Camping in the cold

It was snowing as I awoke the other morning. I could hear it rustling against the nylon walls of the tent. And peering out in the dim early light, I could see my breath condensing.

No problem. I slid my arms out of the sleeping bag, fired up the camp stove and set a pot of water on it, slid back inside and didn’t re-emerge until my morning tea was hot. Drank my first cup still cocooned in warmth—luxury!

Many active outdoors enthusiasts go camping in the summer time, some at this time of year, fewer through the winter. That’s a shame because the next few months offer anyone bold enough to set up a tent an experience that shouldn’t be missed. You get to enjoy quiet and solitude and a feeling of full-on adventure that you simply can’t find at other times of year.

One key to enjoying camping is getting a good night’s sleep. Fear of being cold or uncomfortable keeps a lot of folks confined within four walls with a bed and central heat. But with modern camping gear, sleeping cozy, even in bitter cold, is not difficult. It’s just part of the fun.

You know how you’ve been told to dress in layers for comfort when you are outdoors playing? The same advice applies to sleeping. Layers mean comfort

But, you have to put everything together in the right way. Over the years, and thousands of nights in tents, I’ve developed a system that seems to work well in all situations:

Step 1:

• Pick a good tent site. Especially at this time of year it should be sheltered from the wind (which can cause a tent to sound like the inside of a base drum . . .). And, of course, you want a smooth, nearly-level spot for sleeping—if there’s any slope you want your head uphill.

Step 2

• Prepare the ground. Remove sticks and stones. If you are on snow, pack it down. If you can find or make a slight depression that your hip will fit into, that’s perfect.

Step 3

• Make your bed. What goes under you is as important for warmth as what goes around you, especially when the ground is cold or frozen.

Because my favorite tent has no floor, I always start with a ground cloth. Tent floors get leaky after awhile, so the ground cloth is always a good idea. Next comes insulation in the form of a full length closed-cell foam pad.

Above that I add a foam filled air mattress for padding—which one I use depends on how much weight I want to carry. Generally speaking, the more padding, the more it weighs.

Finally I lay out my sleeping bag and let the fill fluff up. Choosing the right bag can help. Mummy-style sleeping bags are always warmer and lighter than rectangular bags. Down or synthetic fill? I prefer synthetic; it’s cheaper and easier to maintain, but both work. You should be more concerned about the loft (thickness) which is what conserves body heat.

I sleep warm and can trust manufacturer’s temperature ratings. If you sleep cold, you might want something rated for lower temps than you are likely to encounter. A bag rated to 0-degrees is adequate for most people all winter.

Here’s a hint: If you don’t have a cold-weather bag, put one summer bag inside another. Heavy, but it works.

The trick is not to let the fear of cold keep you penned up inside at night. Sleeping out in a tent is always an adventure, especially at this time of year.

Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!

More tips for keeping warm

Be sure to eat hearty and drink often when you are camping out. Chances are you’ve burned some calories during your day’s activities. You need to replace those and fuel the internal furnace to keep you warm all night. If you’re dehydrated, you are going to be cold, so sip water right up until bedtime.

Keep a snack and some water within easy reach (If it’s really cold, you may need to keep a water bottle in the bag with you) so you can refuel and re-hydrate as necessary.

Whoever first propounded the myth that it’s warmer to sleep naked inside a sleeping bag should be forced to do so as appropriate punishment. Always carry an extra pair or lightweight long underwear tops and bottoms, a clean pair of socks and a fleece beanie so you have something dry to wear to bed. Not only does it significantly boost the efficiency of your sleeping bag, it also keeps you warm for a quick trip outside in the middle of the night.

Another hint: if you need to go, just go. Worrying or debating about it is counterproductive.