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Cold Weather Tips The most important thing to remember about colder weather camping is to KEEP DRY. Moisture will reduce the insulating properties of almost everything. To keep yourself warm, remember the word COLD. C keep yourself and your clothes CLEAN. O avoid OVERHEATING. L wear clothes LOOSE and in LAYERS. D keep DRY. FOAM SLEEPING PAD: you must have one to insulate yourself from the cold ground. Air mattresses and cots will allow cold air under you. For more extreme temperatures use 2 mats. SLEEPING BAGS: A mummy bag rated below the expected temperature you're camping in is preferred. They are warmer than a rectangular one, as there is less air space for your body to heat. If you only have a rectangular bag, there are some ways to make the bag more insulated to keep you warmer. **You can slip 2 bags inside each other. **A bag liner made from an old blanket, preferably wool, also fleece, will greatly enhance the bag's warmth. **Use an extra blanket to pack around your shoulders in the opening to keep air from getting in. Remember, in the outdoors, its important to insulate from the ground up, having more layers under you than over you. SLEEPWEAR: polypropylene long johns or fleece under thick sweats are great. All clothes should be LOOSE FITTING! Loose fitting wool socks, a stocking or ski cap along with a hooded sweatshirt will keep head and neck warm. All daytime clothes are removed and changed before bed. Place the next day's clothes inside the foot of your bag to have them warm in the morning. In extreme tmeperatures, place boots inside small plastic bag and put into sleeping to prevent them from freezing. DO NOT SLEEP WITH YOUR HEAD INSIDE THE BAG. Doing so will increase the humidity in the bag that will reduce the insulation properties of the bag and increase dampness. IF YOU'RE DAMP, YOU'RE COLD! Plan to dress in layers. Wear several layers of lighter clothing instead of one heavy layer. This way, you can better regulate the amount of insulation. Layers trap warm air better than one heavy sweater. If you get warm , you can take layers off and add some more clothing layers if you get cold. Don't wait until you are cold to put on more clothing. Act when you first begin to feel cool. Keep yourself dry, both from the weather and perspiration. Clothes should fit LOOSE. If your toes get cold, put on a hat! Shirt or inner layer Sweater, light jacket Wind or rain gear Long, thermal underwear, polyproplene Pants that can protect from wind or rain Socks: insulating socks preferred, wool or wool blend - bring extras to change if toes get cold Footwear: hiking boots (sneakers are not as insulated) Warm hat, gloves or mittens Cotton is not recommended for cold weather! Wool or synthetics work better. They will wick moisture away from skin. Cotton stays damp by skin. This also means jeans are not the best choice for outdoors. Remember, IF YOU'RE DAMP, YOU'RE COLD! Prepare, stay warm and have fun. |
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