Must Read Guide Before You Head Out For Winter Camping

There are few things as exciting and wholesome as winter camping. But it does come with its set of challenges. No matter whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned adventurer, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. Preparations aside, one thing you simply can’t do without while camping in the cold season is, of course, your canopy tent. 

In this guide we will see how to prepare before heading out to a frozen landscape or snowclad wilderness for camping.

1. Collect as Much Information as You Can

Unless you know the lay of the land, it’s always a good idea to glean as much information as you can about the place, you are going camping to, from reliable sources. 

What’s the average temperature like in winter? What about cold gusts and precipitation? What’s the elevation of the place? Are there any fresh water reserves nearby? These are just some of the questions to ask before heading out to a place for the first time, not least in winter. Talking to campers who have been to the site previously can be a lifesaver. They’ll enlighten you with information and insights you won’t find in any guide book. And yes, keep an eye on the weather report. Head out to camp when there are predictions for clear skies, only.

2. How long is your trip?

If you have never camped in the outdoors in winter, it’s better to start off with short trips and not embark on a long one at the first go. Short trips will help you gauge a few important things:

• Can your body withstand extreme temperature conditions?
• How good is your camping gear? 
• Do you have a proper outdoor pop up tent to protect you from freezing drafts? 

So on and so forth…

3. Do you have basic survival skills?

Having a proper pop up tent isn’t enough. Yes, it will protect you from cold gusts. A tent mattress will give you a soft, warm cushion to lie down and, if you can manage to carry a portable heating solution, you can keep yourself reasonably warm in sub-zero temperatures. Not to mention winter wear and sleeping bags! But these amenities aside, there are some basic survival skills you absolutely need to stay safe in the wilderness, not least in the freezing cold.

• Learn how to start a fire and keep it burning for long hours. 
• Learn how to forage for food, in case you run out of ration. 
• Learn to track wild animals, especially potential predators, and steer clear of them. 

These are just some of the basic survival skills you need to know to survive on your own in the wilderness. Talk to experts and try to learn as much as you can from them. There’s no replacement for good old-fashioned hands-on training!

4. What’s the perfect tent?

A 4-season outdoor event tents is what we suggest for winter camping trips. The reason we suggest such a tent is because: 

• 4-season tents are made of multi-layered insulating fabrics, normally PVC or polyester or any of its derivatives. Multiple layers of these materials are good enough to keep you warm even in sub-zero temperatures. 
• They are also waterproof, meaning melting snow won’t cause water seepage and you won’t end up with wet gear. 
• All modern camping tents are made in such a way as to stop excess snow from accumulating on the roof and causing a cave-in. The excess snow just slides off the dome shape supported by sturdy steel or aluminium frames. But avoid camping under low hanging tree branches to avoid cuts and tears in the fabric, and clumps of snow sliding off the branches and on to the tent canopy. 
• Buying a tent that has more than one entry/exit point is always a good idea. And yes, it needs to have vents to keep the air circulating. Air vents in 4-season tents are designed to keep the air circulation on without losing heat.

5. Choose your sleeping bag and clothes wisely

Sleeping bags and winter garments are meant to keep you warm and insulated from sub-zero temperatures. But make sure they are not too warm for comfort. If your winter wear or sleeping bag causes you to sweat profusely, the result can be detrimental to your health. In sub-zero temperatures, the sweat will cause you to lose body temperature rapidly and might cause hypothermia to set in. 

Always use winter garments made of materials that wick away accumulated sweat. Use breathable sleeping bags only. 

Extra tips:

• Keep your extremities insulated at all times.
• Keep tent stakes and guy ropes handy for the windy days. 
• Keep matches and other fire starters dry at all times.
• Carry extra pairs of clothes – as much as you can. 
• Having extra tarps to erect as makeshift wind-walls is always a good idea.
• We don’t have to tell you how important lanterns and extra batteries are to camping trips! 

Endnote

From helping us with safe winter camping to hogging the limelight in tradeshows, branded pop up tents have been doing it all for us. These ubiquitous accessories have redefined outdoor events and reshaped the way we approach brand promotion. Always remember to buy from reputed manufacturers only. This can make all the difference between a happy camping trip and a not-so-happy one.