How to camp in winter snow

The overall strategy of winter camping.

There are no bugs, rattlesnakes and noises in the wild in winter, and there are no quieter mountains than in winter. Winter makes people return to the primitive, and donkeys don't need to hibernate. Feeling cold is very different from doing outdoor sports in cold weather. Trekking in the ice and snow seems to be self-abuse, but it is not. As long as you have sufficient preparation, correct equipment and outdoor skills, you can enjoy the happiness brought by white clothes in cold weather.

We should adjust our mentality when hiking in winter. "Time" is the key-winter travel is not to rush mileage or speed, but to "grind time" and "consume time" and let time crawl slowly like a snail. Because in winter, all activities become slow: because there is snow under your feet and a bag on your back, it takes longer than usual to reach your destination; Because it is necessary to tamp down the snow before camping and dig out the cooking place, it takes more time to build a camp than in other seasons; Because of wearing three layers of gloves, the stove and gas tank are cold, making a fire to cook is much more difficult than usual; More importantly, traveling in winter means adjustment and adaptation to the ever-changing environment.

Don't let your guard down on safety.

As long as we have warm equipment and the awareness of avoiding accidents, the extreme environment itself is not dangerous. However, the slippery ice and snow under our feet and the threatening clouds overhead always remind us that we can't relax our vigilance. Pay attention to the weather change and don't worry about changing or giving up the plan. In the case of severe cold, high mountains or foreseeable bad weather, it is best to go out in groups of more than four people, so that no one will act alone when there is an emergency and rescue is needed. Prevent snow blindness. If you don't have snow goggles or sunglasses, you can temporarily dig two narrow covers on small pieces of cardboard, sawdust, leather or cloth to protect your eyes.

Save your temperature.

The biggest danger facing outdoor in winter comes from the low temperature in hiking and camping, so it is necessary to keep warm to prevent frostbite and temperature loss (which often happens soon). You may not feel cold when you travel in the cold wind and rain. But once you stop moving forward, your body stops producing heat. The precursor of temperature loss is the inability to perform key mechanical actions, such as not opening the backpack, not tearing the package of snacks, or even striking matches. Victims of hypothermia often don't know that they are in danger, and sometimes they just want to lie down and sleep. Once they fall asleep, they will never get up again.

Measures to prevent temperature loss:

Replenish high-energy food in time;

Don't stay at the top of the mountain for too long in rainy days or cold air. In wet and windy conditions, the body loses temperature faster than expected.

Always prepare a set of dry clothes and a pair of socks as a backup. Walking for a day, hanging clothes is often life-saving;

If you feel cold when you wake up in the morning or go to bed at night, you can do some exercises (sit-ups, pinching your hips, massaging your hands and legs, etc. ) In your sleeping bag, have some hot drinks. This can keep the body temperature;

Put on your hat and gloves. Most of the body's heat is emitted through the head, so it is very important to keep your fingers warm and flexible.

Wear several layers of artificial wool or pure wool fabric. Pure cotton fabric is fatal. If you are wearing cotton clothes and start to get cold, you'd better take them off and put on a non-cotton underwear or coat. Because cotton fabric loses its thermal insulation performance once it is wet, and it is difficult to dry.

Don't wear socks, toes need to be active to keep warm;

Rest at the right time and don't get tired.

How can I drink water?

This is not a simple question. In summer, if the water source is reliable, the water in the wild can be directly boiled for drinking. However, in winter, when the earth is frozen, the amount of heat required for camping is nearly twice as much as usual (just staying warm while sleeping consumes more calories than usual). Many times, we need to melt snow or ice to get water and drink boiled water to supplement heat. Melting snow:

There should be a little water at the bottom of the pot before melting snow, otherwise it will smell burnt if it is melted directly.

If it is sunny for several hours in a row, you can put the snow into a black garbage bag, tie the bag tightly and expose it to the sun until the snow melts; The melted snow in this way is best used for cooking, and it will have a faint plastic taste if you drink it directly. Prevent icing:

Put drinking water into a sleeping bag when you sleep, and you won't worry about holding an ice bottle when you get up early the next day and get thirsty.

You can use a heat preservation sleeve to prevent the water in the kettle from freezing. About the kettle:

Wide-mouthed kettles are more practical than narrow-mouthed kettles in winter: it is more convenient to get water from frozen springs; Wearing gloves is easier to operate; You can also add snow to the kettle with a spoon.

