A Primer on Winter Camping: Part 2 - Clothing

It's all About Layers, Onions Know What's Up

It's important to realize that if you do not have the proper clothing, you will without a doubt be miserable. And the key is not to go find the warmest, biggest, puffiest jacket on the market, this is the "what not to do" when looking to keep yourself warm. The important rule to keep in mind when preparing your winter wardrobe is that you will generally go with three to four layers: a base layer, middle layer, and outer layer. Then you can add another outer (shell) layer to keep dry depending on if your outer layer is waterproof and windproof.

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Base Layer

This layer is the thinnest layer. It will be the layer that absorbs all of your sweat. An ideal base layer is one that attracts moisture and transfers your sweat to the middle layer. The base layer is also called the moisture wick. The worst possible thing you could do is use cotton as the base layer. You will absolutely stay wet and cold. In any event that you sweat excessively, it's always a good idea to keep an extra base layer handy just in case you need to swap a dry one out for the wet one, especially if you sweat and the temperature suddenly drops. Look for any kind of synthetic-like materials to use for this layer (wool/silk/polyester).


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Middle Layer

Again, the idea is not to buy a single thick piece of clothing for your middle layer. Depending on the temperature, buy one to three middle layers. The middle layer is designed to be the insulation by trapping your body heat and keeping it in. Do not use cotton, there are other materials that will do a better job of keeping in the heat. I have found that wool and fleece make for great middle layers.

Outer Layer/Shell Layer

The outer layer is your heaviest, warmest layer. A heavy article of clothing would be okay, but I would recommend a lightweight, down jacket that doubles as a waterproof/windproof shell. Oh, pick something that looks good too, this is the layer that everyone will look at in the photos that you take on your winter expedition.

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If you don't end up getting a waterproof/windproof outer layer, you should consider buying a wind breaker to keep the wind and rain off of your clothes.

Socks

It's a good idea to have a very thin (non-cotton) sock underneath a heavy wool sock. This will keep you very warm. The base layer sock isn't a necessity though. Heavy wool socks will do just fine if you don't want to worry about the hassle of a base layer sock.

Tip: Buy long Johns. They are ridiculously warm and cozy.

Let's Talk Sleeping Bags

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Choosing a sleeping bag is easy. There are only a few things to consider. Choose a sleeping bag that's rated at least 10 degrees colder than the coldest temperature that you're expecting. All sleeping bags will consist of a either a synthetic stuffing or down material. Down is lighter and warmer, but when wet, loses the ability to retain heat and becomes useless. Synthetic bags will be heavier but slightly less warm. I prefer the lighter and warmer down sleeping bag.

Keep in mind that you should use a sleeping pad to put your bag on to help it last longer. It will also provide support and be more comfortable. If you opt for a less expensive bag that is not rated to withstand the low temperatures that you're going to be exposed to, you can always buy a sleeping bag liner for extra warmth.

Tip: You can always find the clothing, tents, sleeping bags, etc. at REI.com, however I encourage you to look around a little more to find what suits you best.

Tip: Place your socks in your sleeping bag to keep them warm and ready for use.

A Primer on Winter Camping: Part 1 - The Tent

We touched on how to choose a tent in my previous post, but I want to go into further detail on the things that you should look for and the things that you need to avoid when you choose a tent for your winter expedition.

First off, let's talk seasons. We are winter camping, and in my previous post, I mentioned that I had a few friends that tried cold weather camping with a 3-season tent. This doesn't work, especially if there is going to be heavy rain or snow involved. You will end up cold, wet, and miserable - we want this to be a fun and enjoyable experience. While the 4-season tent is more expensive, it offers more protection from the winter elements. With most material goods, the more expensive doesn't always mean better. Unfortunately, with tents, this is not true, the more you pay, the better tent you will get. It will be able to withstand stronger winds, be made of stronger material, and be able to withstand colder temperatures. However, you may not always need stronger and warmer. For instance, you may choose to spend more on a nice sleeping bag that will keep you warm and opt for a tent made with thinner material.

