Winter Camping 101: Camping Equipment Essentials and Tips to Keep Warm and Safe

As we evolve, we keep relying on technology more and more to make our daily lives easier. Thanks to all the gadgets and the overall urbanization of our environment, almost all of us now tend to have a rather sedentary lifestyle. This can be quite risky to both our mental and physical health, so being aware and more active will definitely be beneficial. Any activity is advantageous, even if it’s deciding to walk to your job, going for a light jog or even taking out your pet. However, if you want to take a break from the modern world and reconnect with nature, the perfect activity would be outdoor camping.

Camping has been around for quite some time, and people love it. It’s a great way to bond with friends and family while experiencing the beauties of nature. The good thing is, you can set up your camp anywhere you would like. You just have to grab your essentials and decide when. There also isn’t a rule about which season to choose either, in fact winter has been found to make the perfect time for an exciting and cosy camping journey. It offers a ton of benefits, but we’ll get into that later. For now, let’s dive into what you will be needing for a successful winter camping trip.

How to Prepare for Winter Camping

In order to have everything running smoothly, you must ensure you have all your essentials before camping out in the cold weather. So, let’s answer the big question – What equipment do you need for winter camping? Here are the most crucial items for camping during the winter time:

The Tent

The most important piece of equipment for this kind of trip is undeniably the tent. It will be the place where you can go sleep, rest, eat and keep warm. Going out to camp without one, especially during the cold weather, is just a recipe for disaster. So, before even thinking on starting your camp journey, you must get yourself one of the best winter camping tents to ensure a fun and carefree winter camp trip.

In general, people usually choose a season 3 or season 4 tent for the frosty weather. They both make an excellent shelter, but it’s beyond doubt that the season 4 winter tent is the best choice. This kind of tent is specifically made to endure strong winds and snowstorms, while keeping you warm and dry at all times. It’s important to note that it’s more expensive than the season 3 tent, but it’s a great investment if you enjoy camping more during the breezy weathers. So, let’s see what features to look out for when getting this type of tent:

Definitely choose a double wall tent, which is made of two types of fabrics. The first one is a breathable fabric to ensure enough oxygen comes in and out, and the other layer is a waterproof fabric which will protect you from the terrible weather. Next, make certain that the roof is able to withstand and shed heavy snow, or else it will surely collapse. Another thing to look out for is the strength of the poles, which will be entirely responsible for the stability of your winter tent. In this case it’s best to choose freestanding tents, because they are much more secure. Other features to consider are how spacious and high you would prefer your tent to be, and also definitely get gear lofts for extra equipment protection.

Food and Resources

Planning out your food and water for winter activities is a very important step. Eating will make sure you have enough energy and it will help your body produce enough heat to keep you warm. Keep in mind that during the cold weather, your body will require more food than you regularly may need. Of course, the calorie intake varies from person to person, so it’s best to know how much you will be needing to avoid running out of space.
You would like to avoid taking fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, as they will rot faster and take up a lot of space. Instead, opt for dry foods such as rice, pasta or oatmeal, brownies, cookies etc. Consider getting canned foods as well, especially tuna as it is a great source of protein. Overall, make sure you have enough nutrients that will get you through your whole trip. As for water, you can bring it yourself or you can melt simply melt snow!

Clothing and Personal Equipment

Quality winter camping tents and the food will certainly not be enough to keep you going. Clothes and other personal items will be key to keeping you warm throughout the whole winter trip. For starters, you should have three layers of clothes in total, to prevent frost bite or hypothermia. The outer layer is most important because it will be responsible for keeping your body protected from the harsh winds, so get a waterproof and wind-resistant coat. For your head, opt for a warm winter hat and a facemask to ensure extra protection. If the weather is super extreme, definitely get winter goggles as well. As for the feet, get non-cotton, thick socks and insulated boots.

From other personal equipment, get a quality sleeping bag, eating utensils, shovels, garbage bags, a stove, toilet paper, medications, heaters, a flashlight etc. It really depends on what you think you will and won’t be needing, so plan carefully.

General Tips on Camping During Winter

Lastly, before taking off on your winter journey, it’s of huge importance to know some basic tips. The most important thing is to know how to respect the area where you will be camping and follow the rules of leaving no trace. This way you can still have a fun trip without polluting or disturbing the environment. Other things to know are how to properly travel around. Always have a compass, map and a person who will be the leader, so you can always follow him/her around and never get lost. Of huge importance is also having at least basic survival skills. Don’t be afraid to try out new things, maybe go hunting or provide water yourself. Lastly, don’t forget to keep warm by eating regularly and doing exercise to keep your body heated up. Frost bites are the worst.

The Benefits of Camping During the Winter Season

Now that you know the basics on gearing up for a winter camp trip, let’s take a look at a quick list of the benefits of camping out during the winter season:

• Less crowds
• No annoying bugs and insects
• Lowered pollution
• Beautiful night skies
• Piece and quiet
• Warm drinks and a book never sounded better
• Improvement of mental and physical health

Conclusion

Overall, by taking into account all the things you can do during winter camping and the benefits it brings, it surely proves to be a really fun and healthy activity. Not only will it bring you closer to nature, but it will also help bonding with friends and family. So, go ahead and get your winter camp essentials and you will be ready to go. Remember to stay warm and enjoy every moment that the breezy outdoors can bring!