Winter Camping Checklist

I know most people see “winter camping” and they quickly run in the opposite direction. I get it. The cold and unpredictable weather make winter camping sound like something only crazy people do. However, if you just stop to think about it for a second, winter camping has a lot of benefits. Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you have to put the tent away. Winter camping means fewer crowds, fewer (or no) bugs, no need for a cooler, and simply feeling alive! After you go unprepared on winter camping trip for the first time and spend a night chattering your teeth off in your sleeping bag, you’ll realize just how much you take for granted the simple comforts of your everyday life like having a warm, dry place to lay your head every night. 

1. Insulation

Without a doubt, this is the most important piece of enjoying 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 underlayers (long johns and wool socks)
-Warm outerwear (sweater, pants, vest, jacket)
-Hat and gloves
-Inflatable sleeping pad (cushion of air beneath you helps trap heat)
-Cold-rated sleeping bag (make sure it’s rated beyond the low temperatures you’re expecting)
-Space blanket (just in case)

2. Fire

It’s hard to stay warm outside when you are camping in the winter time if you don’t have a fire. Heck! It’s hard to stay warm even in the summer, especially if you are camping at higher elevations, so you always want to carry backups in case one source of fire does not work. You need:

-Matches or lighter
-Waterproof container
-Firestarter (flint or something similar)

3. Shelter

Either a tent or hammock will get the job done. I’m personally a huge fan of hammock camping because it’s all around a lot more comfortable, easier to carry and set up, and can be rigged above ground you otherwise wouldn’t want to put a tent. If take a hammock winter camping, however, you should make sure you have a fully enclosed hammock so you aren’t exposed to the cold wind/air and can stay better insulated sleeping in it at night.

4. Repair Kit & Tools

You never know when something might break or go wrong so always have a repair kit and some tools nearby to patch up gear or jury-rig another tool. You should have:

-Knife or multitool
-Kits for your camp stove, tent, and sleeping pad.
-Duct tape

5. First Aid Kit

Being exposed to the elements and far 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 excellent First Aid Kit Checklist and here you can shop one of Amazon’s best travel first aid kits.

6. Illumination

Let’s face it, it’s dark a lot in the winter time, especially in the more northern parts of North America so illumination is necessary when your big cozy fire is not sufficient. You should have:

-Headlamp (for anything that requires two hands)
-Backup flashlight
-Backup batteries

7. Hydration

For the sake of not lugging tons of heavy water around on your trip, invest in a good water filtration system and simply refill your water bottles in a nearby stream or river to your campsite. Another option, if there’s a decent amount of snow on the ground, is to bring some snow to a rolling boil and hold it there for one minute to purify it.

8. Sun protection

If there’s snow on the ground and it’s sunny, your exposure to UV rays is even higher than laying on a beach in Hawaii. Snow is highly reflective of the sun so keep some sunscreen, sunglasses, and SPF lip balm on hand if needed.

9. Food

Outside of your standard planned fare, it’s always wise to have an extra day’s worth 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 backups for the digital devices.

Add Comfort And Convenience To Your Camping Trip With A Pod

Camping pods are insulated huts which are designed to be just like tents but they are timber built. They usually come in arch shape, making them impressively attractive and also easy blending into the landscape and the eye as well. They eliminate struggles of erecting a tent when you go camping and they offer so many other benefits, especially when compared to the normal camping tents. The pods can vary in size, but they usually sleep four campers who wish to enjoy some luxury and enjoy security during their camping trips as well. There are so many reasons why you should consider getting a camping pod instead of a tent and they include the following.

 1. Pods eliminate the wind flapping and whip that is common with tents. This means that you will enjoy your sleep without constantly being woken.

2. When you have a pod, you are guaranteed to have a dry place to camp regardless of whether the weather decides to be damp. Considering that pods are already set up, you will only need to move in when you get to the camping site.

3. Pods offer lots of security and privacy. You no longer have to worry about your valuable even when you go away to explore the camping grounds since you can lock them up. Pods come complete with lockable doors and windows for such convenience.

4. They offer decking area when you can chill out, sunbathe and eat. You will just love the comfort pods have to offer as long as you select the right one for the kind of experience you wish to enjoy during your camping trip.

5. Most of the pods are insulated hence you are able to remain comfortably effortlessly whether it is summer or winter. You do not have to pack too many things to keep warm when headed out for a camp in a pod.

Choosing a pod

Pod manufacturers can design a bespoke pod just for you. You can also find ready-made pods to choose from to take care of your camping needs. Just like buying any other item, there are things that you should always consider when choosing camping pods.

Size – Since most are arch sized, you may not have much of an option with the shape, but you can definitely decide on the size. When looking at the size always remember headroom and floor area. Your pod should be sizeable enough to accommodate your camping needs in terms of the number of people you take for such trips.

Ventilation and insulation – They are important factors that play a role in how comfortable you remain in any kind of weather.

Price – The quality of your pod and features too can determine the price that you pay for them. Go through your options and select a pod that you can afford and love too.