"Snow is a terrific insulator. Snow shelters are much warmer than tents for winter camping because they retain
heat and keep out the cold wind. If you have adequate time for building snow shelters, you will spend a much
more comfortable night sleeping in them than in a tent."  

Cold Weather Camping (Excellent Info Here!)

The Basics (from www.inquiry.net)

Snow Shelters

Building a snow shelter by Hal Weiss

"The IceBox" - What a cool tool!

Some personally tested tips from Past Scoutmaster Mr. Gruber:

  • Use TWO sleep pads, one that MUST be a close-cell foam pad. (Not inflatable) If you have one foam pad and the
    other inflatable, be sure that the foam pad is on the bottom.

  • Bring a 2nd, soft, warm winter hat that is long enough to pull down over your eyes and to the tip of your nose. DO
    NOT wear this hat during the day – this hat is your sleep hat.

  • Bring a clean, dry pair of socks for sleeping. Change your socks just before you get into your sleeping bag. When
    you remove your socks that you wore during the day, your feet will be damp. Wave your feet around a bit to dry
    them before putting the clean socks on. (burrr…)

  • Use your backup warmth layer (a vest, warm sweatshirt, sweater, etc) as an over-layer to your sleeping bag. Zip up
    the vest and slip it over the bottom of your sleeping bag (on the outside) to cover your feet. This adds a second
    layer for your legs and feet.

  • Finally, take your unzipped winter coat and place it over your sleeping bag covering your upper body. This will add a
    second layer of insulation over your core body parts.

  • Be sure to have good ventilation in your tent. Moisture is your enemy, so you want to be sure to vent out the
    moisture created from your breath.

  • One last thing… before I go, I throw my sleeping bag in the dryer to fluff up the loft the night before. If you store your
    sleeping bag in your compression sack, the filler gets crushed so you lose warmth.
Winter Camping Basics
Winter Camping

As you prepare to go winter camping it is important for you to understand the basics of how to dress warmly.  
You've all heard many times that layering is important in any clothing whether it's the hot summer or the cold
winter.  Staying warm in cold weather is all about staying dry.  Remember the 3 Ws of dressing for warmth:
Wicking-Warmth-Wet.  

Your first layer of clothing is your "wicking" layer.  Because a person's activity level varies greatly throughout the
day, it is important to prepare for the times when your body will be over-dressed and you produce sweat.  To
compensate for this, it is important to wear a wicking layer of clothing as your first layer of clothing.  Wicking
materials move the moisture away from your body to outer layers of your clothing leaving your skin dry and warm.
 There are many synthetic materials on the market today that perform this function.  Wool also is a wicking
material but can be itchy so is not commonly used.  Cotton is not a wicking material.  In fact, cotton is probably
the worst choice for any winter clothing.  When it gets wet it loses all of it's protective warmth.

Your second layer is your "warmth" layer.  This layer traps your body heat and provides your body a comfortable
temperature.  Wool or down are both excellent warmth layers, as are many of the high-tech fillers available.  

Your final layer should protect you from getting wet.  Most winter coats provide layers 2 and 3 but fail to provide
the important first layer, so prepare accordingly.  Ski-pants also provide 2-3 but not 1, so get some good long
underwear and you will be dry and warm.

Remember to bring extra warm, waterproof winter boots.  Anyone without winter boots will not be able to go.  

Also bring a warm, winter coat, heavy mittens, scarf or face protection, and a warm hat that covers your ears too.

You may want to bring some light-weight shoes for comfort in the cabin too.

Bring 2 clothing changes (pants/shirt/underwear/socks)

This is a great article for more info on clothing and bedding
Winter Camping - What To Wear


What to bring:
If you plan to sleep in the cabin both nights:
- Sleeping bag
- Mess Kit
- Water bottle or canteen
- Survival supplies (compass, knife, fire-starter, whistle, metal cup, light-weight cording, Toilet Paper, Hemp rope
(for fire starting), small pencil and paper, small flashlight and a handkerchief.) All should be in a waterproof
ziplock sack.  (I use a small fanny pack to hold my kit.)
- Any small games (cards, battleship, etc.) are always fun at night for the cabin.
- Pad of paper and a pencil (you'll need this for some of the activities)
- Personal hygiene kit

Sleeping outside in a shelter
If you plan to sleep outside in a shelter you need warmth to about zero degrees.  If you don't have a bag rated for
zero you have options to increase the warmth of your bag.  Options include:
- double up 2 bags
- Bring a 2 heavy blankets, making an inside liner from one and put the other under your bag
- Get an outer bag cover that is made for additional warmth.
- You'll need TWO sleep rolls under you to sleep on the ground in the winter.  If you don't have 2 rolls then you can
use one role and a heavy blanket that is folder in 4 layers.
- TWO hats - one for the day and one to sleep in  The one you sleep in stays dry and is important for the night.
Winter Camping - What To Bring
Evergreen Campsite
This is from our site  at the
Treasure Valley Scout
Reservation.
Stephen P's Eagle Crew
The Troop showed up tp help
Stephen work on his Eagle
Project.