Camp Fire Fajitas Make the Mouth Water
I am an avid lover of camping under the stars. I guess it’s the outdoors that seem to make the problems and stresses of the world fade away into a distant memory. To enhance this even more, I continuously research, experiment and upgrade my camp fire cooking abilities every opportunity that I get.
One of my more favored unique camp fire meals is fajitas. The first step in a good fajita roast is finding good fajitas. You should explore your grocery store meat market in search of beef skirt steak and some chicken breasts.
The skirt steak can be a bit on the tough side if you fail to marinate the heck out of it. So, with that in mind, grab yourself a nice sized zip lock bag that will hold your skirt steak and the marinade. You may need to do this with a couple of zip lock bags.
My little home brew marinade is a can of any beer, some white vinegar, salt, pepper and I like to throw in some jalapenos to spice it up a bit. Let that sit in the refrigerator or cooler over night, two is better, so it is thoroughly saturated.
The chicken breasts really do not need any marinade. A simple rub will suffice in whatever flavor you would like. I prefer Cajun spice myself.
Now, the trick is getting that fire going just right. You will have to find my camp fire building article for more information on this. But, I will give you the brief break down. What you will need to do is get your coals or wood down to a nice hot layer of coals. This should be hot enough that it would prevent you from holding your hand within five to six inches of it for more than five seconds.
Now, you spread out your coals evenly. Then, place your camp grill over the fire. Let me give you a quick tip on cleaning your grill. There is nothing better than slicing an onion in half, poking a fork into it and then running it up and down your grill. This is even better when the fire is going. The fluids and acids in the onion will sure clean that grill off quickly and you do not have to worry about left over chemicals.
Once you get the grill in place over the fire, you should go ahead and place your chicken breasts onto the center of the grill; which is the hottest part. You chicken will go first because it will take the longest to cook.
Let the chicken roast for a bit, about ten minutes should do it, and then flip it over. Again, leave the chicken center grill for about another five minutes or so. At that point, you should move the chicken to the outside of the grill. By now, the inside of the chicken should be cooking in its own juices. The chicken will continue to cook, just not as rapidly.
The reason you moved the chicken to the outside of the grill is to make a spot for your beef skirt steaks. These will take up quite a bit of room. You will want to remove your skirt steak from the zip lock bags. Do not slice up the flank of skirt steak. You should just lay this right onto the grill. Now, this is a thin piece of meat, so it will cook rather quickly. It should not take more than five minutes on one side and flipping it over for another ten minutes on the other side.
The beef skirt steak will cause some flare up from your coals. I personally like my fajitas to be a bit charred. That is just me though, you may not. So, to control this, keep yourself a spray bottle full of water handy. Or you can rough it, and just splash some beer over the coals every now and then to control the flames.
The beef skirt steak will begin to shrink down slightly and curl a bit as it cooks. After fifteen minutes or so, it should be pretty much ready. If you like yours well done, cook it another five or ten minutes.
Remove the beef from the grill. Now, ensure that you slice against the grain of the beef when cutting your fajita strips. This will keep your beef tender.
Use a toothpick to poke a deep hole into the chicken breasts. The fluids should be clear, if not, let it cook another ten minutes or so. You can even cut into the breast and check for doneness. It does not hurt the meat to leave it on after cutting into it. You just do not want to do that too often.
Now, cut up all of your meat and place it in tin foil to keep it warm. Throw some tortillas onto the grill and allow the grates to brown them slightly. Remove these from the grill when browned to your preference and the stack of tortillas in foil to keep them warm.
All that’s left is to load your tortilla with beef, chicken, salsa, and guacamole and squeeze some lime onto it and you are ready to go. Enjoy.
William “Cole” Doggett is an expert in knives and owns a successful Internet based website, Knife & Supply Company, LLC at http://www.KnifeSupplyCompany.com. His website is devoted to all things tactical law enforcement, military, outdoors and of course, Knives.
