Winter Survival Tips

This time of year can produce unexpected survival situations at any time. Simply getting your car stuck in the snow can mean you are going to spend a couple of hours outdoors. A power outage from frozen lines can put your home in the cold for hours or even days. All of the cases of hypothermia I have witnessed were caused by being exposed to the cold for longer than anticipated.

Most of us would rather spend time home in front of the fireplace than hike through the forest during the winter. Attendance at our state and national parks proves this point. Most close through the winter, or at least cut their staff. However, if you are properly prepared, then winter camping can be a beautiful experience. Whether you are headed out for a crisp winter trek or just on your way to work, a couple of simple steps an save you some unnecessary misery.

1. Dress in Layers

   If you get too hot, you can always take a layer off. If you don't wear enough, then you're just out of luck. Also, if your inner layer gets wet from walking, then take it off. While you might be hot and sweating, you will freeze as soon as you stop moving. So strip that bottom layer off and let it dry. At night when you lay down to sleep strip off all of your clothes. That's right, take it all off no matter how cold it might be. Throughout the day your clothes have absorbed moisture from your body. If you sleep in these clothes you may fall asleep toasty, but wake up covered in a thin layer of ice. It would even be better to sleep naked if necessary. Keep an extra set of warm clothes in your car including shoes. You will appreciate it if you have to walk for help with a break-down.

2. Let Yourself Eat

   Winter camping is no time to be on a low calorie diet. Our bodies need calories to produce heat. Sometimes the simplest solution to the cold is a hot meal.
   
   
   

3. Get Off The Ground

   Pile leaves, hay, or even a piece of cardboard on the ground. Then, spread a piece plastic over it, and build your tent on top. This barrier will prevent your body from defrosting the ground below in your sleep and waking up in a puddle of ice cold water.

4. Master the Fire

   I always bring at least three sources of fire on winter camp-outs. If I'm in a situation where my lighter will not work, I still have matches and flint. I also carry dry tender and kindling for getting the fire started. Keep in mind, it may be easier to fetch firewood than to try to start a fire in the dark. That is why I just try to always keep a fire burning.

5. Have The Right Tools For The Job

   It is important to have what you need from the right tent to a good sleeping bag. In the summer, it won't make a difference if you use a ten person tent for just one. However, in the winter it can be a crucial mistake. The human body produces enough heat to warm a small one or two person tent. In a large dome tent, one person's heat would simply dissipate into open air. The extra few dollars spent for a below zero sleeping bag, polypropylene long underwear, and a warm pair of boots are a well spent investment. Don't forget the camera. The snow and ice can make the woods you know look like a whole new dimension.

6. Constantly be Aware of Your Body

   Honestly analyze your condition. No experience is worth the permanent damage caused by frostbite and hypothermia. Keep in mind it will take awhile to safely warm your body, so don't wait until it's too late. It's hard to work a lighter with frozen fingers.

Be safe, have fun, and share.

Burnin' Down the Forest

The type of fire layout I use depends on where I'm camping, and the types of materials available.  First, I ensure there are no fire safety warnings in the park.  Usually there will be a sign at the entrance indicating the current fire hazard level.  If not, then I simply ask the park ranger.  NEVER start a fire if there is a campfire ban in effect.  Not only do you risk burning down the whole forest, but you will also get a steep fine.

Photo Courtesy of the US Army

Here you can see four simple layouts.  I prefer the pyramid.  If I build it properly, then I can light it and leave it alone.  The others require a constant adding of logs to keep them burning.
However, when the fuel is wet a tepee or lean-to might be the best answer.
In dry or windy conditions I may have no choice except to dig a cross-ditch.
The only right answer is to build a layout with the tinder in the center, the kindling around it, and the logs on the outside.  Just make your layout work for the conditions you find yourself in.

Photo Courtesy of the US Army

During the winter and windy conditions, I'll build a fire wall as illustrated here.  Not only does it protect my fire from the elements, but it also reflects the majority of the heat back to me.  

Get Your Fire Started

My Pack

I'm starting to re-stock my pack for my first spring adventure.  Since I'm planning on a spring trip, I'm also planning on chilly nights and rainy days.  I find the best way to prevent spending a night shivering in the tent is to anticipate the worst.  Wet and sparse firewood and insufficient fire starters are common problems.  So I carefully pack the right equipment.

I always begin this process by preparing my fire source.  I include three lighters, a water proof container filled with wood stick matches, and a flint and steel fire starter.  Remember to pack some dryer lint or dry tender to catch the sparks from the flint and steel set.  Conveniently, my favorite coffee comes in the perfect can to keep all of these things safe and dry.

I also make my own kindling to sustain a fire.  They are easy to make and will be well worth the effort on a forty degree morning without any hot coffee ready.


Materials:
Paraffin Wax
Large Cardboard Egg Carton
Saw Dust (Enough to Fill The Egg Carton)

Steps:
First, evenly spread the saw dust in the egg carton,
Next, You need to melt the wax.
You must begin with a few simple facts about wax.  You do not want to use soy wax.  This is a softer wax that will melt on hotter days.  There is nothing worse than putting in this effort just to end up with an oily mess in a plastic bag.  You'll want to use a refined or fully refined paraffin wax.  Also, paraffin has a flash point of 184 to 199 degrees depending on how many additives it contains.  So, use a wax thermometer and be safe.

Then, pour enough wax into each cup of the egg carton to fill it three quarters of the way.
Finally, cut out each individual cup of the egg carton once the wax has hardened.
These little cups may not look like much, but they work great.  They light easily with smoldering tender, they burn for at least twenty minutes, and I've gotten them to light even when wet.
Next time I'm going to focus on building the perfect fire.

If you're ever in a pinch, you can always make a fire with steel wool and a 9 volt battery.  Use steel wool with no soap, and touch it to both terminals on the 9 volt.  The steel wool will begin to smolder, and you can use it to catch your tender on fire.