If you fill the kettle with boiling water and tighten the lid, the water in the kettle will shrink during the cooling process, which will soften and deform the plastic. In order to prevent this from happening, open the lid of the kettle every 15 minutes to release steam to balance the internal and external pressures.

It is best to bring fast food in winter.

In order to replenish physical strength, backpackers need to carry heavy materials in winter, about one kilogram per person per day, and it is best to eat fast food. Because more fuel is needed in winter and gloves are needed, it is inconvenient to operate, and the less steps and time used for cooking, the better. Instant soup is a necessity, which can warm the body and prevent dehydration.

Choose high-calorie foods containing fat for lunch. Peanut products and canned fish are all good, but they freeze easily. Take out the food one hour before lunch and put it in a close-fitting pocket to thaw.

Fast food is as important as keeping body temperature and energy. You can carry as much as possible according to your personal hobbies (chocolate, compressed biscuits, dried fruits, etc.). I feel sleepy and hungry, especially when I feel cold. Snacks should be placed where you can get them easily without taking off your backpack, and some should be prepared in the tent at night.

Winter cooking should pay attention to:

Put a mat under the stove to slow down the heat transfer from the stove to the ground and prevent the snow below from melting. There are three kinds of lighter floor mats to choose from: plastic floor mats, old mouse mats and square foam mats wrapped with tape.

Use heat reflection plate, windshield, etc. Close the lid tightly to save fuel, and don't always lift the lid.

Wrap several layers of tape around the fuel tank. The effect of this is to add an insulating layer between the finger and the gas tank. The temperature of the gas tank, like the air temperature, is often below zero, and direct contact with fingers will cause frostbite.

Prepare a pair of gloves and put them with the tableware.

Don't waste hot water. Boiling water can be used to cook a bowl of soup and steam rice.

Cooking a pot of rice is easier, requires less fuel and lasts longer.

Choose your camp.

Choose a camp to find shelter. Try to choose an east-facing slope, and the tent will be exposed to the sun after sunrise. Remember to look around, in addition to the usual dangerous situation, but also pay attention to whether there is an avalanche nearby, and whether the snow on the branches will be blown off by the strong wind. Shrubs or boulders are ideal camps (without the above dangers). You can also build your own camp and build a snow wall. Avoid choosing places where cold air gathers, such as canyons.

Before camping, use sledges or snowshoes to step on the flat ground, so that climbing into the tent will not get stuck in the soft snow.

Even if the weather is fine, the tent should be repaired. In addition to using snow nails (slightly flat and slightly wider than ordinary nails), sledges, snow poles and ice axes can also be used for reinforcement.

When camping in the snow, clothes, kettles, cameras, films, etc. It's best to put it in a sleeping bag. Wear socks and hats when sleeping.

Bring your camping equipment.

1. snow goggles and Xuegai: These are the necessities of walking in the snow. The former can prevent snow blindness; The latter can prevent snow from entering hiking shoes;

2. Trekking poles: A trekking pole with guaranteed quality can help you master the snow-covered terrain, avoid falling into the snow seam, and help you keep your body balanced in complex terrain.

3. Moisture-proof pad: it is advisable to carry a thick or aluminized moisture-proof pad; Or bring an extra moisture-proof pad and aluminum film pad to increase warmth;

4. Sleeping bag: Down sleeping bag is the best choice (thick cotton sleeping bag and fleece sleeping bag can also be replaced). The filling amount of cashmere depends on individual physical quality, but it must be moisture-proof, and once it is wet, it will be difficult to dry;

5. Clothing: In addition to normal waterproof and windproof clothing, you should also prepare a down jacket, gloves and hats are also essential; A pair of spare shoes;

6. Others: You can prepare more plastic bags. Besides normal use, it can also be worn on hands and feet to keep warm in winter.

Correct hiking in the snow

1. When the team is marching, the players at the back should try to step on the footprints of the players in front. First, for safety; Secondly, it can save a lot of physical strength;

2. In case of heavy snow, if you can't find the way, the strong players will take turns to open the way to ensure the average physical fitness of the whole team;

The key to hiking in the snow is to be slow and steady. It doesn't matter if you walk less or slowly, so don't get ahead.

Is the whole strategy of winter camping really complete? Although it is long, it is definitely helpful for friends who camp in winter.

