A Beginners Guide To Camping in Winter Essentials

Are you thinking about camping in winters but you have a fear of the unknown? Well, why do you worry when you are already here, reading our beginners guide to camping in winter essentials? In this guide, we will help you overcome your fear of the unknown by introducing you to every essential aspect of camping in the winter season like a seasoned camper. Believe us, a night in the woods silenced by the chill of the winter, a pollution-free sky for stargazing, and a freshly made farmers' stew would make the camping memorable for you.

A Beginners Guide To Camping in Winter Essentials

What is Winter Camping?

As the name suggests, when it is chilly out there, and the temperature is nearing the freezing point, and then someone decides to camp out in the woods is called winter camping. Before you load your luggage on your car’s roof rack and set out for winter camping, read our guide to plan an excellent trip- 

Choosing a Campsite

Before you decide to pack up for camping, you need to choose a camping site. If you are thinking about going to the campsites in most of the National Parks, you should check the availability beforehand. Why? Because most of the USA's National Park Campgrounds stay closed during the winter season. 

Other campsites, if open, might not be accessible due to excessive snow. Hence, it would help if you found a camp that is easily accessible and is open to the public. 

Choosing a good campsite doesn't end at the fact of availability. It would be best to research the temperature and the general weather of the place where you decide to set up your camp. 

Also, research beforehand for the wildlife around the camping site you are about to book for a thrilling winter camping experience.

Carry the Right Camping Gear with You

Whether you sleep in your car or RV or a tent in the wilderness, you need to carry the right gear for both options. 

If you are sleeping inside a tent, you should carry an ultra-durable and shielding all-weather tent. Ensure that the tent has proper insulation so that you don't shiver in the cold of the night. 

After you get the perfect tent for you, you need to buy a sleeping bag. Ensure that the sleeping bag has a freezing point rating to help you keep warm. 

On the contrary, if you want to sleep in a car, you should fold-flat your vehicle's seats to make comfortable bedding for yourself. 

Dress Adequately

It's no brainer that you should appropriately dress when you are out in the mountains and not take the weather lightly.  

Remember a thumb rule is to avoid cotton in cold and wet conditions. The fabric holds the moisture, and it doesn't let the warmth get to you. Always wear comfortable woolen and synthetic clothing so that you stay dry as well as warm.

If you plan to hike through the way to your camping site, you will need snow boots to keep your feet warm. Don't commit the mistake of wearing your regular shoes to a winter hike. 

Whenever you feel warm or sweaty after a long hike, do not remove your jacket, because it's easier to keep yourself warm, instead of trying to generate heat again and again. Another good tip for you to stay warm is by layering your clothes. Instead of wearing one bulky and thick jacket, wear two thinner ones. This will provide better insulation for you and keep you warm. 

Making a Fire: 101

Naturally, you will be starting a fire if you decide to camp in the countryside on a chilly night. That's why you need to carry some firestarters in your backpack. They can be:

● Paper

● Dry wood chips

● Lighter

● Matchsticks

In the USA, it's illegal to gather wood from some National Parks. Hence you should carry adequate wood to start a fire and keep yourself warm. 

Once you've spent your time during the night, remember to put out the fire before moving forward. If you want to know more!

Meals while Camping

Whether you are thirsty or running out of your water supply, don't ever consume snow as it is. This might cause hypothermia and other infections, so always boil the snow and then drink the water. 

Apart from that, carry ready to eat meals with you when you go camping. There are meal packets available on the market that require you to add hot water to them to make them ready to eat. You should avoid cooking traditional meals in a pot because cleaning the mess in sub-freezing temperatures could be challenging for anyone. 

Apart from full-fledged meals, carry quick bites with you. Some good options for quick bites are - dry fruits, protein bars, and dark chocolates.  Just check with headlamp reviews.

Sanitize Your Surroundings

Naturally, you will be camping in the 'post-Covid times', and you should take full precautions while doing so. Don't forget to sanitize your surroundings with a hypo solution. 

Conclusion

In this post, we wrapped up the complete beginners guide for a winter season camping grid. Are you planning to go winter camping this season? Remember to follow our wholesome guide to help you stay sound in challenging conditions. Happy Camping!!