Daily Tip: Winter Camping

[renodesertfox]

Howdy,
I'm just sharing experiences here, what I've learned over time. If anyone wants to add something too that's okay. Try not to repeat what someone else has already said, but if you have a short story about something that has happened to you, please don't feel threatened by the copy police, they wouldn't scold or make you sit in a corner. If you add a tip, please add only one a day. If a day is missed, oh well, please don't make up for it and post 15 tips. Thanks for reading, sharing your experiences. Also please try and stick to the season currently in. Enjoy camping and sharing experience! Maybe one day we will all be experts...


Drink plenty of water, even though you don't think you are thirsty. Dry winter air will dehydrate you quickly without you noticing until it is too late. Water is necessary for your body to generate heat. A good rule of thumb for checking hydration is the color of your urine. Urine will be light colored or clear if you are properly hydrated.

[renodesertfox]

The guitar of the noisy teenager at the next campsite makes excellent kindling.

[Bigdog57]

Don't dress 'toasty warm'! We need ventilation in our clothing to prevent sweat and getting wet, and it's better to be a bit cool than too hot!

[renodesertfox]

Howdy,
In below-freezing weather, turn your water bottles upside down so that the ice forms at the bottom of the bottle instead of in the opening.

[renodesertfox]

Howdy,
Carry a closed cell foam pad to sit on in camp. Frozen ground or a shelter floor will quickly pull body heat out through your rear end. You can also use your sleeping pad to sit on.

[Bigdog57]

Wear a watch cap (knit cap) when turning in for the night - a lot of heat radiates out through the noggin!

[renodesertfox]

Water mixed with something such as Gatorade, lemonade, etc will freeze at a lower temperature than plain water.

[Bigdog57]

In extreme cold, wear your coat over a hydration bladder pack to keep your water from freezing too.

[renodesertfox]

When planning a winter camping trip, especially if snow camping, remember that travel will be much slower than in the summer. Reduce your mileage goal by 50% to 60%. Daylight hours are fewer in the winter, which will also limit your time. Normal activities around camp take longer in cold weather.

[Bigdog57]

I dress in layers - down here, the temps will change a lot during the day. That 32 dgrees in the early morning will mellow to a nice fiftyish during the early afternoon! Better to be able to peel off a layer as it warms up.
And Polarfleece is the shiznit! Avoid cotton in winter - fleece and the insulating synthetics are warmer and still breathable. And they will still keep you warm when wet - like wool but much lighter!

[renodesertfox]

As a winter campout burns more fat and calories to keep you warm then a summer campout, attention should be given what kinds of food to take before the campout. Foods high in fat, complex carbohydrates, and protein release their energy slowly, keeping you warmer. Sugar and starch burn too quickly to keep you warm hour after hour. Good foods to eat would be Beef, poultry, fish, eggs, corn, beans, whole-wheat bread, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, vegetables and fruits, butter, nuts, cheese, salami, and bacon. Some of these would make excellent snacks for any campout. Avoid sweets.

[renodesertfox]

When the temperature drops below freezing, having a warm sleeping bag is important for having a warm night’s sleep. Even with a bag that is rated for zero degrees Fahrenheit or below, campers may want additional warmth. A fleece liner or an over bag can add to the warm of the sleeping. Also a 100% wool blanket!

Read more: http://winter-remote-camping.suite10...#ixzz0XhKPhiUa

[Bigdog57]

The chemical warmer packets work real well here too- one down in the footbox, and one under your upper body. The better ones last 18 hours or more - so in the morning, put them in your jacket for more warmth.

Wally Mart has them in the hunting section.

[renodesertfox]

Cooking Table Tip

Use sturdy cooking tables for your camping stoves. Watch other campers when you go to a campground, you'll see that they either use the picnic table that is provided, or they use flimsy tables that are really too small for their stoves. I recommend the Coleman Exponent Outfitter Camp Kitchen if you don't have a sturdy unit already. As you have seen in the Photo Gallery section and in my photo albums we cook on a Camp Chef. A propane camping stove is a source of open flame for one thing, and it will get very hot for another. You cannot afford to have it tip and fall. Not only will your food end up in the dirt, but the flame, heat, and possible grease or scalding water will wreck havoc on both person and gear!!

[renodesertfox]

Howdy,
Three tips to take us through the weekend, by cracky!


Attach "dummy cords", or security cords to your mittens to prevent losing them in windy or snowy conditions.

Carry extra gloves or liners to change into if your first pair gets wet. Gloves can be dried out overnight in your sleeping bag.
Be sure to carry plenty of dry socks. Wet socks can be dried overnight in your sleeping bag, preferably by placing them close to your body.

Happy Turkey Day 2009 to everyone!!! Get Camping!