null Avoid making camp on designated sum-
COLD
mer sites; with the heavy use they receive
throughout the prime season they are

usually far too exposed and have limited
wood for a fire. Choose a well-protected
forested area, well away from the wind and
blowing snow.
camping
null Make sure to provide a lot of ventilation in-
side the tent. Condensation will quickly form
from your breathing and cause the interior of
kEvIn CALLAn the tent to become completely covered in a
layer of fine ice particles, which will eventu-
ally melt and soak everything inside.
null For extra insulation, pile up snow around the
sides of the tent with your snowshoes or a
small plastic shovel.
null The moment you finish setting up camp,
change into an extra, dry pair of long un-
derwear and socks (keep a spare set in the
front pouch of your parka so they are nice
and warm to put on) and wear a wool toque
to bed.
null Sleep on a thick foam pad or Therm-a-Rest
(not an air mattress). Your body will defi-
>>
I’LL ADMIT THAT sleeping out overnight in the wintertime is definitely not for everyone. nitely lose more heat to the cold ground than
I’ll also admit that cold camping obviously has a number of hazards, or at least some to the air.
major discomforts. It’s understandable that the moment the sun sets and the temperature drops, null Fluff your sleeping bag (a top-of-the line,
you’re going to want to escape to a warm place. It’s human nature. I’ll even confess that the high quality winter design) before crawling
older I get, the more excuses I seem to find not to head out for my annual winter trip. In fact, in. The action creates more air space be-
lately I’ve had to have my wife call me a sissy before convincing myself to once again sleep out tween the fibers or feathers.
in frigid temperatures. The point, however, is that I still manage to do it and always end up loving null Use a liner to increase the efficiency of your
every minute. So I guarantee that, as long as you develop the necessary skills and pack along the sleeping bag. Or better yet, double up two
essential equipment, your first time sleeping out in the cold definitely won’t be your last. sleeping bags and share your warmth with
a partner.
null Munch on high-calorie snacks just before
The trick is to dress in layers. Start off during the
bedtime warming
bedtime. The fuel your body has to burn off
cold morning temperatures looking like a walk-
techniques
will help you stay warmer.
ing puffball if you like, but as you generate heat null If you find yourself shivering inside your
through exercise, peel off the layers to avoid The trick to keeping warm in the winter is to sleeping bag, put on your rain gear to act as
having your sweat freeze to your skin. The outer never sweat, and the only way to do that is to a vapor barrier and hold in your body heat.
layer should not be the main insulator; save that always dress in layers. null Keep an empty (well-labeled) water bottle
job for the bulky wool sweater or fleece and syn- You will rarely have difficulty staying warm inside the tent to pee in. A full bladder robs
thetic long underwear. The breathable”outerwear during the day on the trail, but the night air the body of more heat than an empty one;
(jacket and pants) should protect your body brings a bone-numbing chill. Here are a few and besides, who wants to crawl out into
from the cool wind, and should come equipped ways to keep yourself more comfortable: the cold night air to relieve themselves at
with an assortment of zippers to allow quick null Daylight is greatly shortened during winter 2 a.m.?
ventilation. A foot wrapped in 10 pairs of socks and it usually takes much longer to set up null Store your water bottle inside your sleep-
and then squeezed into a tightfitting boot will camp, so be prepared to end the day early. ing bag to keep it from freezing solid. Even a
definitely freeze due to poor circulation. You Nalgene container filled with hot tea doubles
also can lose up to one third of your body heat as a hot-water bottle. Also stuff the next
through your head, so make sure to wear a hat. day’s clothes, and especially boot liners,
The traditional woolen toques or the new, softer inside the bag as well.
Polarplus beanies work, but in extreme cold
temperatures a balaclava, made from the same
material as your long underwear, is preferred. From The Happy Camper: An Essential Guide to Life Outdoors, by
Neck gaiters made from Polarplus fabric help to Kevin Callan. Copyright 2005 Kevin Callan. Published by Boston
seal the gap between collars and caps. Mills Press. Distributed by Firefly Books. $24.95. Reprinted with
permission. www.fireflybooks.com
10 OTTAWA >> WINTER 2007/2008 www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
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