How to Pitch a Tent Well
Trapper’s bivouac - sleeping bag, ranger’s tent and bivouac fire. These are enough to let you sleep comfortably through a cold night. If you are to be truly at home in the outside, you should learn how to build a shelter for yourself. There is no genuine trapper or ranger who has not spent at least one night sleeping under the sky. We’ve all read stories about the weary traveler who “dug a hollow for his hips in the soft ground and slept until dawn.”
Even this primitive sleeping arrangement calls for some knowledge of how to adjust to the prevailing conditions. Try lying down on the bare ground to sleep. You will notice quickly enough that the hip bone on whichever side you are lying is in your way. Dig out a depression, just big enough for your hip bone, and you will immediately notice how much more comfortable you are. You can go one step further, and cushion the hole with some fine sand, or you can place some slightly crumpled paper in the hollow for insulation against the cold.
You can be even more comfortable if you put up a ranger’s tent, which requires very few materials. All you need is a rectangular piece of cotton cloth, 6 or 7 feet long. To waterproof it, make a brew from the bark of an oak or birch tree, and let the cloth soak in it for two days. The ranger’s tent can then be used as a raincoat too.
In one corner make an eyelet large enough to run a thick cord through. At the other three corners, sew on small leather loops that you will attach to the tent pegs.
With this cloth, a solid cord 10 to 14 feet long, and a few pieces of branches from which you can cut your own tent pegs, you will have sufficient equipment to sleep out pleasantly on even a cool summer night without having to worry about a cloudburst. Set the tent up as pictured in the illustration.
The way you pitch the tent is important. The entrance must remain open and the tent should narrow toward the rear, so you must always be careful to have the opening turned away from the windy or storm side. To keep out the cold, you can hang a raincoat or windbreaker in front of the opening, or put your rucksack in front of it. There’s an even simpler way: gather some leafy limbs and branches and, after you crawl into the tent, close off the entrance with them, sticking them in the ground like a fence in front of the opening. You can also do as rangers do. In cold weather they just light a fire in front of the tent entrance and lay a few thick, dry branches on the coals before going to bed. If the tent is set up right, the wind will carry the smoke away from it.
The choice of a camping site is important. The earth should not have too much clay, or it will keep the water from being absorbed. And don’t camp in the middle of a hollow where the rain water can collect. Loose, sandy ground is warm and comfortable. It is pleasant to have a wooded area or a rise in the ground to protect you from the storm side. In northern latitudes, the storm side is the west, northwest, or southwest.
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Camping Checklist - Don’t Go On A Camping Trip Without It
What is more enjoyable than gathering the whole family and spending quality time for a few days outdoors at a campsite at State Park, Missouri for instance. There is no better way to have this kind of opportunity to get connected with Mother Nature to enjoy the scenery, flowers and wildlife.
It is understandable to get excited about your camping trip. However, it is important that you prepare everything beforehand as you may never know what nature has in store for us, be it good or bad.
That is why every camper should have a camping checklist with them before leaving for the great outdoor experience.
Below is the ultimate camper’s checklist that has been categorized into the following categories:
- Personals
- Camping essentials
- Camping tent checklist
- Camp fire
- Sleeping system
- First aid kit
- Clothing
- Kitchen utensils and gas appliances
- Children and baby supplies
- Before leaving home
1. Personals checklist - grooming and hygiene kit such as tooth brush, tooth paste, shampoo, towels, insect repellant, soap, deodorant, sun block, lip balm, comb, sunglasses, toilet paper and a trusty sewing kit.
2. Camping essentials checklist - driver’s license, ID card, money, GPS or compass, map, pocket knife, binoculars, flashlights, battery packs, bulbs, lantern, water, canteen, rope, radio, camera, lots of films, clothesline, clothespin, foldable table, lounge chair and clock.
3. Camping tent checklist - tent, ground sheet, mallet, spare pegs, spare poles, spare ground sheet, peg extractor, fabsil (tent reproofer), shock cord repair kit and tent repair kit.
