Do you have any tips for a beginner winter camper?

backpack camping gear checklist image

Simba

I would like to try winter camping. I have been summer camping quite a bit but mostly just at campgrounds. There is a campground about an hour away that has year round camping so I was thinking about trying it for a weekend. What tips to you have for a beginner winter camper, who has intermediate summer camping experience? What gear would I need? This is what I was thinking.
4 Season tent
Winter sleeping bag
Snow shoes
Warm winter clothes
What am I missing? Any additional tips?

Answer
tons of info on the web, here is the most intensive one I have found and refer to the most.
http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/winter/wintcamp.shtml

As for your list of gear some of that partly depends on where you are. Winter camping in the desert you won't need snow shoes but all the rest of those items yes you will. For a beginner I recommend starting out by renting a cabin in a wilderness area that way you have options to retreat too should plans go awry.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recreation/rec_rentals.html

Tents are the main place to retreat to and a four season is the best to use, size is also very important. if you have 2 go with a 3-4 man, 4 go with a 6 man and so on. You need to have room for the gear to stash out of the weather. Include a tarp to use for rain shelter and wind breaks, not all winter camping has snowy weather. Coleman makes one of the best winter tents on the market, Exponent Northstar X6 Tent
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00697792000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4&isABTestAvl=true

Clothing is critical and dress in layers, avoid cotton here is a great article telling you how and what to look for,
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/dress+layers.html

As for winter sleeping bags, definitely go with a well known product rated for zero degrees or colder. Down filled bags ounce for ounce keep you the warmest however and this is very important when they get wet they become useless hypothermia freezers. I consider the weight factor and survival factor and choose the synthetic over down every time. Here is my choice,
http://www.rei.com/product/778929/marmot-trestles-0-sleeping-bag

Always use a check list so you don't forget gear and here is a good one,
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpacking+checklist.html

Ideas for a Wilderness Exploration summer camp area?

Frolf970

I'm working at a summer camp and a friend of mine is in charge of the "wilderness exploration" area. W.E. (wilderness exploration), traditionally involves teaching kids about things and concepts associated with camping outside, and usually there are several camping trips organized for outside of the camp, We have been brainstorming some ideas to teach, like leather work, camping and cooking, orientation, and other general stuff. I was just wondering if you could give us some good ideas to teach the kids and get them involved. Some fun activities, concepts, exercises, arts and crafts, etc. Everything from camping to nature or whatever! Thanks guys!

Answer
Teaching ideas:

1] Plant and animal communities and zones: montaine, alpine, tundra form areas for distinctive species.

2] Energy production in various communities: wetlands produce more plant and animal densities than dry forests or deserts.

3] Firestarting without matches. [Look at my favorite: StrikeForce spark generator with lint dipped in petroleum jelly or high-potency alcohol.]

4] Explore campfire cooking recipes and techniques.

5] Evaluate gear checklists for various wilderness trips.

6] Compare types of gear and their qualities for wilderness backpacking.

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