Chilly Camping

If you’re one of those people who enjoys camping all year round, no matter the weather or temperature, you’re not normal. That being said, I must admit that camping in cold weather can be as fun as camping during warm weather. The fire seems more comforting and magical surrounded by ice and snow, and there is no way that your sleeping bag is going to make you too hot during the night. (By the way, if you sleep in anything other than a tent or lean-to, such as a cabin or RV, you’re a cheater and not allowed to consider yourself a true camper.)

One winter camping trip, my friends and I set up our camp on a frozen lake. Looking back now it still seems like a completely teenage idea. Instead of building a fire right on top of the ice, which created a natural barrier between us and the ice-cold water, we brought along a barrel that was cut in half with 3-foot legs welded to it. It stood high enough that the ice wasn’t affected at all. When we woke up in the morning, though, our body heat had definitely affected the ice. There were clear indentations of where we had slept that were visible after we packed our tents. I often think about how much more exciting the night would have been if one of us had melted his way right on through.

Here’s some sound advice for all those winter campers out there: don’t camp on a frozen lake. Seems logical enough, but trust me, teenage boys aren’t full of logic; they’re full of testosterone and bravado. (All the moms of teenage boys are nodding their heads vigorously right now. The dads are just peering over the newspaper and staring sternly at their boys.) Another piece of advice: bring along your own firewood. It is not so fun to scavenge for dry, unfrozen wood for your winter campfire. Most people freeze to death before finding a sufficient supply of wood to keep them warm. I hope the irony of that statement is not completely lost on you. Just pay the $5 for firewood at the convenience store or take along some from your own woodpile and save yourself the hassle.

Besides a tent that will help cut down on the cold wind at night, a proper sleeping bag is extremely necessary for a winter campout. Don’t plan on using the same sleeping bag you used in the summer. You’ll die. You’ll wake up in the morning and discover that you’ve frozen to death. That’s a surefire way to ruin the camping trip. Take along a sleeping bag that is rated for below-zero temperatures. Mummy bags are great because you can enclose your whole body in the bag, except for your eyes, nose and mouth.

Many of you are still wondering why anyone would willingly camp in the snow. It’s simple, really: the stars are brighter when it’s cold, and as their light enters earth’s atmosphere it actually makes a twinkling sound. If you still don’t understand, it’s a teenage boy thing – something to do with proving that you’re invincible and daring. It’s amazing what humans will do simply to feel a sense of adventure in their lives.