Troop 259 Boy Scouts of America Austin, Texas

Topics

• Introduction
• Dressing for warmth
• Eating for warmth
• Thinking for warmth

Introduction

Camping in winter:

• Does not mean being cold
• Does mean
• • Dressing differently
  • Eating differently
  • Thinking differently

Dressing for warmth

• General principles
• Dress in layers
• Head, Hands and Feet
• Bring spares

Your body heat keeps you warm

• If you can feel external heat, you aren't dressed well enough
• If you can't feel external heat, BE CAREFUL

Cotton kills!

• Absorbs moisture
• Takes a long time to dry
• Does not insulate when wet
• Does not stop wind

Remember "COLD", and you won't be

• Keep Clean
• Avoid Overheating
• Wear Layers
• Stay Dry

Dressing for warmth means layers

Proper layers keep you dry, insulate you, and protect from wind and water.

Clothes should be loose

• Loose layers insulate better
• Elastic bands make you colder
• Looser clothes make it easier to move

Three layers

• Next to the skin
• Middle layer
• Outer layer

Next to the skin

The layer next to the skin must:

• transport moisture away from your skin.
• Should be smooth and comfortable
• Polypropylene and polyester are best for comfort
• Silk is another good fabric

Middle layer

• Must trap pockets of air around you
• Wool is excellent
• Polyester fleece is lighter and insulates better

Outer layer

• Must block wind, and sometimes water
• Should allow moisture to escape
• Nylon is excellent
• Goretex is best, but very expensive

Head

• Much heat is lost through the head
• "If your feet are cold, put on a hat"
• Must cover ears
• Should block wind
• Neck gaiters make a big difference
• Scarves are good too

Hands

• Gloves should provide "layering"
• Warm lining is essential
• Windproof shell is essential
• Separate shell and liner are versatile
• Long cuffs increase warmth
• Mittens are warmer than gloves, but lose dexterity

Feet

• Boots are essential
• NO TENNIS SHOES!
• Boots and socks should provide layering
• Make sure they are waterproof
• Boots with removable liners are best
• Polypropylene sock liners make a big difference
• Wool and polyester socks insulate well
• Multiple pairs of socks increase insulation
• Don't wear too many socks

Bring spares

• Socks
• Hats
• Gloves
• Boot liners

Eating for warmth

• Eat multiple small meals
• Eat higher-fat foods
• Eat complex carbohydrates
• Take trail snacks
• Drink warm beverages
• Drink plenty of water

Thinking for warmth

• If you feel cold, get moving
• If you feel cold, put on more clothes now
• If you feel cold, tell someone
• If you feel warm, take off clothes now
• Don't play in snow unnecessarily
• If snow accumulates on you, brush it off
• Eat often
• Drink plenty of water
• If you get wet, change clothes

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