This technique is nothing more than two aspects:

First, the thickness of the insulation layer, of course, is the thicker the warmer;

The second is the heat source, and the human body itself is the heat source. How to increase the heat source is the key to cold resistance.

Method one, the simplest and most practical method is to make a hot water bottle and fill it with hot water, such as a water bag or a general water bottle, but pay attention to the temperature of hot water not to be too high. Many water bottles are afraid of drinking soup. This skill prevents your water from freezing into "ice boiling", and it is also convenient to get up and drink at night. Some are heated with stones and wrapped in clothes. I haven't used it and I don't recommend it.

Method 2: Take a thin sheet and cover it with a sleeping bag after drilling, which is equivalent to adding a "small tent" to the tent, so that you will have an extra layer of insulation to help you keep out the heat emitted by your body. If you open it, you will obviously feel cold.

Method 3: Keep out the cold with all your belongings and sleep in sweaters and socks. Other clothes are covered outside the sleeping bag, and it is best to put a few pieces under it (especially the down sleeping bag, you can also bring half a moisture-proof pad and put it above the neck and buttocks). ), the backpack can be placed on your feet, or it can be placed under the moisture-proof pad to thicken the insulation layer of the moisture-proof pad. It's better to cover the down jacket above than under it. Winter is better than spare parts, whether it is outdoor or civil. Because of its good compressibility, light weight and portability.

Method 4: Two people are each other's heat sources, and sleeping together is warmer. Of course, it is more suitable for couples. The feet of two sleeping bags can be nested together, one below and the other above.

Method 5: Drink hot drinks, milk, hot chocolate, etc. Before going to bed. It is best to drink Radix Isatidis (recommended) before going to bed to prevent colds and increase body calories. It is a good choice, eating (strong mouth) can take in more calories and ensure the needs at night.

Method 6: Exercise properly before going to bed, so that you can warm up and get into your sleeping bag. You can also do some exercises in the middle of the night when it is cold, such as self-confrontation (push your knees with your hands, and your knees will fully resist the thrust of your hands, and heat will be generated in a few minutes. )

Method 7: The baby's sleeping position is quite common among animals. It is very simple: lie on your side, bend your knees and elbows, and hook your head into a "ball" as much as possible, so that you can sleep in the warmest position in your mother's body. If you carefully observe the sleeping posture of cats, dogs and other animals in the cold, this is the way we can learn from them.

As for sleeping, because I have had enough of the pain of ordinary foam moistureproof mats, I brought a super inflatable moistureproof mat this time. After the automatic inflation is completed, I can blow it again, just like Simmons, so that the moisture on the ground can't come up. Cover a small sleeping bag with a degree of 5 and a large cotton sleeping bag with a degree of 0 to get warm!

Design a winter camping activity

When planning a winter camping activity, especially in the snow, please remember that the progress in winter will be much slower than that in summer. Reduce travel by 50% to 60%. In winter, the sunshine is short and the activity time is shorter. In cold weather, ordinary activities take longer.

Building a shelter grounded on three sides in winter and blocking the strong wind at the opening with a canopy can make you very comfortable. Doing so can provide more space for sleeping, cooking and putting backpacks. And the awning is much lighter than the four seasons account. This kind of shelter is not common in winter, so it is not difficult to find a camping place.

winter dress

Wear layered clothes, so that you can easily adjust your clothes to control your body temperature and eliminate moisture on your body surface. Three layers of clothes are the most common: one is close to the skin (long pants and long sleeves), the other is warm (velvet), and the other is windproof and waterproof.

Cotton products will kill you in winter. When wet, cotton products lose their ability to keep warm, whether the water comes from rain or internal perspiration. At the same time, cotton products need a long time to dry. Using wool or synthetic materials can better adapt to the cold environment.

Your boots should be waterproof, such as waterproof leather or plastic. Even the fiber and leather lined with gore-tex will absorb water and freeze, which will make your feet directly in close contact with borneol.

Wearing a balaclava hat can prevent heat loss from the head. Because more than half of the heat is emitted from the head. So some people say, put on your hat if you feel cold.

A balaclava hat can protect your face and neck from cold and strong winds. It can also be used as a scarf and a mask.

Don't wear a few pairs of socks because if your feet don't have good blood circulation, no matter how many pairs of socks you wear, they will get cold. Too tight shoelaces can also affect blood circulation.

