Clothing When winter camping, dress in layers so you can easily
adjust your clothes to regulate body moisture and temperature.
Three types of layers are considered normal : a liner layer against
your skin (longjohns), an insulation layer (fleece), and a water-
and wind- proof outer shell. Your boots should have waterproof
outer shells such as oiled leather or plastic. Even though fabric
and leather boots may have Gore-tex linings, the outer layers will
absorb water which will eventually freeze, placing a block of ice
next to your foot. Protect against heat loss through your head by
wearing a toboggan, balaclava, etc. Over half of your body heat can
be lost through your head. One saying goes, "If your feet are cold,
put on a hat." Do not wear too many pairs of socks. If the blood
flow to your feet becomes constricted, your feet will get cold
regardless of how many socks you have on. Tightening your boot
laces too tight will constrict the blood flow as well. Gaiters will
keep snow, rain, etc out of your boots and therefore help keep your
feet drier and warmer. Gaiters also add another layer of material
around your lower legs to help keep them warm. Another way to stay
warm in the winter is through vapor barriers. The body is always
losing water through the skin even when we are not active. This
loss is known as insensible perspiration and occurs unless the air
humidity is 70%. This insensible perspiration goes on at the rate
of nearly half a quart every 24 hours. Since it takes 580 calories
per gram to turn liquid water into water vapor, heat is continually
lost through insensible perspiration as well as through sweat from
any activity. A vapor barrier is a clothing item which is
impervious to water thereby serving as a barrier to the
transportation of water vapor. When worn near the skin it keeps
water vapor near the skin. Eventually the humidity level rises to
the point where the body senses a high humidity level and shuts off
insensible perspiration. This prevents evaporative heat loss and
slows dehydration.
Slide 3
Sleeping wise Increase the comfort range of your sleeping bag
by putting it inside of a bivy sack. Other options include cloth
liners, vapor barrier liners or space blanket bags, and doubling up
bags. Vapor barrier liners should only be used in temperatures well
below freezing. Doubling up bags should only be done if you still
have enough room to be comfortable in the bag. You also need to
insulate yourself from the underlying snow. Foam pads (Ensolite) or
inflatables (Thermarest) work well. Your insulation should be a
least 1/2 " thick (two 3/8 " summer pads work well, or use a
Thermarest on top of a 3/8 " foam pad). It best to use full length
pads so that all of your body is insulated. Going to the bathroom
before you go to sleep helps keep you warmer because you use less
energy to keep your urine warm. Don't breathe inside your sleeping
bag at night. Breathe through a stocking cap or bandana instead.
Moisture from your breath will wet your sleeping bag and reduce its
insulating ability. If someone happens to wake up very cold and
cannot get back to sleep all the people in the tent have to get up
and make a fire to keep the person who is cold warm.
Slide 4
Bathroom For maximum fecal dispersion, persons should make
personal holes as needed. There is no reason for a group's waste to
be deposited in one place. Head away from camp. Snow should be
kicked over urine stains to prevent the "yellow snow" effect.
Toilet paper can be a problem in the winter. Burning it once it has
hit the snow is very difficult. You can burn it in a tin can or
pack it out. A better idea may be to use snow or ice (although
powder snow is difficult to use).