Living Outdoors in the Winter

Your body is an engine. It has two goals:

1. stay alive and comfortable
2. obtain objective (Ex: climb a peak, get to a destination, etc. )

ON-TRAIL

• Needs
  • keep body warm -adjust clothes to temperature DRESS IN LAYERS
  • keep clothes dry
  • keep engine stoked: fuel & water = eat & drink

OFF-TRAIL

• Needs
  • water
  • wind protection
  • warmth
  • low-impact
• Procedures
  1. determine wind direction and strength
  2. select location
  3. set-up cooking area ( DO NOT COOK INSIDE TENT! )
  4. secure water source (start melting snow) (ALWAYS start with some water)
  5. set-up shelter:
     • tent
       • make sure it's double-walled (so you don't get rained on)
       • to provide wind protection, position accordingly and ANCHOR
     • snow cave (see other instructions)
  6. unroll sleeping bag and mattress
     • construction types:
       • sewn-thru vs box
       • mummy vs rectangular
     • materials:
       • down
         • most efficent insulation/weight
         • very compressible
         • hard to clean
         • loses insulation when wet
       • synthetic
         • cheaper
         • moisture resistant
         • dries quickly
         • heavier/bulkier than down
     • additional warmth:
       • extra blankets (fleece wool, 2nd bag)
       • extra clothes
       • liner
       • breathe through sweater
     • ALWAYS USE A MATT/PAD & WATERPROOF GROUND COVERING!
  7. establish latrine
  8. start dinner
  9. eat
  10. clean-up
  11. go to bed
      • setup clothes to dry
      • put critical clothes in sleeping bag
      • do NOT put water bottle in sleeping bag