Pay attention to your gloves, especially the inner layer, not too tight. If they are too tight and the blood circulation in the hands is blocked, it is difficult to raise the temperature.

Snow covers will make it difficult for snow and rain to get into boots, so they will make your feet drier and warmer. At the same time, the snow cover can also be used as another layer of warm clothing on the calf.

Pay attention to tie gloves with velvet rope or safety rope to prevent them from being lost in snow and wind.

Wear extra gloves or glove liners to replace wet gloves.

Remember to put on enough dry socks.

Putting gloves and socks in a sleeping bag overnight can dry them.

Food and water

Foods rich in carbohydrates can provide energy for hiking and help keep body temperature.

Dinner that can be cooked in one pot is most suitable for winter. Food should be easy to handle and delicious.

Whether you are thirsty or not, you must drink more water. Dry air in winter will dehydrate you, and it will be too late when you find it. Water is a necessity for human body to generate heat. Observing the color of urine is a good way to check your dehydration. In the case of good drinking water, urine is pale or colorless.

Using a warm kettle cover or putting the kettle in wool socks can prevent the water inside from freezing. You can also make your own hot water bottle cap by wrapping the kettle with foam.

Water mixed with Gatorade or lemon juice has a low freezing point.

The water purifier is not suitable for use in winter. The residual water in the filter element of the water purifier will freeze, damage the sealing ring and affect the water purification effect.

Chemical water purification agent works slowly at low temperature. Therefore, it is necessary to wait patiently when using chemical water purification agents.

When melting snow, pour some water into the pot before the snow begins to melt to prevent it from drying out.

Bring coffee filter paper to filter the melted snow. There are many things you don't want to drink in the snow, such as dust, leaves, bugs and so on.

Turn the kettle upside down in below freezing weather, so that ice can be produced at the bottom of the cup instead of at the mouth.

Longer cooking and boiling time requires you to carry more fuel than in summer.

Winter shelter

Three-season tents can't cope with the heavy pressure of strong winds and snow that may appear in winter storms. At the same time, they are not enough to protect you in strong winds.

On the other hand, the three-season account can adapt to the mild weather in winter.

Try to choose a camping site that can avoid strong winds. If necessary, you can hang a canopy in the forest.

Try to avoid vegetation and camp in the snow. The traces of camping in the snow will disappear with the melting of spring.

Compaction of snow at selected camping sites. Otherwise, your body will squeeze out a human figure in the soft snow. When this human figure freezes again, it will make you sleep very uncomfortable.

Dig a hole of 1-2 inches in the snow in strong wind to set up a tent and reduce the wind blowing into the tent. Dig a pit of 1-2 inches in the front hall of the tent where it is difficult to get in and out, which can make it easier to get in and out.

Prepare 4-6 inches of rope for each nail hanging point, so that you can use stones or logs to fix the tent where nails cannot be used because of frozen soil or soft snow.

Traditional ground nails are not very useful in the snow. You can fix the tent with snow cones and special snow nails.

When camping in thick snow, you can fill a gallon-sized frozen bag with snow and tie it to the nail hanging point instead of the nail.

Daytime activities

Control the accumulation and emission of heat by increasing or decreasing the number of layers of clothes. Use waterproof shell and polar fleece jacket underarm zipper to eliminate heat and moisture. Too much evaporation of water will make you feel cold.

If you have a long rest or end a day's trip, put on a warm layer before you feel cold, otherwise you need to make great efforts to restore warmth.

It is a good idea to divide a long lunch into several snacks and solve them many times. So it won't be too cold, and constantly adjust the number of clothes.

Bring a small thermos bottle filled with hot soup or hot drink. When you feel cold or want to find something hot, you can have something ready-made

Pay attention to the signals your body sends you. Cold fingers and toes remind you that you should stop and find the cause of the problem. For example, cold toes may be due to tight shoelaces.

Keep a kettle on your hip pocket. When you are thirsty, you can get it easily. At the same time, the hip bag is also a good place to put snacks.

At the camp

If you will face 2-3 feet of snow, take a shovel to expand the space in your account and dig out the cooking ditch. Dig a 2*2*2 foot hole. Sit on one side of the pit (mat), put your feet in the pit and use the other side as a table.

Put on dry socks as soon as the camp is built. Wet socks on your feet can't keep your feet warm.

