Camping in a winter wonderland

Camping in a winter wonderland

by Glenn Hoffman

Publication Date: December 1997

Remember the last time you were scraping frost off the windshield of your car, wishing you were curled up in your sleeping bag, inside your tent, somewhere in the Red River Gorge? Not really? Well, if hiking and backpacking are sports you pursue from April to October, you might be depriving yourself of some dramatically unique backcountry experiences during the winter months. The forest looks and sounds different in winter and is more accessible than you might think.

Solitude is something many of us seek through backcountry travel and yet it is increasingly more difficult to find there. Popular trails in the area that often yield "tent cities" during Spring and Fall are all but deserted from November though March. Because of this, there are many of us who relish the idea of a secluded winter campsite along a high ridge or mountain stream, devoid of any sounds or footprints besides our own.

If moderate snow conditions exist, beautiful and unusual light reflects off the snow through ice and frost covered trees and rocks along streams. Snow also muffles sound in the forest, creating a silence unlike any experienced at other times of the year. Trees appear as graphic silhouettes against gray skies and rock faces are no longer hidden by leaves as in summer. Accessing the backcountry during this time of year may only require adding a few key items to your gear checklist. Crossing bug spray off your list might provide some incentive right off the bat.

The sleeping bag plays a vital role in winter camping and should be the one item in your pack that is not compromised. Anyone who has lain in a cold sleeping bag all night, wondering whether their watch has stopped, knows that the sleeping bag is the last line of defense against harsh weather. My rule is to buy a sleeping bag rated to at least a few degrees below the coldest temperature you intend to encounter.

The layering system is always the most efficient way to dress in the winter backcountry. Layer one consists of synthetic underwear to wick away moisture. Secondly, a mid to heavyweight shirt provides the first insulation layer. Next, a fleece jacket will provide the primary insulation your upper body needs. Change this to a down jacket if it will get really cold. Fleece pants will make a big difference around a cold campsite as well. Lastly, good quality storm gear will pay for itself if the weather turns bad. Full side zip pants can be put on without removing your boots, and are more than convenient in wet conditions. Don't forget the knit hat and two pairs of gloves (one will get wet).

When considering boots for a winter outing remember that warmth is a product of insulation and being dry. Stiff, heavy boots might seem fine, but unless they keep your feet dry, they may be inadequate. The insulation will come from your socks or additional insulation built into the boot itself.

Winter backpacking trips are not good times to begin a new diet. Body heat is totally dependent on food and water intake. Sleeping bags and parkas are no more than insulation which holds in the heat your own body generates. Without food as fuel for your body to generate heat, insulation becomes almost useless and hypothermia will result.

Backpacking is a unique sport in that what seems to be the end of the season for many, is only the beginning for others: winter (my favorite).