Let's Talk Tent Poles

(Photo: via) Eureka/One Man Tent

There are 5 kinds of tent poles (bet you didn't see that coming).

1. Plastic: Yes, plastic. Don't. Because plastic. 
2. Aluminum: Aluminum tent poles are often very good. They are typically used with smaller tents and are very lightweight. I would recommend the aluminum pole if you are looking at the one-man tube tent pictured to the right.
3. Steel:  These tent poles are mainly to be used when building semi-permanent structures like heavy-duty tents or huge shelters. They are not to be used when backpacking or camping. 
4. Fiberglass: Fiberglass is generally weaker and less durable than aluminum and carbon fiber. I'm going to say it, fiberglass is almost as bad as plastic. I've had a fiberglass pole crack after the third use, it's not fun. The only time that I would recommend fiberglass poles is when you are buying a backyard tent. 
5. Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber tent poles are the bees knees. They are the most flexible and lightweight poles on the market while still maintaining plenty of durability. I highly recommend this kind of pole. 

Enough About the Poles, What About the Tent?

Tents vary in size and shape, there isn't a good size or bad size. It just depends on how many people you plan on sharing the tent with. You can buy a tent that fits anywhere from a one person to ten people. Shape also doesn't matter too much, I recommend trying to read as many reviews on the tent you are looking to buy as you can. 

(Photo: via) 4-Season/Full Fly/2 Man Tent

There are two types of 4-season tents: single-walled tents and doubled-walled tents. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. The single-walled tent is colder but easier to setup and lightweight compared to the double-walled tent which will be warmer, but bulkier. Another thing to consider is the setup time. When you're in sub 32 degree weather, you don't want to have a lengthy setup time. With a double-walled tent, you will have a longer setup time, however, as stated above, the double-wall will stand up against stronger winds and heavier rain. A tent be made of either a ripstop nylon material or a cotton canvas material. I would recommend getting the nylon tent even though the canvas tent would be warmer. The reason for this is that canvas will be lighter. And as for warmth, your sleeping bag will take care of you, not your tent. Look for more details on what kind of sleeping bag to buy in my next post on winter clothing and sleeping bags. 

What About the Fly?

The fly is the waterproof cover-like material that you see covering the exposed tent poles. When you buy a tent based on what kind of fly the tent comes with, the only thing you need to think about is the season in which you will be camping in. Since this is a series on winter camping, I would advise you to never get a tent without a full fly. It will be more expensive, but even in the summer a full fly will block out the rain much better than a half. An easy way to tell a full fly from half fly is if the fly itself comes right up to the ground, covering every inch of the tent.

Setting up the Tent

Before you begin setting up the tent, you need to make sure that you have a tent pad (usually a tarp) to lay cover the ground where your tent is going to be set up. This will protect your tent from the wet ground and help your tent last longer. Be sure to fold the excess tarp underneath the tent so that the footprint of the tarp is slightly smaller than the footprint of the tent. This will keep rain from getting in between your tent and the tarp.

When setting up a tent on the snow, consider is the wind. If there are strong winds, be sure to find a campsite that is shielded from the wind. If there are no natural shields (a boulder, cliff, or wall), dig out at least a foot of snow and then wait about an hour for the snow to harden. This will ensure two things: 1) that the top layer of snow is not full of bushes or soft spots that could cause the area you putting your tent on to collapse and 2) Your tent will be in a small hole which will block gusts of wind from getting under the tent and picking it up.

Staking down a tent in the snow is always tough if you have the wrong tools. Be sure to bring an avalanche shovel, ice axe, and snow stakes. Don't be afraid to get creative when tethering a tent to the ground. Aside from snow stakes, you can also use ski poles or heavy rocks in conjunction with snow stakes to keep your tent down. As for setting up the actual tent, every tent comes with an instruction manual that guides you through the process of putting the poles together, how to latch the tent to the poles, etc. This process should be straightforward with the manual. Now get out of the office, head to the mountains, and have some fun!

