Cold weather is defined as temperatures that are mainly between the freezing point of water and where someone sitting around needs at least three thin layers to be comfortable in the absence of aerobic activity.
41
votes
8answers
5k views
Is it warmer to sleep naked in a sleeping bag?
When camping in cold weather, some people say it is actually warmer to sleep naked than to sleep with clothes on.
Is that true, or is it better to leave warm clothes on while in the bag?
24
votes
5answers
683 views
How to carry water in freezing temperatures?
When backpacking in freezing weather, water in a canteen often turns to ice. I am looking for a canteen that
Will not burst when the volume of water increases due to freezing
Will make it possible, ...
21
votes
3answers
357 views
If I have to cross an icy, flowing river, what are some ways I can cross safely?
If I'm alone in a survival situation and I have to cross a very cold river that's still flowing, how should I accomplish this safely?
17
votes
8answers
1k views
How can I stay warm in subzero weather?
I'm going on a campout this weekend and the temperature isn't supposed to rise above 0° Fahrenheit the entire time. I've been in subzero weather before and I didn't last long, even with plenty of ...
17
votes
7answers
560 views
What clothing would be appropriate for hiking in -18°C with up to 30 km/hr wind?
I recently moved to Germany and am planning to do a hike in the Harz mountains. The weather is expected to be around -18°C. Most of the trail will be sheltered by forest, but the mountaintop is ...
14
votes
5answers
180 views
Keeping warm in an emergency
When roaming the outdoors, it might happen that one finds oneself in a situation that is much, much colder than one planned for.
What can one do in such an emergency, especially when it's so cold ...
12
votes
6answers
480 views
Is it dangerous to sleep in a tent alone in a forest in -20?
Can I spend the night alone in a tent in a forest outside Stockholm in -20 degrees Celsius without risking my life?
The backstory:
From the end of January, I'm starting my studies in a suburb of ...
12
votes
5answers
191 views
How to warm up your cold toes and fingers?
In winter your hand and feet (especially toes and fingers) may get painfully cold or you may even stop feeling them. How can you warm them up?
This usually happens, when it's below 0°С or when it's ...
12
votes
5answers
177 views
Are Ice grips worth buying
The cold weather has finally hit the UK and once again I am tempted to buy something like https://www.yaktrax.co.uk/shop/yaktrax-pro. For those of you not in the UK we get some snow each year (enough ...
12
votes
4answers
211 views
Is it ever safe to let a hypothermic person sleep?
My understanding is that with severely hypothermic patients you want to keep them awake if possible. However, if the hypothermia isn't too severe and it's several hours before you can get help - say, ...
12
votes
3answers
172 views
Falling into an ice cold body of water
I've never been hiking in such extreme situations, but if in the situation in the question, i.e. you're hiking in very cold weather and someone falls in (let's say so pretty much their whole body is ...
11
votes
5answers
428 views
What do I do to prevent and treat frostbite?
I'm going to be winter camping, and I'm concerned about getting frostbite. What can I do to protect myself?
11
votes
1answer
789 views
What's the difference between a 2, 3, 4, and 5 season tent?
I'm looking to buy a new trekking tent, a good quality one, e.g. Hilleberg, Fjällräven, Vaude, etc. At Vaude they categorise tents in 2, 3, 4, or 5-season. What's the difference between a 4- and a ...
10
votes
6answers
199 views
What can I do to keep my hands warm while using touchscreens in the winter?
Now that it is starting to get cold it is more difficult to use touchscreens while outdoors. I use both an iPhone and a Garmin GPS to geocache and both have touchscreens that require me to take my ...
10
votes
1answer
243 views
Dealing with very cold climate (clothing)
In the near future I will have to prepare myself for a Siberia expedition.
During the winter, average temperatures in Siberia range from -10°F
(-23°C) to below -50°C (-45°F).1
What should I ...
9
votes
4answers
125 views
Winter Camping: How to warm up your boots in the morning?
Is there a good technique to warm up your boots in the morning? Should you just put them on and warm them up with your feet or is there a better alternative?
