10 Winter Camping Tips for Families (Or How to Stay Warm!)
I love hiking and camping in the winter in the San Francisco Bay Area!
But Miranda, you ask, will it be too cold?
It will be cold, but generally 3-season camping gear — which most of us have — will keep you warm.
Here are some tips on staying warm:
WHAT KIND OF SLEEPING BAG DO YOU HAVE? Know its rating. In some cases, you may need a 4-season sleeping bag. From REI:
— Comfort rating indicates the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable. This is the temperature rating brands use on women’s bags since women tend to sleep colder.
— Lower limit rating (which is always lower than the comfort rating) indicates the temperature at which a warm sleeper might still feel comfortable. This is the temperature rating brands use on men’s bags.HAND/FOOT WARMERS: Wear in your gloves and in your socks while sleeping.
HOT WATER BOTTLE: Bring one and fill it up with hot water from a jet boil stove before you go to sleep. Place it on your core.
WOOL CAP: Wear this to sleep. You can pair it with a balaclava or gaiter.
THERMALS: Invest in a good, warm pair. Yes, wool!
WOOL CLOTHES: Helps wick away the sweat, helping to avoid any wet, damp layers (not fun in the cold)
SLEEPING PAD/MAT: To have a layer between you and the ground to help prevent losing body heat (plus, it's way more comfortable). REI recommends using two pads to get ideal insulation: a closed-cell foam pad next to the ground and a self-inflating pad on top of it.
SLEEPING BAG LINER: I love these! My husband has a silk one and it's so cozy and warm. OR, you can use a summer sleeping bag as a liner.
SNUG + SMALL TENT: Downsize from big tents and buy/rent a small one. We'll leave the vents partially open to reduce the chance of condensation that'll make you feel wet and cold.
HIGH-PROTEIN + HIGH-FAT FOODS before sleep! I'll bring my Halloween candy for y'all! PLUS, LOTS of WATER to reduce dehydration (which makes it harder for your body to keep warm)
PEE FUNNEL: When we started potty training my daughter, I suddenly saw a great use for her toilet — one I could use, too, to avoid having to run to the camp restrooms in the middle of the night. I placed the potty just outside our tent. With winter camping, I recommend a temporary or permanent pee funnel (the temp ones you can seal up and put outside your tent until the morning)
So as not to break the bank, look or ask for these items in your Buy Nothing group, on Freecycle, from friends and family, or rent (REI; Sports Basement rents a lot of camping gear, but I've heard mixed reviews).
Tell me in the comments: What has worked for you?
Some simple tips on how to stay warm with your kids while camping in the winter in the San Francisco Bay Area.