A Primer on Winter Camping: An Introduction

When I say camping you say: "Oh my gosh I love camping it's pretty much the best thing in the whole world when are we going what should I bring seriously I'm quitting my job to go live in a tent." Seriously though if you're not convinced on why you should go camping, read my post on the 7 reasons why you should go camping.

What are some of the things that you associate with the word camping? Some people think of tents and campfires and s'mores while still others think of hiking, fishing, boating and the other glories of camping. But what people don't think about...is the winter. It's really quite a bummer that there are only a few "good weather" months out of the year in places like New York, Colorado, Alaska, and other outdoorsy states. Over the next week and a half I will uncover the fundamentals of winter camping in a 3 part series. Today's post will introduce you to the basics. The next 3 posts will dive further into the topics we touch on below.

Winter camp in the snow above lower Blue Lake,
 Sneffels Range, Colorado – October. (Photo Cred: Jack Brauer)

You're probably skeptical of winter camping and think that it's a feat reserved only for "the extreme" outdoorsman. I must tell you that you're being ridiculously ridiculous. Winter camping is a completely different experience in the winter than in the summer. Nature's landscape is quite different in the winter time. You see the Snow-capped mountains, the evergreen trees, sprinkled with white, and you feel the crisp cold air in your lungs. There are great reasons to go winter camping, just like there are great reasons to go summer camping. David Sweet offers a few great reasons to winter camp in his blog post, like how we can expect NO crowds, NO dirt, and NO bugs. On top of those things, you can eat more because you burn calories faster and fellow campers don't smell as bad and let's be honest, it's always a good idea to walk on ice. What more do you need?

THE BASICS

• When planning a winter camping trip, pick a realistic destination. The Swiss Alps probably isn't a great place to go unless you are a seasoned, winter camper. Don't choose a place where there's a good chance of an avalanche. They're real. They happen.
• Once you've picked your destination, be sure to check the weather forecast to make sure you avoid a cold-front that might be on its way in.
• When packing the necessary gear, people usually don't put enough thought into food. Don't cheat yourself out of good food. Always, always make hearty meals. It makes the trip much more enjoyable. And bring plenty of snacks!
• Always let a family member and friend where you are going.
• Try to read reviews on the place that you choose to go to and talk to people who have been there if at all possible.
• It's always a good idea to carry cash with you just in case there are unexpected costs.
• Make a checklist of things you need to bring (i.e. read my upcoming posts in this series). But for now, I will give you a short overview of the things you will be needing to plan a great, winter camping expedition.
• Always plan to have your plans changed. Things will never go exactly according to plan and that's okay. Go with the flow and enjoy yourself!

There are a few basic things that we will cover over the next 3 posts: Tent/bag/pack, clothing, and accessories. Below, you will find a primer on these things that will hopefully get you excited to read the rest of this series.

TENT/SLEEPING BAG/BACKPACK
You're going to need a tent. A tent is probably one of the more important things to have when you go winter camping...because snow and wind. People have tried to camp with the standard 3-season backpacking tent, but they don't fare too well. The 4-season tent will be able to withstand stronger winds and heavier snow if it happens to snow while you're on the expedition. Stay tuned on my text post that will help you find the best tent.

When deciding on what kind of bag to get, the general consensus is that you should buy a bag rated at 10°F colder than the coldest temperature you expect to encounter. Speaking of cold, it can take a while to warm your sleeping bag with only your body heat. Boil some water, seal it tightly in a container of sorts, and put it in your sleeping bag prior to hittin' the sack. Be sure it's sealed though, no one likes a wet sleeping bag...also this could cause hypothermia, resulting in death, and nobody wants death.

A good backpack is only an absolute necessity when you will be hiking a lot. The point is not to break your back while trekking around a forest or mountain - so if you know you will be hiking in a ways to reach your destination, invest in a good pack. I would recommend investing in either a lightweight 65-Liter pack (with lash points to strap down your bulkier items with) or a deluxe 80-liter pack (also with lash points).

