Adventures don’t have to end when the temperatures drop.
However, when the weather gets cold, you need to be prepared for whatever Old Man Winter doles out. Growing up in Minnesota, my father said in the depths of winter, “If you break down or get stuck in your car, you need to be prepared like you may have to walk out of it.” That advice stuck with me.
My wife, Mercedes, and I have been up to the Arctic Ocean in winter and experienced air temperatures of nearly -50° F (-45.5° C)—that’s without a windchill.
Over the years, we’ve found essential pieces of winter travel/adventure kit. Here is some guidance on how to prepare for winter’s worst conditions when you’re seeking adventure.
Winterize Your Rig for Maximum Reliability
Before exploring in cold temperatures, it’s paramount to winterize your rig for cold temps. This means ensuring your battery is in tip-top shape and fully charged.
Check to see if your wiper fluid and antifreeze are rated for low temperatures (you don’t want either to freeze). And yes, wiper fluid often carries a minimum temperature rating. Replace your old wiper blades. Before temps drop, make sure your rig is as reliable as possible before heading out.
Roll on the Right Tires
At temperatures of 45°F (7° C) and below, your all-season tires, most mud-terrains, and some all-terrain tires aren’t going to be as effective as a winter-rated tire or tires equipped with the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) symbol.
These tires will have different rubber compounds which work better in colder temperatures, and tread patterns that help in snowy, icy conditions.
Having driven the same vehicles back-to-back with snow tires and non-snow tires during tire testing, the difference is night and day. If you venture out in cold climates, 3PMS tires are definitely worth it.
Have Maps, GPS, Communications
If you’re going to explore the backcountry during the winter, it’s vital to have paper maps or a GPS unit indicating the area, as well as and good communication equipment.
Remember, it’s one thing to get lost when it’s 72° F and sunny, it’s another ball game when it’s below freezing. Ensure your all maps are current and updated, especially on GPS. If you need to download the maps of the areas you’ll be exploring, do so before you leave.
Also, bring a handheld or vehicle-mounted radio and spare batteries for it just in case. Whether it’s a UHF, GMRS, or even a CB, having a radio in an emergency can be vital.
Carry Extra Fuel
I cannot stress the importance of bringing extra fuel when navigating remote backcountry routes, especially during the wintertime. I was recently on an isolated off-roading trip where several people didn’t have enough fuel, the snow got deep, people got stuck, and fuel ran low.
Our 4WD van, which has a Long Range America extended-range diesel tank, and three others had enough range to do a 12-hour round-trip fuel run for people stuck overnight on a mountain because they didn’t bring enough extra gas.
The bottom line: Bring extra fuel, especially when exploring in the winter. Winter adventures can use more fuel than summer due to getting stuck and more idling to keep warm.
Pack Enough Water, Food, and Warm Clothing
Packing enough drinking water, food, and warm clothes can be the difference between life or death in certain cold-weather scenarios. Even if it’s not cold enough to kill, if you get mired overnight due to bad weather and are out longer than expected, you’ll be glad you brought enough (if not extra).
If you’re camping in below-freezing temps, keep some water in a double-walled vessel so it doesn’t freeze.
Bring some food that may not need heating, such as granola bars, nuts, jerky, or other snacks. That way you don’t have to rely on heat or water for sustenance.
Bring spare clothing in case your original items get wet. This includes a spare jacket, hat, gloves, boots, and socks. And if you’re going into cold weather, bring the right clothes for the climate.
Don’t wear your Vans and ankle socks if you’re going into the snow! Lastly, bring hand and foot warmers. They’re cheap and effective.
Inspect and Pack Your Recovery Gear
Getting stuck happens, especially in the snow and ice. So, when adventuring through frozen terrain, don’t forget your recovery kit. Make sure you have shackles, a tow strap, and a tree trunk protector.
If you’ve got a winch, bring a winch line extension, winch gloves, and at least one snatch block. Don’t forget to inspect your gear before packing, too.
If your vehicle has a winch, test it and check the rope for damage, and ensure the connections to the battery are good and the battery is fully charged before heading out. After all, a dead winch is useless.
Recovery boards, such as those from Maxtrax, are an excellent thing to bring as well. They’re easy to use, super effective (especially in snow), can be used as a shovel (another important piece of winter kit), and stow easily on a roof rack.
Inspect, Test, and Adjust Lights
While this might sound like a rudimentary suggestion, if you’re using auxiliary lights, test them, and inspect the wiring to ensure they work. You’ll want as many lumens as you can get in the back country, and when you need them, they’d better work.
Consider amber or blue-hued lights which can work better in low visibility or snow, too. Many light manufacturers offer colored lenses for their lights.
It’s also a good time to check your head- and taillights. Since the sun sets earlier in the year, wintertime lighting is important.
Pack The Right Tent and Clothing
Think about how you intend to sleep when camping in the cold. Will you be in a ground tent? A rooftop tent? In a van or the bed of a truck? Will there be snow or rain?
Tent’s don’t have much insulation, so bring a warm sleeping bag, extra blankets, and a pad with a high R-value to put under your bag. The idea is to combat the cold, even if it’s not necessarily snow camping.
If you’re camping in the cold, think about what you’re wearing when sleeping. Bring long underwear, thermal shirts, thick and comfortable fleece tops, or a hoodie (great for keeping your head warm).
I run cold, so I often wear a hat, gloves, and even sleep in my down jacket if the temps are cold enough. You don’t have to freeze if you camp correctly.
Special Cold Weather Equipment
There are specialized cold-weather items that can make winter trips even better.
For example, our diesel-powered JDM Mitsubishi Pajero has a Webasto Thermo Top Evo engine coolant heater. This unit circulates the vehicle’s antifreeze through the cooling system while heating it using diesel from the fuel tank. The coolant pump is powered by the rig’s battery and uses very little electricity.
We’ve started this rig at -43°F with the Thermo Top Evo. More common cold-weather vehicle items include block heaters and oil pan heaters which can help in cold weather, although they typically require AC power.
Pro Tip: Buy a properly rated winter extension cord. Some warm-weather cords can crack in freezing temperatures.
Diesel-powered camping heaters can be great for tents and vans, too. They use diesel fuel to create heat to make your sleeping quarters toasty warm.
If you’ve got an electric solar generator, you can also power electric blankets for sleeping. Don’t forget to bring your solar panel, too. While we may equate solar to warm weather, you can still get a charge from bright, sunny, but cold days.
If you’re cold-weather camping, you’ll need to cook. Remember: some stove fuels won’t work in extreme cold.
Fuels with butane in them can be less effective under 32°F (0°C). Propane is better, but if you plan to need a stove in temps of 15°F (-9°C), you may want to opt for white gas instead.
Be Cold Weather Conscious
Cold-weather adventures can be a total blast. It’s a totally different environment than spring or summer and exploring in the snow can be fantastic. Remembering these extra precautions can be the difference between having a great time and experiencing an emergency. Stay warm.
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