9
votes
5answers
359 views
What shoes keep me warm in the cold?
One of the biggest problems I have keeping warm in the cold are my shoes. When I'm out cycling in temperatures below -20°C, ordinary sport-shoes or hiking boots fail to keep me warm
Cycling to work ...
9
votes
2answers
121 views
What should I look for if I want to buy a winter-proofed tent?
I really like to go snowshoeing during the winter. I'm going up to 3500 meters and when I'm doing long tours I would really enjoy to try out winter camping in very remote areas. Is it a good idea to ...
9
votes
1answer
125 views
How do I recognize if someone is suffering from hypothermia?
How can I recognize symptoms of hypothermia on myself and other people I camp with?
8
votes
3answers
144 views
Does whiskey help keep you warm in winter?
It is a rare day that I head out into the winter wilds without a flask of sumpt'n-sumpt'n in my pocket. A nip helps one to relax, can mildly embolden timid skiers in my group, and gives one that fiery ...
8
votes
2answers
350 views
How should I treat hypothermia?
When I recognize the symptoms of hypothermia, how should I treat it? And what are the dangers if the symptoms are ignored?
7
votes
2answers
170 views
Preferred way to wrap someone with Hypothermia?
So I know How to treat hypothermia. That question and answer, however, do not address the old recommendation I have heard a 100 times of strip them down and get in a sleeping bag with them. Is that ...
7
votes
4answers
632 views
Do reusable “hand coolers” exist?
I often carry around a couple of reusable hand warmers when hiking or just around the outdoors when it's cold. They don't take up much space, they're easy to reuse (just boil) and they provide a fair ...
6
votes
4answers
506 views
How can I prevent batteries from losing charge in cold weather?
Since batteries (for cameras, cell phones, etc) will lose charge in cold weather, what can I do to prevent loss of charge, or at least extend the battery life as long as possible?
6
votes
3answers
224 views
How to set up a tent in deep snow
How should I set up a two-layer dome tent for 2/4 people in deep snow (waist height)? Do I need some additional equipment (snow shovel)? Insulation under the floor (further than the sleeping pads)?
...
5
votes
1answer
125 views
Are there any exceptions to the layer principle?
This question asks why we don't apply the layer principle on trousers. Personally, I disagree with the pretext of the question: I certainly do apply the layer principle on trousers when cycling in ...
5
votes
1answer
69 views
What’s special about a winter gas mixture? Why does it work better?
There’s a special “winter” gas mix available for gas stoves. How is it different from the usual propane/butane mix and why does it work better in low temperatures? (Does it work better in lower ...
5
votes
1answer
79 views
What temperature to prepare for on Everest base camp trek?
I'm doing the popular tourist trek from Lukla to Everest base camp in late April / early May. I know the minimum temperature is on average -1 Celsius (30.2 Fahrenheit) in the Khumbu region at this ...
4
votes
3answers
125 views
How do I light a spirit (ethanol) stove when it's cold?
I am very happy with my storm-proof spirit stove. When others are struggling to find a place outside the wind, I can cook wherever I like — provided I can lighten my ethanol fuel.
Trangia stove in ...
4
votes
5answers
167 views
How to prevent skin cracks?
So every winter working in the dry cold, my skin, on my hands and feet, cracks. Particularly between my fingers and toes. What can I do to prevent this?
4
votes
2answers
127 views
Do I need to worry about snow covering up my tent?
I have a two-layer dome tent, cheap and not particularly designed for winter. Do I need to ever worry that during a heavy snow downfall during the night that tent might be covered up with snow and I ...
3
votes
3answers
66 views
Facility to test cold weather gear in London UK
I'm debating what equipment to buy to prepare for a cold weather in mountain terrain and felt it might be useful to test what different temperatures feel like while wearing chosen equipment. My ...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
End of Winter/Spring Camping
Planning a camping trip for next weekend. It is looking like it may be the end of winter. We have about a foot of snow right now. What problems am I going to run into if the weather is above zero ...