CLOTHING

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There are several fundamental guidelines to keep in mind when dressing yourself for the winter camping trip if you don't want to freeze your little tush off (for those of you with a big tush, you should also keep to these guidelines). Despite what pop-culture tells you, a winter onesie and 4 sweaters is not how you should keep yourself warm. I will go into further detail on some of these guidelines in my future posts on winter camping.

ACCESSORIES
I don't want to beat around the bush with you on this one...you're going to be bringing a lot of gear and accessories with you. You'll need cooking accessories/utensils, flashlights, sanitation kits, a first aid kit, a portable GPS, a portable shovel, fire-starting supplies, a repair kit/tools, sun protection, it would be excellent to have a portable water purification system, and a few other things that we will talk about at a later point in this series on winter camping. But don't worry, I hate packing too heavy so I will keep it to the bare necessities.

Now that you're primed on the basics of winter camping, be on the lookout for Part 1 of this series!






BONUS: Hiking destination for the New Yorker

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Anthony's Nose Hike (Camp Smith trail) is a trail about an hour north of Manhattan. From the top, you will find yourself overlooking Bear Mountain state park and Bear Mountain Bridge. This trail is just over 6 miles long (total) with an elevation of 900ft. It's accessible via the Metro North Train out of Grand Central Station. Take this to Manitou and then walk 0.5 miles south via Bear Mountain Beacon Hwy. If you've never taken the Metro North, read my review on Breakneck Ridge. This post will give you an idea of what to pack and show you how to navigate the Metro North - Manitou is simply 2 stops before Cold Spring. If you finish this hike quickly, you can always cross Bear Mountain Bridge (located close to the Camp Smith trail head) and camp on Bear Mountain. However, camp overnight at your own risk as the camp grounds are technically closed through May 14, 2015 (just do it, it will be fun and adventurous).

Why is it called "Breakneck" Ridge anyways?

Breakneck Ridge surpassed my expectations. This hike is incredible and the views from the top are amazing. As a Coloradan, I take my outdoors very serious when I'm not being lazy. Breakneck ridge is just an hour and half north of the city in upstate New York - just north of Cold Spring. Hiking up this little ridge proved to be the perfect length for the one day getaway. Along the route, you will occasionally find that the path will split off into two separate paths - one being the easier route contrasted by the advanced route. It's a perfect trail for the beginner or the seasoned hiker. Here are a few tips to guide you along the expedition to Breakneck Ridge:

1. How to get there: Head to Grand Central station and buy a single, round trip ticket from Grand Central to Cold Spring. If you're feeling ambitious and think you can make the earlier departure time (7:30am) then by all means young buck, buy the ticket directly to Breakneck Ridge and skip out on the wonderfully quaint, little town of Cold Spring. There are more departure times when leaving from Grand Central to Cold Spring than taking the train directly to Breakneck Ridge for those of us that like to sleep in a bit. The ticket will cost you $26.50 round trip on the weekend ("off-peak"). If you go any time during the week it is considered an "on-peak" time and will cost you $35.00. 
2. Once you get off the train: Head North until you hit Main Street and hang a right. Stay on the left side of Main Street and continue on past Fair Street (you will come back to Fair Street in order to get to Breakneck Ridge). For now, go past Fair Street and look for the Silver Spoon Restaurant & Bar on the left. I didn't get the owners name, but my girlfriend and I stopped in for a cup of coffee before the hike and the owner came out to greet us. He sat down and began the story of how he worked as a busboy in the restaurant when he was younger and how just 10 years ago, he bought the restaurant and has been running it ever since. After you enjoy some good conversation and coffee at the bar (or 3 pancakes, 2 over-easy eggs, 4 pieces of bacon and 2 sausages), head back toward Fair Street and hang a right (so you're heading North). Continue along the highway toward Breakneck Ridge. If at any time you feel as if you might get hit by an oncoming vehicle it's probably because it's very possible. Stay on what little shoulder there is and be careful. You're headed in the right direction. After about 20 minutes, you will walk through a short tunnel, the trailhead will be on your left. 
3. What to bring: If you love freezing, cold weather and hiking in soggy, wet shoes, make sure to choose a very rainy day. Check the weather! Here is a checklist of things you may want to bring:

• Beer/Whisky. Alcohol. I realize that alcohol dehydrates you, but I have a tradition of cracking one open and having a "victory drink" once I reach the top of a mountain. It creates a nice incentive to reach the top. Obviously I could drink it without reaching the top but I always feel self-conscious and crappy drinking half way up a mountain.
• Cell phone: Bring this to take plenty of photos with and to make any emergency calls if you happen to fall off a cliff or something. 
• Backpack: Bring a rucksack to put all of your food and a few extra layers of clothing in. Pack light though. Last time I hiked, I forgot to take three jackets out of my backpack. You wouldn't think three jackets would weigh that much but by the 7th step, I was just about beat. 
• Food: Bring a lunch and a few snacks to keep you energized throughout the day. I prefer gold fish or white cheddar popcorn or Doritos or Cheetos or peanuts. I like apples too. 
• Clothing/Shoes Don't forget to get dressed before you leave for the hike. Bring good hiking shoes and wear pants. Bring a light wind breaker in case it's rainy or windy. I also packed a sweatshirt to put on underneath everything. It's always colder the higher you get.

• Hiking buddy: Bring a hiking buddy. While I do encourage the solo camping/hiking expedition every once and a while, my personal preference is to hike with someone. I took my girlfriend, Joy, to Breakneck Ridge for her birthday. She totally killed it. At the end of the hike, I tried to balance on a boulder, not knowing that it was loose, and then fell off. Needless to say, hiking buddies are there to keep you in line/make fun of you when you do something stupid; and in any case where a real emergency occurs, they've got your back. 
• Gadgets: Obviously you can bring cool gadgets if that's your thing. I like different kinds of camping gear just as much as the next guy but I tend to pack as light as I can. I don't like heavy packs. Sometimes I'm successful at packing, I swear. 
• Map: If you're like me (from Colorado and directionally challenged), there are two directs: towards the mountains and away from the mountains. Bring a map. 
• Water: Oh right, water. Don't forget this.
4. After the hike: I recommend walking around the small town of Cold Spring and grabbing some ice cream or a bite to eat with your hiking buddy. Joy and I found our way to an ice cream parlor off of Main Street at the end of Depot Square. They had some darn-good, chocolate ice cream. Cold Spring also has a few boutique shops and restaurants that you can check out as well. After you've had your fill of Cold Spring, head back to the train station for your chosen departure time (the last train back to Grand Central leaves around 7:20pm). 

Also, it's called "Breakneck Ridge" because the ridge straddles the boundary between Dutchess and Putnam counties. How lame is that?

7 Reasons why YOU Should go Camping. Yes, you.

Listen, camping isn't for everyone, I get it (actually I don't, but I understand that some people don't like to camp - actually I don't understand that either... but that's neither here nor there). You may be asking yourself, why go camping? Why take yourself away from every luxury and convenience there is to go tromp around in a forest for extended periods of time? I don't feel the call of the wild, I don't know what to do with myself when I find myself alone with a tree, and I sure as heck don't know how to camp (we'll get to the this in a later post). Here are 7 reasons why you should go camping. 

1) WAIFOASWTM (We are in front of a screen way. too. much.)

Let's be real. We're in the 21st century and it's safe to assume that most people "do the whole internet thing." Whether we're browsing sites like Facebook or finding out which Amy Poehler character we are on BuzzFeed, we are on the internet. Don't even get me started on BuzzFeed. Sometimes I want nothing more in life than to kick back with a Shiner Bock and take BuzzFeed quizzes for 5 hours and 24 minutes with nothing in between except a poop break. In all seriousness though, it can be very liberating to get away from your phone or laptop for extended periods of time and simply enjoy life around you. Last year my phone was stolen. It was one of the best things that happened to me that semester (I don't lead a boring life, I swear). I didn't get another phone until a month down the road. I wasn't "on call" at every moment. On top of this, I wasn't worried that someone didn't text me back or that I was going to miss an opportunity to turn that perfect flower on the ground into a beautiful piece of art on my Instagram account (#nofilter). Don't be afraid to step away from technology for a few days, it can be liberating. 

