Though the weather outside is ... delightful

By Stephen Hlawaty
Outdoors Columnist

An old ski buddy of mine would often say, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of weather." To this, I'd simply add that any negative judgment we might have of the weather usually reflects our lack of preparedness for different varieties of good weather. With this in mind, my wife, Amanda, and I ventured into the Colorado high country for a uniquely quiet and solitary adventure, a two-day winter camping trip.

For some, camping in winter just doesn't compute. But to those of us who have felt the icy heat of a roaring fire within a sea of snow, have been comforted by the company of countless neighboring animals known to us only by their tracks, or have stood mesmerized before trees from whose branches hung icicles that looked like grey jays, camping in the winter can be a sublime experience. But such transcendental wonderings notwithstanding, winter campers should prepare for cold and snowy weather.

It's important that you understand the area weather conditions where you're planning on camping, as well as some specific considerations:

• Snow level - Shallow or deep?
• Snow quality - Powder, packed, breakable crust, etc.?
• Elevation - Low, high or variable?
• Route - Will it be covered by snow if there is one; will you need to break a trail, or will you follow a broken trail?
• Mode of travel - Foot, ski or snowshoe?
• Personal strength - Winter camping demands greater physical endurance, so be sure of your areas of strength and weakness.

The latter of these considerations becomes all the more important when you realize that everything (getting to camp, making camp, cooking, cleaning) surrounding a winter camping trip will take longer than in the summer. Good time-management skills are all the more critical when you consider the limited daylight you'll have to perform these tasks.

Along with hastily approaching darkness, you'll also have to consider the increasing cold that nighttime brings. But with a proper layering system of clothing, you need not worry.

Multiple layers of clothing help to "trap" the heat being generated by your body and slow down the heat loss to the cold outside. Too many layers will cause your body to overheat, which may cause your body to perspire. A wet surface loses heat 25 times faster than a dry surface. Therefore, as you sweat, you will lose heat more quickly as the moisture evaporates. Compounded with such water loss, winter campers run the risk of dehydration, which can lead to hypothermia, a condition in which your body temperature falls well below normal. Thus, wearing a number of layers that you can add or remove enables you to adequately adjust to changing temperatures.

Other preparations for winter camping should include sleeping considerations. Your mummy-style sleeping bag should be rated to temperatures at least 15 degrees Fahrenheit below temperatures you are likely to experience. Also, as an added layer of insulation between you and the ground, you should sleep on a full-length foam or air pad that is at least 1/2-inch thick. Four-season tents that can stand up to wind and snow are essential for winter camping in Colorado. If camping in snow, it's a good idea to build a snow wall around your tent as a wind block. Also, be sure to have a ground cloth between the floor of your tent and the surface snow.

When preparing for bed, be sure to "prime" your body by doing some physical exercise before slipping into your sleeping bag. Stuff your sleeping bag with whatever clothes you intend to wear the next day. Remove any wet or damp layers for dry ones. Put damp boots or clothing in your sleeping bag stuff sack and place it inside your sleeping bag so as to keep them from freezing over night. It's also a good idea to keep a warm thermos bottle full of hot liquids to sip on through the night. While all these considerations may seem like a lot to think about when preparing for a winter camping trip, they are essential if you want to have a safe and enjoyable time.

During winter, nature displays a certain serenity that otherwise may sneak by without notice: the scattering sounds of branches click-clacking overhead, a brush-stroked cymbal's sound of snow against a tent, or the soft murmurings of a stream flowing underneath blankets of snow. Through winter camping we're offered insight into this placid world of paradise.