In order to put on cold boots more easily the next day, expand the boot opening as much as possible. So they don't freeze together.

Warm boots with foam insoles will keep you warm better than walking shoes.

Bring and use foam mats in the camp. Frozen ground or tent floor will quickly take away the heat from your hips. Similarly, you can sit on your own sleeping mat.

Insulated coffee cups can keep warm and drink hot drinks better than ordinary cups. You can also use a large thermos cup to hold soup when eating.

When resting around the camp at night, always prepare enough hot drinks. More liquid can help you, besides, no one will refuse heat. Control your alcohol intake, because alcohol will dilute your blood and reduce your body's ability to keep warm.

Don't drink caffeinated drinks before going to bed. They will keep you awake and wake you up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.

Eat snacks before going to bed, so that the body has enough fuel to generate heat in the long winter night.

Move for a few minutes before entering the sleeping bag. This can warm the body and make it easier to warm the cold sleeping bag.

Night time

Putting sleeping bags into camping bags can increase comfort. Similar effects can be achieved by using sleeping bag lining, life-saving blanket, impermeable lining or two sleeping bags. Impervious lining should be used below freezing point. Pay attention to keep enough comfortable space when applying two sleeping bags.

Remember to use a sleeping mat when sleeping in winter. Many people even suggest using two. It is more important to prevent heat from flowing to the ground than to prevent heat from being lost in cold air.

Wearing a wool hat or balaclava hat helps to keep warm when sleeping. Fasten Mommy's sleeping bag until only her eyes, nose and mouth are exposed.

Don't breathe in a sleeping bag, but breathe through the gap between a wool hat or a balaclava hat. Exhaled moisture will wet the sleeping bag and reduce its ability to keep warm.

Put a bottle of hot water under your feet to keep your feet warm all night. Of course, don't forget to tighten the bottle.

Putting a bottle of hot water in your boots can prevent them from freezing at night. This trick is only useful when the boots are stuffed into the bag and not exposed.

Put the boots in the bag (you can use the compression bag of the sleeping bag) and stuff them at the bottom of the sleeping bag to prevent freezing. At this time, the long sleeping bag shows its benefits. You can also put them between the sleeping bag and the sleeping mat.

Don't try to put big clothes such as trousers or sweatshirts in a sleeping bag to dry overnight. Too much water will reduce the warmth of sleeping bags.

Try to ventilate the tent and reduce the condensed water on the inner wall. Compared with the pain of getting wet by condensed water, the warmth of a few degrees Celsius obtained by sealing the tent is not worth the candle.

Putting the kettle in a sleeping bag, on one side of the sleeping bag or away from the tent wall can prevent the kettle from freezing.

(early) morning

Try to stay in the sleeping bag when cooking breakfast and packing (don't use the stove in the tent).

Put socks, clothes, etc. Enter the sleeping bag and warm up before leaving the sleeping bag.

To prevent wearing cold boots, put the inner boots in a sleeping bag or coat to keep warm.

Before starting the operation, take off some warm clothes to avoid overheating. Activities will generate much more heat than the camp, so it will be cold to take off your clothes before the action, but it will heat up after a while.

odds and ends

Tidy up the things in the bag for easy access. Snacks, water, spare gloves, headlights and flashlights should be ready at any time when needed.

Put it in order. Know the location of each piece of equipment in the backpack. In this way, you can quickly find what you need without taking everything out of your backpack for a little thing.

If your kettle has no hanging ring, tie a rope around the neck of the cup and hang it on the floor to hold streams and springs.

Tie a rope on the zipper of your backpack and clothes, so that you can wear gloves or freeze your fingers to operate.

Chemical heating bags can be used to warm hands and feet when necessary. Most varieties can be kept heated for many hours.

Store spare batteries beside your body or in a sleeping bag to ensure that they will not be used for less than the nominal time due to low temperature.

Try to keep the camera and film not too cold. The film will become brittle and hard at low temperature. A cold camera won't work, it will tear the film. If you put them in your clothes, use plastic bags to make sure that the water won't wet the camera.

Cradles are suitable for walking on ice and hard snow. Can prevent shoes from slipping.

Climbing poles and ski poles are good helpers to keep balance on ice and snow.

If you slip on your backpack, try to land on your back, so that the backpack will absorb the impact instead of your back.