2) YWATCM (You will appreciate the city more)

Ever heard of city fever? It's kind of like cabin fever except its a city instead of a cabin. No really, it's a thing. Before I came to the big apple (I feel like it should be a kiwi...I like kiwi better) all the way from Denver, one of my dad's friend warned me that I would go crazy if I didn't plan to leave the city every 6 months. He was totally wrong, plan to leave at least every 4 months. Having lived here for a little over 2 years now, I can attest to this. Camping is a great way to escape the looming towers of the city and experience life outside. And when you return, you will be reinvigorated and once again, have a positive outlook on living in the city. 

3) YGTMAGDC (You get to make a dagum campfire)

Campfires are a huge perk of camping. Where else do we get to quench our primordial thirst to stack up a truckload of firewood and light the thing on fire? The smell is great and you get to make some great food and snacks... like s'mores and steak, they go well together...like salmon and popcorn. There really isn't anything in the camping experience quite like staring into the flames and hearing the crackle and snap of the burning sap. 

4) YCPWYDWP (You can pee wherever you darn well please)

Typically it's socially frowned upon in society to take a squeege in any ol' place you feel like. But in nature, you can do whatever you want! It's pretty fantastic, especially if you're drinking beer, which everyone should do when heading out on a camping expedition. By the way, I think there's a Seinfeld episode about unlawful peeing...yeah Jerry gets arrested, it's really funny. 

5) YGTE (You get to explore)
When you're camping, the forest seems endless. When I was a kid my dad took the whole family camping many times. There was one particular time when we headed up to a site about 2 hours out of Boulder, CO and once we arrived, I wanted to explore. About 20 minutes later, after hiking a ways, I came to a river. Right there in front of me I saw a bridge that had been built by a family of beavers. Their dam was a little ways downstream. How cool is that? I ended up crossing the bridge which led to a good starting point to hike up the small mountain that we were camping next to. It's calming to go where there are no man-made things and simply think with nothing there to distract you. 

6) SSAS (Sleep, Sunsets, and Sunrises)

Sunrise in Aspen, Colorado

When you're camping, it's perfectly acceptable to go to bed at 9:00pm. After you have filled your day with hiking, fishing, and exploring, and then filled your evening with campfires, great food, and star gazing, you need a good nights sleep. You don't actually feel the New York City pressure to stay out late with friends in a city that never sleeps...that sounds horribly exhausting anyways. On top of the copious amounts of sleep you can get, you also get to experience beautiful sunsets and sunrises. It's a great feeling to wake up before the sun, unzip your sleeping bag to the morning chill and scramble as fast as you can to get your clothes on before your joints literally freeze. Once you've accomplished dressing yourself in record time, you can make a cup of coffee, hike a bit, and watch the sun rise over the trees. 

7) IACWTLTCB (It's a cheap way to leave the city behind)

One of the greatest things about camping is that it's cheap! You don't have to spend money on a hotel and you make your own meals instead of eating out. A big plus is that the initial cost of camping is a one time fee. When you acquire the basic camping gear, it should last a very long period of time. It's also super fun (and can be a bit dangerous) to go to your outdoor supply store, like REI or Dick's Sporting Goods, and browse the latest and greatest in camping gadgetry.  

BONUS: Hiking destination for the New Yorker

Looking out over the Hudson after the ascent!

Breakneck Ridge is a fantastic place of escape for the one day hike. It's a gorgeous area with a few different hiking routes. It's located about an hour and a half upstate and you don't need much to survive. Here is a checklist of the things you'll need!

• $26.50 for the Metro North ticket that gets you on the train out of Grand Central
• Backpack
• 1 full water bottle
• Lunch and snack (nuts or raisins)
• Hiking Shoes
• Wind breaker jacket
• Hiking buddy

Look for a full review of Breakneck Ridge in my next post!