Cold Weather Camping Tips
Clothing
Proper dress for cold weather camping is an absolute must for
keeping warm and dry in order to have an enjoyable camping experience.
Remember, we can't go "inside" when we get chilly like
we do at home. We will be out in the cold the entire time while
camping. It is better to have more clothes than you need than to
need them and not have them.
Bring a nice winter coat in case it is needed for the evenings.
Layer like an onion to stay warm and comfortable.
For this system to work, it's imperative that each piece of clothing
be sufficiently large so that every item can be worn at once, in
any order, in the worst of conditions.
When you're active, wear only those layers needed to stay comfortable.
As you cool down, add a layer. If you feel yourself heating up,
simply remove a layer before you start to sweat.
Hat...A MUST!!!
Bring a knit hat or a very warm hat as you can loose from 50 to
70 percent of your body heat through an uncovered head. This is
especially true when sleeping. If it is cold, wear the knit hat
to bed.
Hands
Bring some mittens or gloves in case you get cold. They will really
feel good while at the campfire.
Feet
Bring extra socks. It seems that our boys can find any mud puddle
within two miles, then "accidently" step in it.
Sleeping
Bedding
Sleeping bags seem to work better than blankets in the cold. You
don't need an expensive sleeping bag to start with. Good quality
bags can be purchased at Walmart, Accademy and Just Camp for about
$20 - $25. The typical 30 degree bag (4 pounds of insulation) is
a great all season bag. But remember, even though it says it is
good to 30 dgrees, I have found that is not really the case. Bring
a nice warm blanket to wrap inside the sleeping bag, it will keep
you much warmer.
Do not sleep with your head under the covers. Doing so will increase
the humidity in the bag that will reduce the insulation properties
of the bag and increase dampness.
Remember to air out your sleeping bag and tent, when weather permits.
Perspiration and breath condense in the tent at night and the water
will reduce insulating properties of your bag.
The best sleeping bag in the world is worthless if you don't insulate
yourself from the ground. You should have at least twice the insulation
under you as on top since the material is flattened and loses much
of the insulating properties when you lay on it.
If you use an air mattress, you still need to insulate yourself
from the cold. Air mattresses are comfortable but cold. Use a sleeping
pad of closed cell foam or two or three blankets on top of the air
mattress.
You can get a foam sleeping pad for as little as $10 which work
great.
Clothing for Sleeping
Always change into dry clothing before you go to bed. Put on dry
clothing or pajamas before entering the sleeping bag.
Wear a hat to keep your head warm and reduce heat loss.
And again, wear a knit hat to bed to keep from losing heat through
the top or your head. You can also wear a loose fitting hooded pull
over type sweatshirt to sleep in.
Cold feet make it difficult to sleep. Wear two pairs of thick,
dry socks and a pair of thickly-insulated sleeping booties.
Put a hand warmer (in a sock) at the foot of your sleeping bag
before getting into it.
Before you get out of bed bring the clothes you plan to wear inside
your bag and warm them up some before dressing. You can also place
them in the foot of your sleeping bag for additional insolation
and they will be warm in the morning.
Oklahoma Average Temperatures
| |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Avg. High |
48° |
54° |
64° |
74° |
78° |
87° |
92° |
92° |
84° |
75° |
62° |
51° |
| Avg. Low |
26° |
31° |
40° |
50° |
58° |
67° |
71° |
70° |
62° |
51° |
40° |
30° |
|
