November is here and the cold of winter is right on its heels. For adventurers brave enough to take on the snow and ice, here are some tips to enjoy winter camping.
- Before you head on your tip, tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. If you’re planning on camping at a primitive site, bring a friend with you. You never know what could happen and getting caught in a winter storm by yourself is not ideal.
- If you’re in a national or state park and you’re planning on going on a hike, check in at the visitor’s center and tell a park ranger where you’re going. When you’ve finished your hike, stop back in and let them know that you’re heading back to your campsite. If you end up getting lost or stranded on top of a mountain, keeping people informed of your location makes a big difference.
- Layer, layer, layer. Wearing the proper clothes is extremely important when spending time outdoors in the winter. Start out with a lightweight layer of clothes, choosing fabrics that are good at wicking away moisture. Next is insulation. Pile fleece sweaters and down jackets and top with a waterproof shell for both top and bottom. Make sure you’ve got a second pair of socks to wear that will keep your toes frostbite free.