Gear Checklist for Snow Camping: Knives and Other Must-Haves - By: Tom C. Huntington

With winter comes many exciting and challenging activities to participate in. If you are a camping enthusiast, the perfect way to utilize your camping knives and multi-tool over the winter is to go snow camping. Keep in mind that the weather conditions are harsher in the winter, so in order to make the most of this experience, there are extra precautions you will need to take.

Snow Camping Overview

Essentially, snow camping (or ice camping) involves spending the night out in the snow. Some do this just for the experience of camping in the snow, or as a rest stop during an overnight cross-country skiing or hiking trip.

A great advantage of snow camping is that you can go camping in your favorite spot and experience very little interruption from other campers. You can also sit back and watch the winter wildlife unfold in front of you, something you would not be able to experience during the warmer seasons. When preparing for snow camping, you may be delighted to find that gear, such as an LED headlamp or LED lantern, is often less expensive during the off-season for camping.

Safety Tips

Make sure to drink plenty of fluids as you snow camp because dehydration is the most common problem associated with this activity, especially if you are doing lots of hiking during the day. Never snow camp alone, and before you go off on your trip, let someone who is not going know your itinerary and information such as the location of the campsite and your cell number. It's a good idea to have another copy of that information under the front seat of your car. Always plan and prepare for the worst-case situation.

Staying Comfortable

Avoid packing clothes that are made of cotton or cotton blends because if they get wet, they will not dry quickly. Being cold and wet in the snow are key ingredients for an extremely unpleasant time. Your best bet will be to pack clothes that are better suited to resisting water and sweat, like synthetic blends. Methods to retain heat include:

- Placing hand warmers in your sleeping bag at night.

- Placing clothes in your sleeping bag to warm them in the morning.

- Placing a tarp over your tent and fastening it so it traps heat inside.

Essential Gear for Snow Camping

In addition to standard camping gear , such as a tent, a properly rated sleeping bag, plenty of warm clothing and cooking implements, make sure you include the following items to ensure you remain safe throughout your trip:

- Map and compass

- LED headlamp

- LED lantern

- LED flashlight

- Extra batteries

- Cell phone

- Sunscreen

- First aid kit

- Emergency fire starter

- Snow shovel

- Snow pick

- Plastic zippered bags

- Garbage bags

- Waterproof matches in a waterproof container

- Multi-tool or toolkit

- Camping knives

- Duct tape

- Reflective blanket

- 50-foot nylon cord

- Pencil and paper

- Necessary camping permits

- Binoculars

- Battery-powered radio

Though it may take more effort, snow camping can be an extremely rewarding adventure. Make sure you are prepared, go over survival skills in cold weather, get the right gear, make a plan and enjoy.

About the Author

Few would argue that a multi-tool or knife is not essential camping gear. For your next outdoor adventure, visit http://www.CoastPortland.com, the website for COAST Products, where you can find high quality LED lanterns, headlamps, knives and multi-tools.

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