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This page explores the strategies we use to stay warm in cold conditions.
Stay dry
Wet clothing or skin saps your warmth. In cold conditions, put on waterproof clothing at the first sign of serious rain or snow. Try to minimise the amount of rain or snow that enters your pack, making things inside cold and damp. Never wear jeans, as they dry slowly and remain cold when damp. Be disciplined around camp and put things away quickly; that way, if it does rain suddenly your gear won't get wet.
Layer your clothing
Greater numbers of thin clothing are warmer than fewer layers of thick clothing. This is because warm air is trapped between the layers, insulating you. Wear three layers for maximum warmth:
1. a layer next to your body which wicks moisture away from your body. This could be a synthetic shirt or polypropylene thermals.
2. an insulating layer of wool or fleece. A thin fleece and a woollen vest provides a range of different temperature options.
3. a waterproof layer. Ideally this would be a breathable material such as Gore-tex.
This does two things. First, it creates several layers to trap warm air. Secondly, it creates a pathway for the moisture from your body to be passed from layer to layer and out of your garments, thereby preventing you from becoming wet from sweat.
Shelter from the wind
The wind robs you of warmth. While out and about, protect yourself from it using your waterproof gear or a Windstopper fleece. In camp, choose a sheltered campsite out of the wind.
Eat well
We find that foods rich in carbohydrates such as pasta tend to keep us warm during the night better than other foods. Complete freeze-dried meals in a packet also seem to work well. Although it should not be given to hypothermic people, we think that chocolate is wonderful on both a physiological and psychological level.
Insulate your tent
In the snow, you can turn your tent into a fortress against the cold:
- make a wall of snow about a foot high around the tent to the windward side to keep the wind out, or even burrow slightly into a snow drift
- insulate the floor of the tent with a space blanket and/or 5mm closed-cell foam cut to the size and shape of the tent
- We think you get wetter on a cold night from condensation from your breath than you do from rain. Therefore, counter-intuitively, we keep the door open slightly during the night so that condensation from our breath can escape.
Maintain morale
I'm not sure if morale goes with warmth, or if warmth goes with morale. Either way, they are linked.
- Never underestimate the usefulness of a clown in the party. If you don't have one, carry a small soft toy or sock puppet which can make appropriate snide remarks when things are looking grim.
- A deck of cards can take people's minds off things and maintain a social atmosphere in a crowded tent.
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