in various places in my gear as a Just In Case.
These are a few examples and I know there are others. Here is the thing for me. I have tried ALL of these items and I find there are nights that I still get cold. It is an ongoing process for me to find the combination that works best for me. You may find that you do not need any of these tips, or you might need many of these tips. You have to find what works best for you.
I hope that if you have not yet heard of these tips, that you will take away this information and try them yourself. If you find something else, please send it along as I love to hear about new ideas.
EDIT: Since I’ve written this post, I was able to camp in a hot tent in winter. This is the ultimate choice to staying warm! LOL!!!