Many of you out there have probably had at least some experience camping. Whether your parents once dragged you to a K.O.A. or you go every year with family or friends, you know the basic ins and outs. But have you ever thought about hitting the trails outside of June, July and August? Even if you never considered it, here are a few reasons why you may want to, and a quick guide to the types of things you'll need to bring and what to be prepared for.
Why go snow?
1). Have you ever run wildly around a campsite with your arms flinging in all directions knocking anything over in your path all while yelling "Did you see the size of that thing?!" because you had just encountered the largest bee/bug/spider/etc. that you've ever seen in your life? Well one of the greatest things about snow is this; no bugs. If you head out for a weekend in the snow, you'll enjoy hornet, mosquito, and deerfly-free camping. Now that's what I'm talking about.
2). Most women out there probably know a few guys who like to get a little over zealous when it comes to things like gasoline, matches, and firewood. If you've always feared that your boyfriend/hubby/brother/etc. will single-handedly burn down an entire state park or otherwise, then snow camping may also be for you. There's no fire regulations, no burn bans, and no possible way they're going to burn down a campsite covered in snow. And, contrary to popular but often fallible belief, it isn't all that difficult to find firewood in the snow (just remember to respect any regulations on cutting and gathering wood).
3). I'll be honest. To me, the best part about camping is being away from people. That means avoiding the state-park crowds, the rowdy parties, and the crying toddlers. But if you've gone camping in the summer months before, you're probably well aware that this is rather hard to get away from. This is one of the biggest advantages to snow camping; no crowds! Once the snow falls, these fair-weather campers usually hide indoors, leaving a vast world of beautiful views and pristine, unlittered ground for the sleeping. For anyone that enjoys unblazed trails and quiet seclusion, braving the winter months may just be worth the effort.
What do I need?
First, it's probably a good idea to do some extensive research on the topic. Unlike summer months, the cold can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Your local library is a great place to start. While a plethora of modern camping equipment is available, with new innovations seemingly every day, knowing what to buy can be difficult. Here are a few of the basics you'll need to budget for:
Clothing
Avoid cotton. Period. Cotton sucks heat away from the body when it gets wet, and takes a long time to dry. Stick with wool and synthetic materials which will still keep you warm if you get wet because, lets face it, if you're out in the snow, you're going to get wet.
Stick with mittens, not gloves. Separating your fingers makes it harder for your body to keep them warm. Good old fashioned mittens are the best option for your hands.
Snow boots are of course a must, but make sure yours have a removable liner, otherwise drying out any accidental wetness will be an impossible task.
Equipment
The one thing to remember when buying a tent is that the more expensive one isn't usually that much better. Most of the time, the $500 tent is only marginally better than the $50 tent. Don't waste the money; any decent four-season tent with a rain fly will do.
When choosing a sleeping bag, make sure you check the temperature rating, meaning at what temperature the bag will no longer be able to keep you warm. For example, a -20 degree sleeping bag will keep the user warm when it is -20 degrees or warmer out. If it will be much colder than that, a different bag will be needed. As long as they are rated for the same temperature, any cost differences between bags are usually only the result of weight and pack size. Choose a bag based on your own snow-camping needs.
For anyone who plans to go camping in the wintertime, a traditional camping stove is a nice accessory, as it will be needed to melt snow for water and for cooking. An indispensable accessory, however, is a "Trailstove", which is a lightweight (only a pound) and packable stove that runs on wood instead of gas. This is an absolute must in case of emergencies or unexpected problems with traditional gas.
In addition
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the basics of avalanches. Beware of steep slopes without trees, and avoid these areas whenever possible. If you must pass through one of these areas, make sure you cross slowly and carefully, and do not rush unless an avalanche has begun. If you're in a group, cross individually, as you will need the other members to bring you to safety should an avalanche occur.
Lastly, make sure you carry a good topographical map as you may have to take alternate routes, and always tell someone where you are going to be and when you should be expected back; your life may depend on it!
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