4. Camp fire checklist - matches, wood, shovel, axe, kindling, newspaper, extinguisher and campfire permit.
5. Sleeping system checklist - sleeping bags, camp beds, mattress or camper mat, pillows, air bed and pump, blankets and air bed repair kit.
6. First aid kit checklist - medicines for flu, fever, headaches, stomach ulcer and allergy. Band aids, antiseptics and antibiotic cream for wound. Tweezers to take out splinters. Pocket tissues are advisable.
7. Clothing checklist - a cozy pair of shirt and sweat pants, gloves, jackets, sweater, thermals, hiking boots, sneakers, sandals, socks of varying thickness, underwear, wellies, fleece, swimsuits, pajamas, tank tops, hats and bandannas. Not to mention waterproof jackets and trousers.
8. Kitchen utensils and gas appliances checklist - food container, insulator for frozen food, pots and pans, thermos, aluminium foil, fuel, stove, matches or lighter, disposable utensils, dish towels, bottle and can opener, knife, trash bags, zip lock bags, mugs, bowls, coffee pot, spatula, dish soap, table cloth and skewers for campfire barbequing or marshmallow toasting.
9. Children and baby supplies checklist - for babies, baby food, milk, diapers and baby wipes, pacifier, bottles, bibs, spoons, blankets, high chair, play pen, stroller, stuffed toys, tub and books. For toddlers, games for rainy days and for traveling, pencils, crayons, papers bucket and shovel, kites and frisbees.
10. Before leaving home checklist - lock all doors and windows, turn off all lights and appliances such as television and computer, hold all mail, water the garden, adjust the thermostat and make pet arrangements.
By no means that the above camp checklist is complete as there are a lot more that are not listed above. Be smart about what you consider necessary to bring and what items can you leave home without.
With these filled up, your camping trip would be a blast.
Juzaily Ramli and Tommy Lehmann are camping buddies and love to camp whenever they could find the time. Find out some of the things that you can’t go camping without: http:www.campingtriptips.com/supplies and http://www.campingtriptips.com/gear
3 Tips For Choosing Your Camping Backpack To Avoid A Bad Camping Experience
Choosing a backpack for your camping adventure is a very important one. It’s not “just a bag” that so many inexperienced campers say. Though it seems such a small matter, your backpack can benefit you in ways that you could never imagine, especially when you are out there trekking or camping and all you have is an ill-fitting backpack.
Still skeptical? In 1994, a hiker who went on a trip to the Appalachians had to have his trip cut short and had to go home broken and bleeding because of an ill-fitting backpack that damaged his hips. Almost a decade later, he went back hiking with a better backpack and managed to make 960 miles of terrain.
Never underestimate the importance of a good backpack to avoid inconveniences that might be caused by terrible equipment. With that in mind, here are tips to help you choose a good backpack for the journey that lies ahead of you.
1. Know what you need - Bear in mind that, campers and hikers’ needs vary in their preferences, some are minimalists and take only what’s necessary or the bare essentials. Others might take a lot more equipment with them, as if they are planning to camp for a month. Decide on the type of equipment you need to bring with you and its quantity, this way will help you decide what backpacks you will need.
Deciding on the amount of space you need is quite easy. Ask the sales representative on the amount of space their bags offer. They might be able to explain a thing or two. As a rule of thumb, pretend that you are going for the longest trip and prepare for a space that could cater for that.
2. Look for comfort - The most important thing to consider when choosing a backpack is to look for comfort. A good backpack should be one that can carry the most weight but with the least amount of effort.
A good backpack should be able to distribute weight efficiently and therefore provide you the maximum comfort when you’re carrying the backpack. One way to find how well a bag handles its content is by testing them yourself. Most camp stores provide sand weights for you to place inside the backpack. See how the backpack handles the weight every time you add a sand bag in. Only you can decide as to how much weight is comfortable for you before you consider purchasing one.
