Camping For Beginners - Tips For Cool Weather Camping
I previously posted the first blog in a series on camping for beginners about selecting a tent. Now you are ready right? You've put off camping in the hot days of summer in favor of cooler fall temperatures, smaller crowds and fewer irritating insects. I can't blame you because summer camping can be a challenge. For me, camping in the fall is the best. Often the forrest is full of color and many of natures animals are busy getting ready for winter. However, camping in the fall when the temperatures drop significantly at night can present some challenges. Here are a few tips to meet those challenges. Read on! Don't forget to subscribe!
Fire it up
A campfire is essential to camping in the fall. Go prepared to burn plenty of firewood. Around the campfire is where the day comes together. This is where everyone gathers after or during dinner to catch up on the day, news or whatever else comes to mind. This is when the song-birds and story-tellers shine most. In my opinion the campfire is the centerpiece of camping and being outdoors with family and friends makes it even better. Plan to have plenty of firewood to fight off the chill at night and early mornings. A warm fire on a cool 40 degree night can make the difference between a 7pm and 12am bedtime. So fire it up and enjoy the flickering flames. Whenever possible, I like to start a campfire without an artificial fuel like lighter fluid. I prefer to watch it build organically and begin with kindling as a base but you can use small starter logs to get your fire started as well. If you must use charcoal lighter fluid, be safe. These items will help get your campfire going and provide a good base:
Sleeping Bag Selection
This will likely be one of your larger investments but choosing wisely will contribute to enjoying your fall camping trip. You'll need a sleeping bag that is rated for the conditions in which you will be camping. Usually a sleeping bag rated from 0 to 20 degrees will be sufficient for fall camping. I use a 750 fill Goose Down sleeping bag. It serves as my backpacking bag as well as car camping. Down compresses well and is very light. Just remember that down should be kept dry. It looses its insulating properties if it gets very wet. Synthetic material is more forgiving but is more bulky. If you are car camping just plan to bring extra blankets to add to your sleeping kit should your bag not do the job adequately. I know that accumulating camping gear can be pricey when your are just starting to acquire all the basics. I take that into consideration in this blog so take a look at this economical option:
Sleeping Pad
Get off the ground. The ground will be cold and will quickly rob you of your body heat. It really doesn't matter how great a sleeping bag you have if you are in direct contact with the ground. I recommend a sleeping pad with good insulating properties or R-Value. The sleeping pad creates a cushion for the hard ground and more importantly it helps keep your body warm. The body produces about 350 BTU's of heat per hour when sleeping or at rest. That's about enough converted energy to power a 75W light bulb for one hour. Don't let the ground have that heat, let's keep it in that sleeping bag with you. If you are car camping, a thick self-inflating pad is the way to go. Some good choices are:
REI Campbed 3.5 (Highly Recommended)
Hand/Foot Warmers
These are a nice touch to help knock off the chill to your extremities. A couple of these in your jacket pockets or sleeping bag will help give you some added warmth.
Dress in Layers
It's important to dress in layers so that you can warm or cool your body as your activity level or outdoor temperatures change. Ideally, none of your layers should be cotton. Your layers should consist of synthetics, wool, fleece or down. Cotton takes forever to dry. The combination of wet and cold makes for a miserable experience outdoors long term. Make sure your outer shell is rainproof/resistant should you need it. Merino wool is great option for socks. Also consider fleece gloves and a knit cap. A breathable base layer is a great idea and makes nighttime and early mornings much more comfortable. Try these base layers:
Under Armour Base Layer Leggings
Warm your Innards
Sounds weird? Bring your favorite hot beverages. Hot tea, coffee or hot chocolate will help warm your core and is great for those chilly mornings and evenings. I'm happy with instant coffee but many people prefer brewing coffee the old fashioned way. Go for it. Remember, alcohol lowers your core temperature so keep that in mind if you enjoy libations.
That's it! Enough information to help you begin to enjoy a beautiful cool weather camping experience.
Until next time….enjoy the outdoors!.
