Braving the Cold
We’ve all noticed it by now. A chill in the air in the early mornings, the need to bring an extra layer if we’re out later in the evenings, reports of snow falling in the high country, and, if you’re me, the hail that fell in the desert a few days ago when an unexpected storm rolled through. For some, these signs of cooler weather mean it’s time to pack away the camping gear for the season and wait for warmer nights to come back around before heading back out to sleep under the stars, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Through years of winter camping, some of that in tents and some in snow caves, I’ve learned a few tricks for staying warm and cozy even in the chilliest of times. Here are a few of those that you can put to good use on your upcoming adventures.
Layers- It’s important to wear multiple layers instead of just one or two really thick pieces of clothing. For your upper body, I recommend two layers of wool shirts; these are thin and don’t add a lot of bulk while still keeping you warm and have the added bonus of not holding in odors which can really come in handy on multiple day trips. I would then add a puffy, being sure to go with a synthetic fill if you know you may get damp. On top of those you can then add a thin waterproof shell and even a hooded down puffy if you really need a little more warmth. For the lower body, a base layer of insulated tights under a pair of warm soft-shell pants and tall, wool socks will keep your lower body warm without too much bulk that prohibits movement.
Sleeping Bag- I can’t overstate the importance of having the right sleeping bag. There are a lot of factors to consider depending on what type of trip you’re doing, but one of the most important things to check is your bag’s temperature rating. Make sure your bag is rated for well below the temperature that you plan to be sleeping in. Most bags give a rating for a temperature that you can survive in with that bag, but that rating is not indicative of what temperatures you’ll be comfortable in. Overwhelmed by all of the options out there? Shoot me a message, and I'll gladly help you pick out the perfect bag for your lifestyle!
Nalgene Heaters- One of my favorite tricks for staying warm is to use my Nalgene bottles as heaters inside my sleeping bag. Fifteen minutes or so before going to bed, use your stove to boil water and fill two Nalgenes with it; don’t worry, they won’t melt! With the lids carefully tightened, place the bottles inside your sleeping bag to allow them to start warming up your bag. When it’s time to climb in, put one bottle at your feet and another next to your back. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much heat these give off all the way until morning.
Hand Warmers- Pack hand warmers to use either during the day or at night while sleeping. Just slip them inside the back of your gloves so that they rest on the top of your hands and then slide them inside your socks so that they rest on the tops of your feet. This placement allows you to still use your hands and feet without the warmers getting in the way or moving around too much.
Down Booties- I can’t tell you how amazing it feels to get to camp, slip your feet into cozy down booties, and walk around in warmth and comfort while everyone else is trying to get their boots dry and feet warm by the fire. These are a must-have for me on any camping trip where I think it may be even slightly chilly at night. Added bonus, if it’s really cold, you can even sleep with them on!
Next Day’s Clothes- Before heading to bed, go ahead and decide what clothes you’ll be wearing the next day and stick them inside the foot of your sleeping bag along with your puffy. Then when you wake up the next morning you have warm clothes to slide on before ever leaving your sleeping bag.
These are just a few of the tricks that I’ve learned for staying warm in the cooler weather so that I don’t have to stop enjoying nights outside when the temperatures drop, and I hope they help you get out there and brave the cooler nights in order to get in more time under the stars in the cooler months ahead. (Originally printed in the September 27, 2017 edition of the Montrose Daily Press)