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WASATCH MOUNTAINS — Winter camping is both an appealing and intimidating idea for many people. There are few crowds, and the peaceful beauty of remote outdoor locations blanketed in snow is hard to beat. That said, winter camping can be very cold and a lot more planning and preparation is required to recreate safely and warmly.
Types of snowpacking
- Hiking: If there are only a couple inches of snow on the ground, normal hiking will be doable. More snow, however, will warrant snowshoes, skis or a snowmobile.
- Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing is a lot like hiking and is a great way to safely walk over the snow and help you keep traction as you go up steeper terrain.
- Cross-Country Skiing: Mellow terrain and long hikes across flat-moderately inclined landscapes may warrant the utilization of cross-country skis. An efficient and fun means of cruising long distances, cross-country skiing is a great way to get from destination to destination on a snowpacking excursion.
- Downhill skiing and Snowboarding: If your snowpacking trip is going to be a backcountry skiing trip, there are a few ways to get around. One is to purchase skins (and in the case of a snowboarder, a split board) and use those when climbing hills, then skiing down. Alternatively, snowshoes are a great way to walk up hills and can be traded out for skis or a snowboard when going downhill.
- Snowmobiling: Snowmobiles are quick and fun ways to delve into the backcountry and get to some of nature’s quietest and least disturbed locations.
Setting up camp in the snow
When first reaching your camping destination, take some time to identify the right spot for you. This can make a big difference in how warm you’ll be overnight. REI identified some guidelines for picking a campsite:
- Find a location that naturally blocks wind, like within a group of trees or behind a hill.
- Look for a spot that will be exposed to the sunrise as early as possible to help you warm up more quickly.
- Identify landmarks to help you find your campsite again in the event of an evening snowstorm. Identify the avalanche risk surrounding your tent and ensure you’re not in a slide zone.
- Find whether there’s a water source close by, or if you’ll need to take the time to melt snow.
Once a good spot to set up a tent has been identified, next you’ll need to actually set up your tent:
- Pack down the snow first with your boots and snowshoes to make it as flat and compact as possible. This will not only make sleeping more comfortable, but it’ll also help prevent it from melting underneath you and creating a cold and wet sleeping environment.
- Build a wall around your tent to block wind if it’s a blustery day.
- Stake your tent down securely with snow stakes. Normal tent stakes generally won’t cut it in keeping your tent battened down.
- Keep sharp items far away from your tent, as a rip in the fabric on a stormy day could be catastrophic.
- Set up your winter kitchen: use a tarp or floorless tent to create a little shelter in case it’s snowy or windy when you want to prepare food. Dig out an area to stand up in, and even create little tables out of the snow to place equipment and food on as you cook.
What kind of gear should you bring?
It goes without saying that the necessary gear for camping in the winter is quite different from other seasons. Here are some suggestions for appropriate gear decisions:
- Clothes: Layers, layers, layers. Start with light base layers, then a midweight layer, and a fleece or warm jacket over that. It’s always a good idea to wear waterproof shells over both pants and jackets to keep from getting other layers wet. A puffy coat, hat and gloves are also good ideas in case temperatures drop.
- Tent: Be sure to have a 3-season tent at the very least, and a 4-season tent if snow and wind are expected. Make sure there’s minimal mesh and that it has a rainfly to keep moisture out.
- Sleeping Pad: While sleeping pads make camping more comfortable, they also provide great insulation. They keep some distance between you and the cold ground below and will help in retaining body heat. Make sure to get a sleeping pad with an R-value of at least 4.
- Sleeping bag: Ensure that your sleeping bag is rated to at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit colder temperatures than you expect. Winter campers in Utah tend to like using sleeping bags rated down to 0 degrees. If you’re concerned your bag isn’t warm enough, consider getting a sleeping bag liner.
Other tips to improve your winter camping experience
- Eat a lot of food before going to bed, as your body generates heat as you digest.
- Don’t sleep in a hammock as it is extremely difficult to stay warm if it’s windy or snowy.
- Always have a heat source. At the very least bring a backpacking stove for hot meals, but also consider bringing materials to make a fire with. You might need it to melt snow for water, make food, or if you need a quick way to get dry in the event of a fall into water.
- Fill a bottle with hot water to create a small heater.
- Fill your tent’s floor space for extra insulation. It can be hard to warm up the interior of a tent with a lot of open space, so fill it with your backpack and gear to help heat things up more quickly. Also, consider putting waterproof layers between your sleeping bag and the ground to provide extra protection from the cold.
- Do sit-ups or crunches in your sleeping bag before going to sleep to pump out more body heat and warm yourself up before sleeping.