Another rule of thumb to consider is the straps. Shoulder straps and hip straps. The shoulder straps of your backpack should carry about 30% of the weight and the hip strap should be able to carry 70% of the weight as it is more stable. Make sure that these straps are comfortable and unrestrictive. Try moving around in the backpack, preferably with the sand bags included, to see how much mobility the backpack gives you.
Ask the sales representative if the straps have sternum straps. They are used to stabilize the backpack. These straps should be positioned below your collarbone for comfort and stability when you’re carrying it.
Most hip belts constrict your breathing. Find a backpack that does not constrict your breathing but at the same time should not reduce your mobility.
3. Choose your frame - There are two types of frames - internal and external frames - for you to choose from. Internal framed backpacks are suitable for hard trails as they are so maneuverable and do not restrain your mobility. They are slimmer and hug your body closer. If internal frames are for hard trail, external frames are the opposite. It’s suitable for beginners and children as they are used for easy trails and easier to pack.
4. Other extras - Most backpacks are designed in such a way that it allows you to include extra components to be integrated with your backpack such as rings and snap-ons. Also make sure that the backpack that you like is compatible with weather sheets to protect it.
Every year, different backpacks with a new and improved technology come out. Not to mention the different types of beautiful designs for you to choose. The best thing for you to do before buying a camping backpack is to try them out yourself.
However, in the end, a good backpack goes hand-in-hand with a great trek. Choose your backpack carefully as it is your most trusted companion during all of your camping trips. A good backpack will enhance your camping experience tenfold. So take your time when it comes to choosing your backpack as it might be the main factor in determining whether your camping or hiking experience be a good one or a bad one.
Juzaily Ramli and Tommy Lehmann are camping buddies. Choosing a good backpack is vital to your camping experience. Find out more about backpacks and other camping equipment at http://www.campingtriptips.com/backpacks and http://www.campingtriptips.com/equipment
Review Camping Gear - Comparison Shopping With a Mouse Click
Once you have decided which items you need for your outdoor adventures, reading camping gear reviews is a great way to compare different product features and prices. There are a number of excellent outdoor review sites on the Web and you can find out the details on almost any product with the click of a mouse.
Camping gear reviews are available for all the well known brands and even some more obscure ones. You can read up on a diverse range of products including tents and tarps, backpacks, clothes, sleeping bags, camping stoves, pocket knives, first aid supplies, lanterns, GPS systems, 2-way radios and other high-tech gadgets suitable for the outdoor enthusiast.
Camping gear reviews enable you to compare the features of several different products in different price ranges with very little fuss. This means that you can browse items in the comfort of your own home and take your time making up your mind about the items that best suit you. There is no danger of being pressurized in-store when you take the time to review each item before you leave your home.
Several web sites offer camping gear reviews written by consumers. This is a great way to explore the pros and cons of a product. There are also sites that offer independent reviews written by experts in the field. These are reviews that are not paid for by the manufacturer of the product.
This is a great way to uncover the truth about the advantages and disadvantages of a product. When consulting reviews for different products don not search based on price alone. There are often products that are only slightly more expensive but provide superior quality and features which enhance your camping experience. Do not be tempted to buy the cheapest items.
Even if you are working within a budget search items that are in a tier above what you think you are willing to pay. You may be surprised at how you can actually save money buying a better quality product. Use the camping gear reviews to find out what the positives and negatives of each product are and weigh them against each other to choose the one that best suits you.
Camping can be a great experience for the whole family. There is nothing quite like traveling into the wilderness and communing with the natural world. If you are a first time camper you will probably need around $600 for basic camping gear. Use camping gear reviews to determine how much of the budget should be allocated to each item.
Use online camping gear reviews to work out how much you should set aside for your tent, rainfly and tarp, bedding, kitchen utensils, stove, lantern etc. This makes buying your first camping equipment easier and much more cost effective. Try to avoid manufacturer reviews as these might not tell you the whole story. Rather choose independent and consumer reviews but bear in mind that these might also be subject to bias.
