Cold Weather Camping

Chris Gaffney & David Gaffney

Surviving the Cold

• Dress in Layers• Check the Weather• Adjust for Conditions• Ensure Equipment is Properly Maintained• Plan Ahead

Hypothermia

• Core Body Temperature drops, shivering• Combination of Temperature and time• Moisture is your enemy• First Aid– Heater if available– Warm liquids– Change out of wet clothing– Sleeping Bag with another person– Fire

Frostbite

• Exposed areas of the body freeze• First cold, then loss of feeling, eventually

affected area dies• First Aid– Warm affected areas slowly– Get out of wet clothes– Encourage blood flow

Hydration

• Keep hydrated• Burning more calories, therefore using more

water• Dehydration not obvious

COLD WEATHER EQUIPMENT

Sleeping Bags• Key Concerns– Temperature Rating

• Appropriate to climate conditions• http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/techtemp.php?

– Cost Variation: $50-1900– Construction Quality– Fit of Sleeping Bag– Weight– Type of Materials

• The Sleeping Bag is Your Best Friend • Liner

Sleeping Pad

• Types:– Air Mattress– Closed Cell Foam– Insulated

• Make Sure you pick the right type of pad for the temperature

• R-Value: Temperature Rating • Insulated Sleeping pads have a higher R-value

Transportation

• Snowshoes• Cross Country Skis• Dog Sleds• Crampons• Snowmobiles

Tents

• 3 season vs 4 season• Single Wall• Double wall• Rigidity vs weight• Colors• Chimney?

Stoves and Food

• Gas Stoves don’t work as well as liquid fuel stoves

• You will burn through more fuel per day• Your caloric intake needs to be higher than

normal

Misc. Equipment

• Ice Axes• Emergency Shovels• GPS Beacon

COLD WEATHER CLOTHING

Baselayers

• Should be made of moisture wicking fabrics

• Absolutely NO COTTON.• Traps heat close to the body• Dense Thick Material• Fabrics: Silk, Wool, Synthetics• Tops, Bottoms, Socks

Mid Layers

• Mad out of Medium Density Fabrics

• Absolutely NO COTTON.• Fabrics: Synthetics, Fleece, Wool, Down• Creates pockets of Warm Air

Boots

• Should be waterproof• Try tying laces with gloves on• Wear at least 2 pairs of heavy winter socks

when trying on to ensure a proper fit• Insulation is not necessary, but it is welcomed• Gaiters are great to keep out the snow

Outer Layers

• Windproof• Waterproof

• Absolutely NO COTTON.• Fabrics: any clothing with a

waterproof/windproof finish.• Water Resistant DWR finish vs Waterproofing

Accessories

• Hat• Gloves• Mittens: wear over gloves in extreme cold• Face Mask• Sunglasses/Goggles: Extremely Important with

snow and Ice