Cold Weather Camping Tips
It’s that time of year again when the days are getting shorter, and the temperature is no longer in double figures - Despite what you might think, this doesn’t mean the end of expedition season, in fact, some of the best outdoor adventures can be had once things start getting a little colder.
If the idea of getting cold feet gives you cold feet about taking part in an expedition, then read on to discover how you can stay warm, even if it’s freezing outside!
There are lots of things you can do to ensure you have a cosy night’s sleep - Check out some ideas below from our instructors about how to keep warm even in the coldest conditions:
- Evening Meal: Make sure you’ve had a filling, warm meal before you get into your tent. Foods with lots of carbohydrates will release energy slowly and digesting them through the night will help keep your body warm. A sugary hot chocolate is always a great addition as well.
- Sleeping Bag: Sleeping bags are brilliant at keeping you warm, but they won’t make you warm, that means it’s important you’re warm enough before you get in. If you’re feeling a bit chilly before bed, do a few star jumps or press ups to get your body temperature up, and then get into your sleeping bag - still cold? Sit ups or planks in a sleeping bag are surprisingly good at warming you up!
- Sleeping Bag (Part II): Sleeping bags work by trapping air which creates a barrier and insulates you from the cold. If your sleeping bag has been squished at the bottom of your rucksack all day, its ability to trap air might be compromised - help your sleeping bag out by giving it a good shake when you take it out of your rucksack, well before you intend to use it.
- Sleeping Mat: Lying directly on the ground (even in a sleeping bag) will guarantee you have a cold and uncomfortable night. The solution is easy - a simple barrier between you and the floor in the form of a sleeping mat will insulate you from the cold of the ground, and will also provide something more comfortable to lie on.
- Pyjamas: Not all pyjamas are created equal, and neither are we! Everyone will have a different ‘sleep temperature’ so it’s always worth packing an extra layer to sleep in if you’re a cold sleeper - make sure you keep it dry! Warm socks are a treat after a day in walking boots, and a woolly hat will make sure you don’t lose heat from your head whilst sleeping. (Your sleeping bag will probably have a hood as well for extra warmth).
- What if I’m still cold?: If you’re still cold and struggling to warm up, it might be time to deploy the camping hot water bottle. Now I’m not suggesting you pack your rubber hot water bottle from home, but if you have the right equipment, then you can make a pretty good camping version. For this you will need a Nalgene* water bottle to fill with hot water - you can then wrap it in some spare clothes and create an excellent hot water bottle to warm up your sleeping bag.
* DO NOT try this with any other water bottle, you run the risk of the plastic cracking
and leaking hot water all over your sleeping bag and more importantly you! If in
doubt, ask one of your instructors for guidance.