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What You Need to Know for Winter Camping

Map and Compass

Two of the most important items to have on a trek, especially when snow or bad weather may obscure the trail or your destination. Know how to use them, and don't rely solely on GPS.

Food and Drink

Because of low temperatures and high calorie-burn activities, such as staying warm and enjoying outdoor activities, energy-dense food and warm drinks are critical to any successful winter camping trip. Here's what you should bring:

Carbohydrates: At least 50 percent of your food should be carbs, because they are easiest to convert into energy, which helps your body stay warm.

Fat: About 30 percent of your camping food should be rich in fats. Fatty foods take the longest to convert into simple sugars that can be used to generate heat, however they enable you to produce heat over a longer period of time.

Protein: Only 20 percent of your camping meals should be protein when winter camping. These foods help satisfy hunger and repair muscle tissue that may easily get worn down during your favorite outdoor activities.

Liquids: It's hard to think about drinking water when you're surrounded by snow, still, you can get dehydrated and not realize it. To stay hydrated when winter camping, make warm, good-tasting drinks, like cocoa, warm lemonade, hot cider or soup. And always take plenty of water on the trail.

Check Access

While you're going for the snow, double check to see if your favorite spot is actually open before you go. Regions where the snowpack is too deep might be off limits and you don't want to be disappointed by a "Closed" sign.

Important Note

Be alert for hypothermia when winter camping. Should someone become very cold or lethargic, or if their speech becomes thick and slow, they may be in danger of hypothermia. Stop and set up camp immediately. Get the person into a sleeping bag and give them a warm drink as quickly as possible. If they don't warm up, put another person in the bag with them, ideally in very few clothes. Hypothermia can be deadly, so be sure you recognize the signs before you hit the trail.

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