Camping is no longer just for outdoor aficionados. It has grown into a fun trip that gets the whole family outside and promotes health. As the leaves fall from the trees and the wind gets a bit chilly, though, camping gets a bit harder. Don’t worry though! Camping can still be a great option for your family in the fall and winter; it just takes a bit more planning, as you’ll want to be certain of the weather conditions at your camping destination. Besides the extra planning, you will need to update your camping gear to make sure you stay safe and warm in the colder weather. Here’s a checklist of gear that may need an update when the leaves start to turn autumnal shades.
Sleeping Bag
Just because your standard sleeping bag is not meant for low temperatures, doesn’t mean you should throw out cold weather camping plans. You also don’t have to buy a new sleeping bag. However, being warm at night is one of the most important parts of your camping trip. Not only will you not sleep well if you’re cold, but you could be putting yourself in serious danger. Buying a sleeping bag liner is a wonderful solution to this problem. Choose one that adds the right amount of warmth to your bag based on the region to which you will typically be traveling for your winter camping.
First-aid Kit
Once it gets cold, you need to add a few first-aid items that should be added to your kit. The primary additions are a thermal blanket and hand and foot warmers. Temperatures in the fall and winter can change quickly and unexpectedly. So, even if it’s not cold out when you leave home, it could get back fast. These first-aid additions will warm you up if you get caught in an expected snowstorm or a bought of freezing wind.
Camping Stove
The chance of rain or, more importantly, snow goes up in the winter, so you cannot rely upon finding firewood. That’s why, in cold months, it’s a very good idea to plan on cooking your camp food over a camping stove.
Air-tight Containers
In the spring and summer, wrapping your food in a tarp and tying it from a tree limb is an easy and fairly reliable method to store food at night. It takes the food out of your campsite and out of the reach of bears. However, in the fall, animals are storing up for hibernation and this raises the possibility of them wandering into your campsite. Invest in a few good air-tight containers so you can sleep with the assurance that no whiffs of food are making their way to any bear noses.
Wool Socks and Camping Boots
In the summer, you can hike and camp in any good, sturdy pair of shoes or sandals. In the winter, though, your feet need to be warm and dry at all times. Make sure you have wool socks – not thin cotton ones – and a pair of waterproof hiking boots.
Liz Childers likes to stay healthy and enjoy the outdoors by taking long hikes and the occasional camping trip. She also writes about camping chairs for Camping Gear Outlet and picnic baskets for Picnic World.
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