Camping in Cold Weather

The leaves are falling, the heat is dying down, and the pools have closed. This means summertime is coming to an end, but doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy the outdoors. Camping is one of the cheapest outdoor activities you can do and it’s just down right fun. There’s nothing like setting up camp, building a fire, and sleeping outside, but when it’s cold out, there are few things you should prepare for ahead of time.

Firewood

Camping is a simple pastime, but it can be a little challenging with cold weather. One of the most important things to remember is to bring plenty of firewood with you. Fire not only wards away any unwanted creatures, it produces warmth for your campsite, serves as a way to cook your food, and is cheap entertainment. Another vital tool to bring along is an axe or some sort of cutting tool to help you cut more firewood on long cold nights.  Lastly, you should always bring fire-starting equipment just in case your fire goes out. 

Sleeping Bag

With serious cold weather you’ll need a serious sleeping bag. Sleeping bags are usually rated for various temperatures so keep that in mind when planning a camping trip for the fall or winter. For extreme conditions it’s suggested that you pack a 0° to -20° bag, and for moderately cold conditions, it’s suggested that you pack a 20° to 40° bag.  A mummy style sleeping bag is best for cold conditions. This style of bag zips up over your head, which is where you’ll lose a majority of your body heat throughout the night.  A good bag not only helps battle the risk of sickness, but also supports your sleep.

Navigation

Imagine being stranded in the freezing cold with no direction. When heading into the wilderness it’s always smart to mark certain locations like where you parked your car. With an eTrex 30x handheld GPS unit you can do just that and start your camping adventure with confidence. The new eTrex 30x has a built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows where you’re heading. The barometric altimeter also tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. You can even use it to keep an eye on changing weather conditions, just in case it gets too cold. The eTrex 30x is the perfect tool to bring along any outdoor adventure.

Camping is all about enjoying the outdoors and we hope that this has inspired you to get outside and have some fun this fall. Don’t forget to share your outdoor adventures with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and use hashtag #HaveNoLimits. 

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