Ep: 13 Surviving the Chill: Why Winter Camping Isn't for Beginners

[@toml.8210]

IMO, most of the problems are from attitude. Beginners think winter camping is like going from a warm house to school or the mall, or shoveling the driveway or going snow-skiing. You put on a winter jacket, a cap and (maybe) some gloves, then you go out for a short time, and if you get cold, you go back in the house. They think (in the woods) you just pick up some (frozen) sticks and make a fire, and you stand in front of the fire to get warm. Then, you set up a lightweight summer backpacking tent (in the dark,) get in your $50 surplus sleeping bag, and sleep warmly as if you were at home. That's not to forget you might not be able to cook food or easily make hot water, so you might need to bring cold meals like chocolate bars or GORP. Many camping areas don't allow open wood fires, or cut branches from standing trees. So radiant heat for a tent is not available! I spend the whole morning preparing my sleeping area, then the cooking area, and snack all day long. I've spent weekends in -40F temperatures in northwest Ohio.. But winter camping is possible if you get the right advice from real experts.

[@honorableoutfitters]

Well said! Some of the best stories of camping have come from winter camp and truthfully I sleep better in the cold!