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Outdoor Fireplaces For A Group Of People
Outdoor fireplaces are more or less of the same basic design as a traditional indoor fireplace, outdoor fireplaces can be made from a variety of materials that range from stone, brick, cast iron and concrete to cast iron, aluminium, sheet metal, clay and copper.
Stone, brick and concrete fireplaces are long lasting (though a large fire can occasionally crack concrete). Clay fireplaces are inexpensive, but do not last and need to be kept dry. Sheet metal fireplaces are one of the cheapest outdoor fireplaces in the market. They are often regarded as disposable items, to be thrown out when rusted or at the end of their useful lifespan.
Outdoor fireplaces made of cast iron and cast aluminium, are very similar to one another. Cast iron outdoor fireplaces are heavy, solid and long lasting, but prone to rust and also need a fair amount of maintenance. So, cast aluminium fireplaces have a slight advantage, being built for safety, low maintenance and durability as well as being portable and rustproof.
Copper fireplaces are extremely attractive. However, they turn green over time, and their cast iron supports and bases display an alarming tendency to rust quickly, staining whatever surface they’re standing on. Copper, sheet metal and clay fireplaces are also not as safe, or as durable, as cast iron and cast aluminium fireplaces.
There are several types of outdoor fireplaces; namely portable gas fire pits, wood burning fire pits and chimeneas. Chimeneas are classified as fireplaces with a chimney that protects guests from fumes and excess heat. They provide fires with a continuous supply of fresh air and are clean burning, fairly safe and efficient in fuel consumption.
Fire pits, in general, are large bowls or open air spaces in which fires are built. Though some fire pits do have chimneys, they do not afford much protection from the elements. A strong wind can very often shower family, guests, food, table decorations and neighbouring houses with red hot embers.
The best and most popular fuel for outdoor fireplaces is hard wood. This is however difficult to come by in some places, or is prohibited by local authorities due to environmental reasons. Alternative sources of fuel include manufactured fire logs, natural gas, propane and gel inserts.
Fire knows neither friend nor foe and burns without discrimination. For this reason it is always advisable to have a fire extinguisher or a large container of water nearby for use in an emergency, with outdoor fireplaces, or indeed when a fire of any kind is in use.
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Modern Camping Equipment Is A Long Way From Roughing It
When someone mentions the word camping, do you think of a chilly night’s sleep on hard ground that usually involves a rock poking into your back? Well, think again. Camping equipment has come a long way since the days of cramped, orange oilcloth tents and sleeping bags that leave you shivering. Popularity has encouraged camping equipment manufacturers to develop their gear so that today’s tents are ultra-light and pack-able, keeping you warm and dry with plenty of room to spare and the sleeping bags you’ll find on store shelves are able to handle even the deepest colds before you feel a shiver.
There are other amenities that can make your camping trip comfortable and even close to luxurious. There’s no need to sleep on the cold, hard ground, as plenty of pack-able sleeping pads and mattresses will give you a great night’s rest, and for those who still yearn for a comfortable bed, there are portable cots complete with mattresses that can easily fit in a car or SUV. While camping is usually considered roughing it and most facilities that provide tent space require that you walk a distance to share public bathrooms, new developments have made it possible to buy small port-a-potties that even flush just like a regular toilet, which makes those midnight trips to the bathroom a breeze.
The lanterns you’ll find on the market have also come a long way from the oil-and-flame relics of decades ago. Rechargeable batteries and halogen bulbs have turned lighting up your camping area easy, and most lanterns have different settings for intense, bright light for the outdoors or softer reading lighting for inside the tent. Other accessories make camping even more pleasurable, including mosquito tents that you can set up over a picnic table for eating in peace, and unbreakable dishes that are nothing like the tin ones our parents used to use. Propane stoves for cooking are now closer to small stoves complete with two to four burners, enough to make a stir fry with chicken, fresh vegetables and a side dish of rice. For coffee cravers, there are drip-style accessories that make having a cup of hot java from fresh grinds easy and quick.
