I know that most people see “winter camping” and quickly run in the opposite direction. I get it. Cold and unpredictable weather makes winter camping sound like something only crazy people do. However, if you stop to think about it for a second, winter camping has many benefits. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you have to put your tent away. Winter camping means fewer crowds, fewer (or no) bugs, no need for a cooler, and just feeling alive! After being unprepared for a winter camping trip for the first time and spending a night chattering your teeth in your sleeping bag, you’ll realize how much you take for granted the simple comforts of your everyday life, like having a warm and dry. lay my head down every night.
I went winter camping several times in Alaska, where I grew up, and they were certainly memorable, to say the least. I’ll never forget the time I hiked up Flattop Mountain, a popular destination in the Anchorage area (learn more here), and camped at the top in the dead of winter. Even with a space blanket, a very expensive sleeping bag, long johns, a beanie, and the warmest sweater and sweatpants my teenage money could buy, I still froze my ass all night. I swore I would never do that again.
The reality is that winter camping is certainly its own kind of animal. Most people don’t winter camp just for the hell of it. Instead, it’s usually just one aspect of pursuing other epic winter outdoor adventures, such as backcountry skiing, winter hunting (for example, deer or elk), or mountain climbing. With this in mind, we’ve compiled this winter camping checklist to ensure your safety, survival, and basic comfort in the elements. Stay safe friends!
1. Isolation
Without a doubt, this is the most important piece to enjoy your winter camping trip. Humans don’t naturally do well in cold climates, so staying warm is essential to survival. You should have the following:
-Warm underwear (long johns and wool socks)
-Outerwear (jersey, pants, vest, jacket)
-Hat and gloves
-Inflatable sleeping pad (air mattress under you helps trap heat)
-Cold resistant sleeping bag (make sure it is rated beyond the low temperatures you expect)
-Space blanket (just in case)
2.Fire
It’s hard to stay warm outside when you’re camping in the winter if you don’t have a fire. Hell! It’s hard to keep warm even in the summer, especially if you’re camping at higher elevations, so you’ll always want to bring backup in case a fire source doesn’t work. You need:
-Matches or lighter
-Waterproof container
-Firestarter (flint or something similar)
3. Shelter
A tent or hammock will do the job. Personally, I’m a big fan of hammock camping because it’s so much more comfortable, easier to transport and set up, and can be pitched above ground, otherwise you wouldn’t want to put up a tent. However, if you do take a hammock for winter camping, you should make sure you have a fully enclosed hammock so that you are not exposed to wind/cold air and can stay better insulated by sleeping in it at night.
4. Repair kit and tools
You never know when something might break or go wrong, so always have a repair kit and some tools nearby to repair equipment or prepare another tool. You should:
-Knife or multitool
-Kits for your camping stove, tent and mat.
-Scotch tape
5. First aid kit
Being exposed to the elements and away from any hospital means a higher risk of injury and complications from that injury, so keep a first aid kit with you at all times. REI, put together this great First Aid Kit Checklist and here you can buy one of the best Amazon Travel First Aid Kits.
6. Lighting
Let’s face it, it’s dark a lot in the winter, especially in the northernmost parts of North America, so lighting is necessary when your big cozy fire just isn’t enough. You should:
-Headlamp (for anything that requires two hands)
-backup flashlight
-Backup batteries
7. Hydration
To avoid carrying tons of heavy water on your trip, invest in a good water filtration system and simply refill your water bottles from a nearby stream or river. Another option, if there is a decent amount of snow on the ground, is to bring some of the snow to a boil and hold it there for a minute to purify it.
8. Sun protection
If there’s snow on the ground and it’s sunny, your UV exposure is even greater than that found on a Hawaiian beach. Snow reflects a lot of the sun, so keep sunscreen, sunglasses, and SPF lip balm on hand if needed.
9.Food
Aside from your planned standard fare, it’s always wise to have an extra day of food just in case. Winter camping means burning a lot more calories to stay warm, so keeping backup rations is never a bad idea.
10. Navigation
Have some backups other than the phone. Chances are you won’t even have cell reception, so make sure you have a map and compass as backup for digital devices.