When people think about camping, most of the time, they picture an idyllic summer scene near a lake or in the woods. While summer is the peak camping season, you don’t have to pack up your gear and stay at home just because there is a little snow on the ground. Winter camping can be a blast and with the right winter camping gear, you can make sure your next trip to the great outdoors is a success.
Solo camping can be a lot of fun, but during the winter, it can be particularly dangerous. Don’t go camping alone during the winter. Instead, take a friend or two along with you. Make sure that they have experience with winter camping so that they can help you out if you get into trouble.
Anytime that you go camping, you need to have a good understanding of the local terrain. Spend some time studying maps of the area so that you know where the nearest emergency services and towns are. The landscape can often look quite different in winter when it is buried beneath a blanket of snow and ice.
Weather can cause problems for any camping trip, but camping in the winter means dealing with the potential for blizzards, ice storms, and other hazards. Before you head out the door, check the weather forecast. If things seem iffy, you may want to delay your trip for a few days. Don’t just assume that the weather will clear up.
Be sure to pack the right winter camping gear. You need plenty of layers so that you do not get cold. Take clothes that provide lots of insulation. Pack dry clothes that you can change into if you get wet when you are hiking around so that you do not suffer from hypothermia.
You might think that sunburn is only something that you have to worry about on a summer day at the beach, but sunlight can be hazardous in winter as well. Snow blindness, caused by the reflection of sunlight from ice and snow, can be a real danger. Take sunscreen and sunglasses or goggles to protect your skin and eyes.
A first-aid kit is also important to take along whenever you go camping. In an emergency, you may not have time to wait for a rescue team to come and find you. Make sure that you have basic first-aid supplies, such as bandages, gauze, antihistamines, and painkillers. Refresh your knowledge of first-aid techniques before you head out into the wilderness.
Prepare yourself for emergencies. Extra food and clothing, a fire starter, and a tarp or blanket for an emergency shelter can be life-saving supplies should something unexpected happen. Make sure that you leave a trip plan with someone at home so that you can be located more quickly if you need help.
Winter camping can be a blast and with the right winter camping gear, you can make sure that your next trip into the woods is memorable for all of the right reasons.