As with anything on the market today, there are varying qualities of camping equipment and prices range from cheap to extremely expensive. The good thing about camping gear is that even the cheapest items are usually just fine for regular vacations and you’ll probably get plenty of wear and tear out of them before they give up the ghost. More than just investing in some camping equipment to keep you comfortable in the wilderness, you’ll also be investing in some memories you’ll be able to share with your family and friends for a long time.
John Edmond writes regularly for Living And Camping Outdoors where you can read many more articles on outdoor living and recreation. Go to http://www.livingandcampingoutdoors.com/ for more resources to help you stay safe make the most outdoor life.
Tips On Surviving Blizzards
Nothing is more enjoyable than going out on a snowy day. The scenery of freshly-fallen snow can be absolutely romantic. A day of clean air while sledding, skiing or skating could do your body a world of good - but a good time could quickly take a treacherous turn for the worst, should you find yourself caught in the middle of an unexpected blizzard. Taking a few minutes to make sure you are properly prepared for such an event could make the difference between survival or disaster.
Sometimes, we can’t avoid driving in a snowstorm, but when you’re out on the road in bad weather, you need to be prepared in case you get stuck or have to pull over and wait the storm out. Carry a blanket in your trunk at all times, as you need to stay warm. Don’t scrimp on quality and make sure the blanket is heavy enough to provide plenty of warmth.
If you don’t have the shelter of a car while you’re stuck in a blizzard, it’s important to find some sort of shelter from the elements, especially the wind. Anything that can provide protection from the wind will help, and cover all your exposed skin, including your face, if you can.
If you can’t find shelter, try to build yourself some, by banking up snow or even digging a small cave. Use tree branches or anything else you can find that might be good for a lean-to. Be creative. Also, try to start a fire to help keep you warm and to attract attention.
You have probably heard that you should eat snow to stay hydrated when caught in a blizzard. This advice is actually harmful. If you eat fresh snow, the cold temperature of the snow will lower your body temperature. Your body will need to expend much needed calories to warm up the snow, robbing you of energy that you will need to survive. Snow is, however, a good source of hydration when caught in a snowstorm. What you must do is melt the snow first. Then you can drink the resulting water. The warmer you can make the melted snow, the better off you will be.
Stay inside the car if you can. Your car will be your shelter and your heat source until help arrives. Run the car once an hour for a few minutes (ten at the most) to heat the interior. Don’t waste gas by running the engine much more than that. Clear the snow away from the exhaust or else the fumes can back up into the car. Make sure to move around too, as you need to keep your circulation up to stay warm. When stranded with other people, take advantage of the extra body heat by sticking close.
John Edmond runs and writes regularly for Living And Camping Outdoors where you can read many more articles on outdoor living and recreation. Go to http://www.livingandcampingoutdoors.com/ for more resources to help you stay safe make the most of outdoor life.
The Do’s And Don’ts Of Desert Survival
Should you find yourself lost or stranded in the desert, your ability to survive will depend on how quickly you can find a source of water. Most of us take water for granted; it’s always there in convenient, little plastic bottles at the corner store or our own refrigerators. Not so in the middle of the desert. The hot sun, dry air, and lack of shade can suck every bit of moisture from your body without you realizing it. Unless you’re a camel or a Joshua tree, your chances of going for any long term period of time without hydration are pretty slim.
In the desert, shelter might be difficult to find. If you can, look for an outcropping of rocks that cast a shadow for some shade, or if you have a blanket, use that as a lean to for shade against the sun. The idea is to keep those burning rays off of your body until nightfall when you can move on. The desert is so dry that you might not realize exactly how hot it is until it’s too late, and then heat exhaustion sets in. Stay covered as best as you can.
If you find that you are stranded in the desert for a prolonged period, adjust your sleeping schedule to make yourself nocturnal. While in your shaded refuge, take inventory of the survival supplies that you have. When traveling in the desert, you should carry a penknife, water purification tablets, something small to store water, small first aid kit, mirror, rope or chord, and a space blanket. Also, while you are waiting for nightfall, look for water sources.
