Winter in the High Country: Cold-Weather Camping
and a hat - to bed. A fleece bag liner is a good idea. And sleeping with a couple of hot water bottles is incredibly effective. They stay warm all night; you'll even find yourself unzipping your bag."
Doerry recommended down bags as the way to go in the colder seasons.
"It's usually plenty dry enough in the colder temps for a down bag, but a lot of people are afraid to bring it," he said. "I've never had a wet bag become a concern and they are definitely warm."
Head for the Hills
With all this in mind, there's one more bit of advice to offer: keep an eye on the weather. Get a reliable report before you go, and scan the skies while in the field. If you doubt the conditions ahead or aren't sure: TURN BACK. Listen to your gut if you feel uneasy. Winter in the mountains is nothing to toy with because the risks are too serious. It's even a good idea to let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. While no one expects to need a rescue, it's good to know one will be coming along if you get in over your head.
Lastly, read all you can about winter camping, speak with experienced hikers, take a survival course and, of course, use good judgment when the mercury falls. A qualified mountaineering course, such as those offered by many universities, could save your life, or at least open up a whole new season of outdoor exploration.
For further reading, browse the bookstores for these titles: Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, by the Mountaineers, Practical Survival, by Tony Nestor, Harsh Weather Camping, by Sam Curtis, Glaciers! by Strong and Doerry, and The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook, by Joshua Piven.
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