Winter Camping
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Winter camping represents a unique hobby for many nature enthusiasts. Camping during the winter months in northern locations presents an entirely different set of logistical challenges for the camper, and dealing effectively with these challenges in an effort to remain comfortable despite cold, snow, wind, and ice is typically part of the enjoyment of the adventure. In addition to cold and snow, more northern latitudes also present the camper with the problem of an early sunset. In places like northern Maine, New Brunswick, and Quebec Canada, it becomes dark by as early as 4pm in the month of December, and campers prepare for this aspect of winter camping. There are several important things winter campers consider before heading out into the north woods. Conscientious preparation is normally taken to ensure safety and comfort in places that pose serious risks of frostbite, hypothermia, dehydration, and other, less life-threatening but still very critical problems.
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[edit] Preparation
Those who have experience camping in temperate conditions sometimes assume that winter camping merely entails dressing warmly and packing a heavier grade sleeping bag, but the reality is that sub-freezing conditions prevalent during winter camping can make a dramatic difference with regard to what winter campers pack and prepare for.
[edit] Food and Water
Temperatures below freezing, and in some cases below zero, force winter campers to bring different kinds of foods with them, and pack those foods and especially the liquids they bring, in a different way than with temperate camping. Any foods that are high in water content will freeze solid. This includes any canned beans, meats, fruits, and vegetables. Winter campers without this foresight are often disappointed to find their canned goods impossible to open and/or inedible. Dried fruits will harden, but can be softened if stored inside the camper's coat. Nuts and gorp mixes are common winter food sources. Also, meats like fish that are stored in oil are popular, as are any dried foods like oatmeal that can be cooked with water. It is extremely difficult to thaw food and water out after it has frozen, no matter how hot the camper's fire. Cold wind practically guarantees that frozen food items stay frozen. Winter campers are vigilant with regard to how they pack water and other liquids. It is just as easy to become dehydrated during winter camping as it is during summer camping, especially because sub-freezing air tends to be bone dry. During a normal night of sleep, for example, winter campers can expel up to a liter of water just through respiration. Therefore, they generally store liquids in such a way as to prevent them from freezing. Inside the coats they wear or bundled deep in their camping packs is a common method to bring liquids in, and most campers put their water sources in their sleeping bag during the night to avoid waking up and finding solid ice instead of liquid water. Eating snow is usually reserved for emergency situations, but even then, eating snow can be very dangerous if risk of hypothermia is an issue.
[edit] Batteries
Winter campers find that store bought batteries are generally ineffective in cold weather. Brand new batteries will produce only the dimmest glow in flashlights, if they work at all. Many camping retailers sell flashlights that require manual cranking or shaking to produce power for lighting. Hand crank flashlights are popular because they work very well in temperatures even below zero, and they are generally lighter than battery powered flashlights.
[edit] Clothing/Bedding
Consistent with all forms of camping, experienced winter campers usually refrain from wearing or bringing items made of cotton. Once cotton gets wet, it stays wet, and in the winter it will freeze stiff. Also, leather items are not commonly brought on winter camping trips. Leather absorbs moisture, and many winter campers have awoken after a night sleep to discover their leather boots frozen solid. Rubber or any other waterproof, synthetic material for boots is normally used instead. During winter camping it is especially difficult to avoid getting damp or wet as snow and ice will melt if it somehow gets inside of campers' clothing, boots, sleeping bag, or tent. This would be an inconvenience during temperate camping, but it can lead to hypothermia during winter camping. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, polypropylene, and smart wool are the most popular fabrics used in winter camping; they are lightweight, warm, and dry rapidly. Natural wool is also used, but it is heavier and dries more slowly than synthetics. As with all cold-weather clothing preparation, layering is ubiquitous. At least three inner layers are normally worn, consisting of synthetic fabric long underwear, fleece or other synthetic shirt, and then a fleece or wool sweater. A warm weatherproof shell is generally worn over this. Winter campers find it useful to have a hood attached to their weatherproof shell. Without one, falling snow easily finds its way down into their neck and collar region where it melts and makes them wet and cold. Inside the hood, a warm hat is worn. Face protection such as a ski mask is also popular. Experienced winter campers wear two layers of thermal protection on their hands. Wearing gloves inside of warm mittens allows them to take off the mittens and utilize the dexterity of their fingers when required without exposing their bear skin to the cold. This is important in situations where frostbite can occur within minutes. Snow pants that extend to cover the tops of campers boots is regarded as a necessity, as this prevents snow from falling into campers' boots. Gaiters are sometimes used as an alternative. Natural or synthetic down feathers sleeping bags with a temperature rating at or below zero are most common among experienced cold weather campers.
[edit] Emergency Planning
As with all outdoor activities, winter camping poses dangers. The primary danger inherent in most winter camping is frostbite and hypothermia. Before setting out winter campers learn about the symptoms of these ailments and how to treat them should they occur. A small booklet on winter weather survival skills is a common item to pack. Cellular phones are generally unreliable out in the wilderness, but they will certainly prove useless in cold weather conditions where cell phone batteries will not work. Isolation is part of the allure of winter camping for many, and preparing against the dangers that isolation in cold and snowy conditions present provides a source of satisfaction and adventure for many winter camping enthusiasts.
[edit] See Also
[edit] External Links
Outdoor Action Guide To Winter Camping
--Bradbud 21:17, 10 December 2006 (UTC)Bradford Harris