If you have a space blanket, your first job once the sun sets is to set up a lean-to using your chord and any available trees, cacti, or rocks. If you have water with you, you need to ration it carefully. Do not drink more than you must have. The best way to judge if your water intake is sufficient is through the color of your urine. If it is excessively dark, you are not getting enough water.
Now you are ready to look for water. If you see any dry streambeds, dig at the lowest, outside point. Make sure you do this at night! If you have a plastic bag on your person, wrap it around the limb of a tree or bush that is exposed to the sun. As the sun warms the bag, it will cause the plant to transpire, and you will be able to collect the resulting water.
Finally, if you have a good knife, you can cut open cactus plants and squeeze water out of the moist flesh inside. Use caution when working with cacti since they are full of painful spines. The easiest cactus to use for water procuring is the prickly pear. You can burn off the thorns and then eat the meat of the plant. It is sweet and full of needed moisture.
John Edmond writes regularly for Living And Camping Outdoors where you can read many more articles on outdoor living and recreation. Go to http://www.livingandcampingoutdoors.com/ for more resources to help you stay safe make the most outdoor life.
Important Tips for Winter Camping Shelter
While most people think of camping as being an exclusive summer activity, camping during colder months can be an adventure to experience. While warmer-weather camping pretty much only involves packing a bag of clothes, filling a cooler and tossing the tent in the car, winter camping does require some extra preparation.
The camping equipment and clothing available today for cold-weather situations is exceptional for staying warm and dry, but knowing how to deal with snow, ice and storms is important for winter camping, as much as being prepared for rain and lightening is during summer vacations.
The most important thing to consider when planning a winter camping trip is shelter. The elements during cold weather can be extremely harsh, and a good shelter can mean the difference between risky danger and a great experience. The tent you choose for winter camping has to be strong and solid to withstand snow and wind. Ratings for seasons are usually indicated on packaging, so make sure you pick a four-season tent that’s designed with a slope to allow snow to fall off the roof.
Accumulating snow can be extremely heavy and your tent could collapse. Dome tents are ideal for winter camping, but do also purchase a ground sheet or tarp to lie down before you set the tent up. Your body heat will melt snow underneath you and create a layer of ice that could potentially damage the tent floor or make it wet.
Your tent also needs a good waterproof rain-fly. Below zero temperatures is no guarantee that you won’t get rained on, and your tent needs protection from freezing rain. The slope of a four-season tent will help let the water run off and the strength of the construction will help with ice build-up. Rain-flies also reduce condensation by keeping warm air in but letting the tent breath to allow humidity to escape.
Your breath and body will provide a good 10 to 20 degrees of moist warmth, and ideally the dampness shouldn’t be held inside the tent. To further reduce humidity, have a brush on hand to remove snow from your clothing and footwear before entering the tent, as melting snow creates condensation and leaves water on the floor of the tent.
When you’re choosing a spot where you’d like your campsite to be, try to take into consideration how the elements are going to come into play with your relative comfort. Exposed areas are definitely to be avoided, as winds can sweep your warmth away and pile up snow against your tent. Likewise, stay away from valleys where the cold air will sink down and prevent you from staying warm. A flat location is always ideal, but do make sure that your tent isn’t in an avalanche zone or underneath a tree. Heavy snow can bring branches crashing down on top of your shelter.
Camping in the snow is an adventure that really isn’t any different than summer camping. Both have considerations for shelter and safety, and both have their own hazards and risks - they’re simply at extremes of each other. Avoiding winter camping because you’re put off by the thought of careful preparation really is a shame, because if you’ve done your homework and know exactly how to make sure your shelter will keep you protected from the chill, the experience can be an exhilarating, beautiful one that you’ll remember fondly for years.
John Edmond runs and writes regularly for http://www.livingandcampingoutdoors.com/ where you can read many more articles on outdoor living and recreation. Also go to http://www.wellspokenaudio.com/ for entertaining audiobooks on camping and much more.
