Cooped Up? Get Uncooped.

Get less than nine of the following true-and-false questions right and maybe you should reconsider any plans you had for winter camping this year. You could get yourself and others into trouble out there. Maybe spent some time reading and studying the subject by a nice cozy fire and give it a try next winter.

1. Waterproofing is the No. 1 consideration in clothing for cold-weather camping.

2. Place your tent where it will catch the sunrise in the morning to use the radiated heat to help evaporate moisture, or even ice, on the tent.

3. Cooking outdoors in cold weather will take twice as long as in warmer weathers, maybe longer.

4. Leather boots will keep you feet snug and dry.

5. Sleeping with your nose and mouth inside the sleeping bag will increase heat retention overnight.

6. If possible, it’s best to place your tent on slightly higher ground.

7. Water consumption requirements are less in colder months.

8. Clean materials have more insulating power.

9. Winter camping really doesn’t require all that much more preparation than any other form of camping.

10. A small, high-calorie snack at bedtime will keep you warmer through the night.

11. Mittens will keep your hands warmer than gloves.

12. Tasks take longer in cold-weather conditions.

Answers

1. False. While waterproofing is a major concern for that outer layer, beathabilty is even more important. You want to wick that sweat as far away from your skin and inner layers as you can.

2. True. It also can add just a few degrees of morning heat inside the tent.

3. True. That steam coming off the pot is heat loss. Use a lid as much as possible. And remember, it’s going to take longer to produce heated water for cleaning up after the meal as well.

4. False. Leather boots are generally worn tighter than more heavily insulated boots and that can restrict circulation in the feet, which naturally lowers temperatures in those extremities. In addition, the cloth stitching of leather boots can wick outside moisture to the inside of the boot.

5. False. The moisture of respiration will soak the materials and insulation of the bag, reducing the effectiveness of the insulation.

6. True. Cold air, being heavier, tends to sink and settle into low-lying areas.

7. False. You’ll be active, which means perspiration, maybe even more than normal under all that insulation, and your body will be running hot to battle the environment you’ve placed it in. Drink.

8. True. Dirt, sweat and such can pack the air spaces in the insulation and those are a critical part of the insulating design.

9. False. You do realize that nearly every state occasionally experiences arctic weather, with sub-freezing temperatures and harsh wind chill.

10. True. You body will react to the fuel input and kick up its internal furnance. But, stay away from the emptry calories of too much sugar.

11. True. Mittens allow your fingers to be in direct contact with each other, thus sharing the warmth. They also reduce the area of exposure around each finger.

12. True. Count on it. You’ll be dealing with your own discomforts, trying to maintain and protect your gear from the elements, and getting the task done.

• cold
• weather
• camping