Winter is right around the corner and if you are involved with boys scouts you're likely going to be finding yourself spending some time out of doors in the cold. That's just a fact of life! You will want your boys to learn to love camping even in winter conditions. The fastest way to spoil a boy for camping is for him to get cold!
In this month's blog post I thought I would give you all some helpful (hopefully) information to make your winter camps a little more bearable.
The idea with winter camping, especially if there is hiking, snow shoeing, or skiing involved - really any sort of activity that is going to make the body sweat - is to be able to cool and warm the core by controlling temperature with layers of clothing.
First the 3W's of winter layering. What you wear and how you wear it can make a huge difference.
- Wick - The base layer is called the wick layer. This is the next to your skin layer. Compression leggings and shirt will do wonders and repelling body moisture away from the skin and into the other layers. For feet, I have found that one pair of Moreno Wool socks and a good pair of boots works the best, but always have at least one other dry, clean pair on hand.
- Warm- This layer can be bulky. Polar fleece is a good option but in cold wet weather wool is excellent. I try and avoid cotton at all costs. When it gets wet it freezes and doesn't dry quickly. Depending on temperatures and activities, this may end up being multiple layers of clothing. One other consideration for the core is a zipper vest allowing the arms to be cooler but keeping the core warm.
- Wind - This layer is the outer shell. Preferably a water and wind resistant thin layer meant to keep moisture off the warm layer. Ski bibs for the legs work great. For the core, a think a wind breaker is best that can easily be removed.
Bedding is also critical. Being able to sleep at night is so important to a positive winter camp experience. Here are some simple things I've found to help ensure a good nights sleep.
- Closed Cell Pad- A closed cell pad doesn't allow airflow. Bridges in the winter are some of the most dangerous places to drive even when they have been cleared of snow. This is due to the airflow under the bridge creating black ice. The same concept applies to winter camping. What you sleep on needs to restrict airflow or you'll find yourself turning to black ice in the middle of the night. Cots and air mattresses are very bad ideas. A thick foam pad on top of a thin pad with a reflective side has worked well for me as shown here in these two pictures.
- Layer your bag - I always bring a polar fleece sleeping bag liner for my sleeping bag. I like to layer at night to. If I get too warm, I can remove a layer.
- Check your bag's rating - Sleeping bags are rated to be "comfortable" down to a certain temperature. The problem I have found with most of the ratings is that "comfortable" is completely subjective to each individual. I give myself at least 10 degrees of leeway. If it's a bag rated for 30 degrees, I'll assume it's "comfortable" down to 40 degrees. If it's rated for 40 degrees, I'll assume it's good down to 50 degrees, and so on.
- Mummy vs. Square - Mummy bags are great for winter camping because you can cinch the bag around your head. But mummy bags can also feel restrictive making one feel claustrophobic. There are pros and cons to both and ultimately it comes down to personal preference. The only way to really know is to try both styles in various situations to know for sure what works best for you.
- Clava - It's critical to teach the boys not to breath into their bags. The moisture from their breath will make their bags wet and freeze in the night. They should breath outside their sleeping bags. If it's bitter cold I recommend a clava shown here. It will serve to keep the head warm and the neck warm while allowing you keep you nose and face warm but bag dry.
- Knit Cap- Wear a knit cap to bed to help keep your body temperature in your bag. Most of the body's heat escapes through the head. Obviously if you are wearing a clava you won't need a knit cap.
- Store Your Stuff- In bitter cold conditions I will put my clothes in my sleeping bag with me along with my water bottle so I have something to make hot chocolate in the morning. Even the best insulated containers can freeze and waking up to frozen water when you need it is no fun. Warming the core up from the inside out is the best way to keep warm and avoid the early onset of hypothermia.
- Air It Out - Air out your bag and pad every day if you plan to camp more than one night. This is critical to a consistent good night's sleep.
Last but not least your hands and feet are so critical to keeping warm. The extremities will be the first parts of your body to feel bitter cold temperatures. I have found that mittens work best for keeping hands warm but are not very practical if you find yourself needing to use your hands to manipulate things. That is why a thin pair of neoprene work gloves are a must. There is just no getting around bringing different kinds of gloves for winter camping. The mittens to keep the fingers warm when there is down time and thin gloves to allow you to use your fingers.
There are plenty of good winter boots on the market that are reasonably priced. I have found that the socks are only as good as the boots and the boots are only as good as the socks. They need to work together for maximum comfort. The socks must stay dry. I like my Sorrel boots I have had for years. The cinch at the top just under my knee to keep deep snow from getting down inside my boots. With a good pair of Moreno wool socks, my feet stay toasty warm.
Well, that's all I have for this post. Good luck in the coming weeks as you head out into winter's playground. Who knows though... with the weather we've been having, you may want to trade your snow boots in for flip flops.
YIS - Tom Brand
The Regal Eagle
