Many may think of camping as a periodic or seasonal exhibition that can only occur during the summer. But as a matter of fact, that is not true. Camping is diverse and can take place anytime. It is simply an outdoor activity that involves an overnight stay away from home. You can camp anytime; it doesn’t matter what season of the year it is. It can also be a means to connect with nature while disconnecting from technology and civilization.
Although Winter camping is a bit challenging and can pose a lot of risks, especially when you do not come along with the necessary tools and equipment to shield you from the extreme cold. Camping during the winter means you have to keep warm, which means wearing and bringing clothes or gear that can protect you from severe weather conditions.
There are certain essential equipment and gear that can be considered crucial when camping in the winter, which are:
·      A four seasons tent
Also known as a thermal tent, is one of the most essential camping gear you should always pack when camping in extreme weather conditions. Thermal tents are designed to be sturdy and strong; they feature rigid shapes and pole geometries that allow them to overcome substantial snow loads and strong winds.
Keeping yourself warm in extreme weather conditions should be your priority if not you stand the chance of getting frostbite and hypothermia. Your tent serves as your shelter and protective measure against the elements.
·      Roof-top tent
A roof tent is another essential accessory that may be fitted to the roof of a motor vehicle which allows you to sleep in relative safety and comfort of your vehicle. One of the main features of rooftop tents is that they keep you away from the ground while offering a ton of internal free space to move freely.
One of the key advantages of sleeping on a rooftop tent during the winter is that you don’t have to worry about sleeping on the cold floor or about Moisture from below getting into your tent. They are well-insulated to keep heat inside, although they cannot completely protect you from the element, so it is your job to provide heat inside the tent.
·      Insulated sleeping pad
This is another essential winter camping accessory that serves as a barrier between you and the freezing ground. The purpose of a sleeping pad is to provide padding and thermal insulation, keeping you warm at night during the winter.
You are advised to pick up sleeping pads with high R-values for your winter camping expeditions (the higher the R-value, the more insulation from the ground a pad offers).
A sleeping pad can be used along with a four-winter tent or a rooftop tent to keep you from freezing up.
·      Stove Platform
Lastly, it is important to make provision for some heating platforms like a gas burner or a stove. Apart from using the stove as a heat source to cook your meals, it can also be used as a heat source to keep you warm. This is a very piece of equipment that is required to enjoy an adventurous camping experience as they are easy to carry and use.
When camping in the winter, there is no access to food, and typically anything you might want to eat could be frozen or uncooked, so it is important to have a good stove platform.
 How Do You Stay Warm During The Winter?
Keeping yourself warm is very important while camping. You do not want to expose yourself to the outdoor cold, which could be very dangerous.
Here are some step-by-step formats to keep your body warm in the blistering cold.
·      Dress in layers
It is important to dress your tent so that there are multiple layers, including base layers, mid-layers, and top layers. Doing this would give you an edge and an upper hand in controlling and regulating your body temperature.
It is essential to avoid sweating because as it dries, sweat cools, wrapping you in a cold cocoon. You can manage your body heat by constantly adding and subtracting layers that help you prevent sweating.
·      Use hot water bottle in core region.
Hot water bottles can also come in handy in keeping you warm in the cold by placing them on your toes and around your sleeping area. It is a trusted and effective way to manage your body temperature, preventing you from freezing up in the tent.
Note – when dealing with a hot water bottle, it is important to take caution so as not to burn yourself, and ensure to secure the lid to prevent leaks.
Drink and eat a lot
During the winter or in the presence of excessive cold, your body tends to burn a lot of calories to keep itself warm, so you need to eat constantly. It is important to make provisions for enough meals. Eat high-fat and high-protein foods as they burn slower than high-carb meals
Also, you would need to stay hydrated to avoid loss of consciousness and to keep your body functioning in the cold.
·      Use head warmers, heated gloves, and heated boots
Keep yourself warm by using head warmers and winter gloves and heated boots, as they keep you protected from the elements.
When camping, you have to understand that you don’t have the luxury of using your home heater, so you must take the necessary steps to keep yourself warm properly.
·      Portable electric heaters and fueled-powered heat source
This is a small electrical device that converts electric current into heat. It is an effective measure to keep your tents warm. If you follow the proper safety precautions, you can safely use electric or fuel-powered heat sources.
There are even electric-powered heaters that measure the amount of oxygen in the tent and when the oxygen level is too low, it turns off.
Conclusion
There are a couple of accessories to help overcome the extreme weather and ensure you have a great camping experience in the cold. Keeping yourself warm should be your major priority when camping in the winter at Rooftoptent.ca. We sell affordable high-quality camping gear and accessories. Click here to purchase.