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Is It Safe to Camp During Winter?
For camping addicts who live in the northern states, the winter months can cause you to go through “camping withdrawal.” But is that reason enough to try and venture out during the coldest season? Recently, a blizzard swept across the northern part of the U.S., dumping untold amounts of snow across several states. What if you were camping during these blizzard conditions? Is camping outdoors in the winter safe?
As is often the case, the risks will depend on you. Just because the calendar says December doesn’t mean you can’t camp safely. If the temperature is high enough, maybe there are some instances in which you can head out and enjoy a good time camping. But that also doesn’t mean you can treat winter camping the way you’d tread summer camping. It’s an entirely different animal.
For one, winter camping will require plenty of planning, especially as it relates to weather. How cold will it be during your trip? Will the temperatures drop on a specific day, or will wind make things worse? You’ll want to avoid snowfall, drops in temperature, as well as wind, which can make the temperatures feel drastically colder. If you’re not an experienced veteran of the winter season, it will help to get some cold-weather experience under your belt before you go camping.If you’ve been able to find a relatively warm and stable window in the winter weather, this is the time to go camping. Low winds are also very important. If you do decide to go camping during the winter in these occasions, then you’ll want to pack like you usually do, but with an increased emphasis on insulation, protection from moisture, and being able to build fires. Dress in layers that insulate you while also keeping moisture from snow out. If you can stay dry and warm, then you’re doing it right.
It will also help to have a good escape plan if necessary, as well as a cautious eye. You don’t want to get caught in a snow storm, so it’s a good idea to head for non-camping shelter as fast as possible if you perceive a threat. Don’t try to “rough it” because you could potentially compromise your safety. Make sure that you stay close enough to civilization that you can easily get out of a blizzard should one arrive.
Photo Credits: Rob Lee
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Five Things to Know Before You Go Ice Fishing This Winter
With winter upon us, many people in the northern states of the U.S. and in Canada are getting ready for ice fishing season. Ice fishing can be a great, relaxing sports that gives us something to do in the colder months of the year, but it can also be a safety hazard – after all, you’ll be sitting on a sheet of ice! If you want to make sure that you enjoy your ice fishing this winter, without compromising your safety, these five tips should be a good start.
1. Know the ice strength, and only go one the ice when you know it’s safe. There will be signs up all winter warning you about the strength of the ice, so pay heed to them. A good rule of thumb for knowing whether ice is strong enough is looking out and seeing if other people with more weight – people and equipment – are out there already and have been for a while. You’ll want to make sure the ice is strong, so it’s a good idea to be patient and wait for it rather than risk falling in. (Do remember, however, that early in the season, “first ice” tends to be stronger, as ice later in the season can be more rotten.)
2. Know what effects ice strength. Whether or not the ice can hold you isn’t only about its thickness – after all, wind conditions can make ice thicker in one area and less thick in another. The current under the ice, the wind, underwater plants, and the time the ice formed during the season will all have an effect on the quality of the ice.3. Don’t explore. It might be tempting to get all the fish that other people are missing by venturing out on your own and exploring ice yourself, but this can be incredibly dangerous and it’s highly recommended. Remember: fools rush in where angels dare to tread. It’s better to know that a lake’s ice can support weight.
4. Wear wool as the layer on your skin. Wool retains its insulating properties even when wet, so if you do fall in the water, you’ll want to be wearing wool. On the outside of your body, you’ll want to have something water-resistant to keep you dry.
5. If you do have an issue with the ice, stay calm. Don’t panic even when the situation seems to call for it – panicking can make a bad situation worse. Instead, educate yourself further on how to handle ice in a difficult situation. A calm head will help you keep your wits about you.
This article is by no means a comprehensive safety guide to ice fishing. Ice fishing is a more complicated and risky sport for that. But hopefully these tips will help you understand that ice fishing isn’t only about understanding how thick the ice is.
Photo Credits: Vince Alongi
