Friday, February 15, 2019
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How to camp in the cold

Expert advice for winter camping

Nothing says Canadian summer more than the smell of a bonfire, the laughter of friends and family and a tent pitched under the stars. However, while most people only associate camping as a summer pastime, a less celebrated but equally Canadian hobby is winter camping.

Preparation is the key to a safe and fun winter camping experience!

Tips for warm winter camping

  • Visit an outfitter who specializes in winter camping.
  • Ask lots of questions of staff with first-hand experience.
  • Do a “soft introduction” by spending a night or two outdoors in winter conditions at a local provincial park that remains open during the winter months.

Surrounding yourself with nature, while having the security of a heated accommodation, is the ideal scenario for any winter camping newbie. Pinery Provincial Park on the shores of Lake Huron, has heated and furnished yurts, which are available for rent.

 

Student feeding birds outside during the winter

 

Take winter camping to the next level

  • Set off on a one or two-night adventure into the woods. Be careful not to go too far into the bush in case you get overwhelmed by the weather.
  • Use a four-season tent and proper sleeping bags.
  • Layering clothes helps keep you warm, so make sure you pack enough clothing.

 

Once you have a few intermediate outings under your belt and are comfortable with camping in the elements, you can head out to explore the backcountry and campsites of a provincial park.

Spending time in Canada’s oldest provincial park, Algonquin Park, is recommended during off-season because it can give you a sense of true isolation and a connection with nature.

 

Photo of Robin TapleyAbout the expert:

Driven by curiosity and a passion for adventure, Robin Tapley seeks to explore the diversity of the natural world and create unique ways to share this with his students and others. He has been the coordinator of the Adventure Expeditions and Interpretive Leadership two-year program at Fanshawe’s Simcoe/Norfolk Regional Campus since it began in 2013. An expedition leader to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands, Tapley melds his experiences with the many opportunities for adventure found right in our backyard.

 

 

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