Camping in winter is a challenge for many newbies to camping. But, just because the weather is cold, it does not mean you should not go camping in winter.
As a matter of fact, going camping during the cooler part of the year has many advantages. First, there are fewer people around which means you can enjoy a more serene experience.
Secondly, winter is a special time. You be surprised how much there is to see. The winter is often a great time to enjoy special wildlife experiences.
8 Tops Tips For Camping In Winter
Don’t miss out on camping just because it is cold outside. With the right know-how and equipment, you can turn winter camping into a beautiful experience.
1 Getting Ready For Winter Camping
Preparation is the key when it comes to camping. It does not matter if you go camping in summer or winter. No matter what, you have to be prepared.
Your camping experience starts long before you pack your truck up. In winter, as the weather is cooler, you may need to take more and heavier gear.
Heavy jackets and sweaters weigh more than t-shirts and shorts. If the weather is both cold and rainy, you also need to take more gear. After all, you can’t wear a wet jacket or sweater the next day.
It is fair to say you need to double up on everything when camping during the cooler time of the year.
2 Don’t Get Cold at Night
You are far more likely to catch hypothermia during the night camping in winter than you are during the day.
When the sun goes down, conditions quickly change and it gets cold. When you are back in your van or tent, make sure you have some way of keeping warm.
Camping stoves are useful when it comes to winter camping. Buy the right one and use it for cooking and keeping warm. Ensure you have an outlet so fumes are not released into your tent or van.
3 Solar Powered Blankets
Solar-powered blankets are not blankets that keep you wrap around you. Instead, they are an array of solar cells that you can place outside your van or tent.
When the sun goes in, you can use them to light up your campsite or for charging your mobile devices.
You can use solar-powered blankets on their own or as an add-on to a generator or battery powered sources. Two of the main benefits of solar-powered blankets are that they are not heavy and don’t take up a lot of space when stored.
4 Buying the Right Sleeping Bag
Buying the right sleeping bag is simply a must. Fortunately, temperatures in Australia do not fall as far as in the Arctic. But, it can still get rather chilly.
When you are planning on going camping in winter, you should invest in a good-quality sleeping bag.
If you are trail hiking and camping in a smaller tent, you need to remember that your sleeping bag should be both warm and light. Getting the right sleeping bag for winter camping is important. Don’t rush into making a buying decision.
5 Shoes For Your Winter Camping Experience
Shoes and boots are essential if not critical. If you enjoy camping during summer, the right choice is cooler footwear.
Camping in winter means you may need more than one pair of shoes or boots. For winter hiking and walking, MBT Jomo is an excellent choice.
This shoe offers both warmth and extra ankle protection. It has a solid sole which offers grip allowing you to walk at a steady pace. The outer sole is made from rubber which helps in wet weather.
But, don’t just buy one pair of shoes or boots. Wet feet are never nice. In winter, having wet feet leads quickly to hypothermia. You are also at risk of experiencing other foot conditions.
6 Best Food For Camping In Winter
Even though you may feel warm coming back from your hike, eating warm food is important.
You can buy a range of ready-made meals that you can take with you. The alternative is to cook your own. But, it would be fair to say that as daylight hours are often shorter during winter, you may just want to buy ready-made or dehydrated meals.
The benefit of ready-made or dehydrated meals is that you can prepare them quickly.
Don’t forget about hot drinks. Make sure that you have access to fresh water so that you can prepare hot drinks. After a cold night, it is important to have access to hot liquid.
7 Energy Bars and Camping
During cold weather, your body burns much more energy than it does in the summer.
When you camp in summer, you can manage on less food than camping in winter. If you don’t normally pack energy bars, you should certainly do so during the winter.
Having access to quick energy helps to keep you warm and gives you extra energy should the weather turn particularly challenging if you are hiking or skiing.
8 Layering Up
In summer, wearing just one layer of clothing is fine. However, in winter, you need to layer up as they say.
What does layering do? Layering up means you trap warm air in between layers of clothing. This can be between a sweater and a jacket.
Ideally, you should wear more than two layers. It is a good idea to wear an undergarment or a long-sleeved T-shirt underneath your sweater during the daytime.
If it is cold in your tent or vehicle at night, you should consider layering up before you crawl into your sleeping bag. A little bit of extra protection gives you a better night’s sleep.
Final Thoughts On Camping in Winter
The first time you go camping in winter, don’t stay out for too long. It is a different experience so it is best to give your new hobby a trial run.
Once you get more experience, you can stay out for longer. Camping is perfect for any time of the year, and camping in winter, quickly becomes addictive.
