Cold weather camping is so fun with family or friends. Bonfire, evening snacks with hot coffee, one playing Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” in his guitar in the chilly wind just set the perfect mood for camping. But all these amazing experiences can go to vain if you can’t combat cold well. So, if you decided to survive this harsh cold weather like a hero then this article is for you. Alright, without wasting time let us know the 10 Tips to Stay Warm in Extreme Cold Weather Camping. I am sure it will help you to take the full-on amazement of your camping trip.
Read next: Top 20 best extreme cold weather camping tents reviews.
10 Pro Tips to Stay Warm in Extreme Cold Weather Camping
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- Before heading out for a certain camping zone, check about its weather conditions so that can you can prepare yourself accordingly. There are some areas where days are just fine and sunny but during the night the temperature falls drastically. So, you better have the necessary gear and suitable clothes with you.
- Carrying appropriate gears will make you thank yourself in the long run. Such as you can switch your regular gloves with the wool mitten. Because it keeps your hand warmer and toasty than other items. Similarly, a pair of wool sock work as a great insulator that keeps your feet warm and cozy. Besides, wool can absorb a great amount of moisture so it is good for sweaty feet. Make sure you wear the winter boots too for added warmth and protection from cold. Also, bring your muff or woolen half cap to secure your ears from the wind when moving or traveling in the trail.
- You know, some food takes longer to digest and they can increase your body temperature to keep you warm. So, you need to carry those food items that will generate natural heat in your body. Such as carbohydrate, fat, or protein-enriched foods. For example, you can try drinking ginger tea, coffee, eat oatmeals, sweet potatoes, banana, red meat, and butter, etc. Besides, drinking more water can retain your body warmth in cold. Water helps in your body functioning that further regulates internal temperature. You should avoid drinking alcohol if you want to stay warm for a long time. Because it reduces the body’s core temperature and ceases your ability to shiver which is a natural response to raise body heat.
- Choose your sleeping pad wisely as it is an insulating layer between you and the cold surface. Expert says sleeping pad with more R-value rating is powerful at thermal insulation. On the other hand, a sleeping bag’s temperature rating won’t match everyone’s needs precisely. Because each person has a different nap comfort zone. Suppose a cold sleeper can use a bag rated to 10° F under the nighttime low. Again, if a sleeping bag is rated to 30° F then a normal sleeper can sleep warm and comfortably at the outside temperature of 30° F.
- Expert says it is better to layer up before you start feeling cold. Otherwise, it will be tough to warm up your body if you are already cold. Similarly, don’t go to bed with a chilled body as it will taker longer to produce heat in your sleeping bag. Plus, try to cover your head with some wool cap. Because most of the body heat escapes from the head when exposed to cold. A wool cap will retain that heat for you.
- There is a ninja technique to pre-warm up your sleeping bag. How? Very simple. Just boil some water and pour it into a non-insulated stainless-steel water bottle. Then keep this bottle in your sleeping bag before getting inside. Later on, within 5-10 mins your sleeping bag will have adequate warmth to keep you toasty and cozy.
- There is one silly mistake we all make is layering top much over the top and not enough in the bottom. At night, the cold ground can absorb almost all your body heat if you sleep without proper insulation pad. So, avoid putting a pile of blankets over your top and try to keep the bottom well-padded with some extra layers. For this, you can use the close celled foam sleeping pads since they provide more insulation.
- Avoid cotton clothes in cold camping because it will give you less insulation and you will feel chillier. Instead, you can wear insulating synthetic fabrics or merino wool, a thick woolen socks pair, fleece hat or neck warmer, etc. Pro tip: Keep your face outside the bag to avoid moisture build-up inside. Otherwise, your exhaled breath can create a damped and moist atmosphere inside. Special tip: keep your next day wearable clothes at your feet inside the sleeping bag and it will make them warm by the morning. So, you can wear nice and warm clothes the next day.
- Don’t hold onto your pee for too long. Because it will waste the body heat to preserve the amount of fluid warm in your bladder and makes you colder soon. So, try to carry a pee bottle or pee funnel with you to ease yourself.
- Set up your tent in a sheltered area that is away from high winds and situated in a level ground. Check up the pitching surface carefully and see if it is stable. Because some surfaces are apparently fine but underneath there is a large hole covered with snow. So, be cautious to avoid any danger. Also, pitch your tent away from stirring rivers or streams to avoid the creation of micro-climates of colder air around the tent. Read how to set up a tent.
So, guys, these are some effective tips that will help you a lot in surviving the toughest cold weather camping.
And if you have more to add in our 10 Tips to Stay Warm in Extreme Cold Weather Camping then let us know in the comment section. Thanks for reading!
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