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Staying Warm On A Backpacking Trip

Knowing how to stay warm is one of the most basic and critical skills to have if you are going to go backpacking or participate in a variety of other outdoor activities. In most cases you will either stay warm or you will die.

Exposure to the elements is the number one cause of death of those that die in the wilderness. Even without the threat of death, you will be more comfortable and you will have more fun if you are warm.

If you are going to survive cold conditions while backpacking, you must be properly prepared with the right equipment and knowledge. The specific equipment that you choose to take with you will depend slightly on the environment you will be traveling in, the climate, and the possible weather conditions for the area.

You will need to research your area to make sure that you are fully prepared. However, there are many basic pieces of equipment that will be critical to your survival.
Staying Warm On A Backpacking Trip


The first thing you will want to know how to do correctly is where to set up camp. You should know that hilltops are windy and cold.

Valleys are also filled with cold air at night. Generally the best place to set up camp is in between the valleys and hilltops on a flat location.

Most of the time a location halfway up the hill is much warmer and less windy. Of course it helps you if you have the right kind of shelter to protect you from the elements as well.

The second thing you should do is wear clothes to bed. The extra layers will help you stay warmer.

If you shake or fluff them out before you climb into your sleeping bag, they will be able to keep you even warmer. The more layers you can wear, the warmer you will be.

The third thing you should do is take and wear a hat. Your head is the primary area where your body loses heat.

By wearing a hat you will capture this heat. Instead of escaping, this heat will help your body stay warmer.

Consider wearing the hat to bed as well. It will definitely help you stay warmer throughout the night.

Another thing you will want to make sure you do is go to bed dry. If you go swimming before you plan to go to sleep, make sure you give yourself enough time to dry off before you go to bed.

Be sure that you change into dry clothes. If one night happens to be warm, you can dry your wet clothes with your body heat as you sleep.

The next night may be cold, and you may need these clothes to be dry. Another great cold survival technique is to cover your head with your sleeping bad so that you breathe into your sleeping bag.

The heat from your breath will keep you warm. However, if it is very wet or humid you will not want to perform this technique.

Moisture is also carried on your breath and it will make you sleeping bag damp. With the added humidity, this will make you colder.

If you can, fill up a water bottle with hot water left over from cooking you dinner and stick it in your sleeping bag. Heating up rocks and putting them near you will also work, but a water bottle is much safer.

At night the ground tends to become very cold. Try to insulate yourself by gathering a layer of pine-needles, dead leaves, or dry grass to lay your sleeping bag on.

Not only will this provide you with a cushion so you will be more comfortable throughout the night, but you will be warmer. This is a good technique to practice even if you do not have a sleeping bag.

It is critical that you stay warm as you backpack. Add and remove clothing to stay warm, but to avoid sweating.
Staying Warm On A Backpacking Trip


Sweat will make you cool down too much when you stop if you are not careful. There is a much higher risk of developing hypothermia if you are wet.

Overall, it is important to conserve your energy. It is very hard for your body to stay warm if it has no fuel to do this with.

Hiking is hard enough without the cold taking a toll on your body as well. However, with this knowledge and proper preparation you will be able to survive the cold and you will enjoy your backpacking trip tremendously.

by: Terry Daniels




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