Winter Camping In India

Winter camping is one of the toughest types of camping but at the same time it is the most adventurous and exciting one. Winter camping is only meant for young people, who are full of adventures and have a strong determination. Winter camping is much enjoyable and comfortable as compared to the summer camping. Winter camping can be done anywhere outdoors, but it is mainly linked with camping on high altitudes. Camping on high altitudes is not an easy task and thus requires a lot of planning & preparation. Winter Camping activity is not any more traits of an extreme adventure where lives are at stake, like any other outdoor venture, winter camping is also full of wonderment and prudence and provides adventure- enthusiast a brimming gratification. On a winter camping tour, one has to plan a little more cautiously since the temperatures are lower and the weather is unpredictable. Do not underrate the whimsicality of the winter weather, anticipate the worst so you will not have any repellent stupefaction.

Gears and Clothing:

One always have to prepare beforehand, before going on any such winter camp,. The most significant thing is the tent as one has to spend most of the time within it. The tent should be large enough to hold an individual and should be strong enough so as to bear the winter winds, which blow very strongly. The tents should be made of nylon and the frame should be of aluminum. One should also carry an air mattress, which is self-inflating. One should be fully clothed so as to avoid the rough winter condition. One should always dress in layers as it maintains the body temperature and moisture.

Camping Destinations In India:

Auli

Andaman

Darjeeling

Gir

Goa

Gulmarg

Himalayas

Jim Corbett

Kerala

Kangra Valley

Kovalam

Kumaon

Ladakh

Lakshadweep

Manali

North East India

Periyar

Rajasthan

Rishikesh

Ranthambore

Shimla

Sikkim

Uttaranchal

Camping Tips and Precautions:

• Everything takes longer and moves slower in cold and snow. Equipment is more bulky and heavy. The days are shorter and much of your camp activities will take place In the dark. Patience is not simply a virtue at this point, it is fundamental.

• Keep your camera inside your shirt or your jacket so it stays warm enough to operate, Film should also be carried close to your body because it tens to get brittle when cold. Wind film slowly to avoid tearing.

• Keep flashlight batteries inside a pocket. What may seem like dead batteries could be just cold batteries.

• Carry a small whiskbroom to brush off boots and gaiters, and a sponge to mop up damp spots.

• Keep clothing in stuff sacks so they don't accumulate snow while opening and closing your pack.

• If you can, tie a string to your flashlight and keep around your neck. Headlamps are best as they allow your hands to be free.

• Whenever you take off hats and mittens, always stow them in a secure place. Things will dry out in the winter, believe it or not. It's a process called sublimation. The dampness turns to ice and evaporates from ice. So damp things should be hung on dry surfaces such as tarp lines.

• Personal organization is crucial during the winter. You must know exactly where each and every single bit of your gear is at all times.

• Never set things in the snow. It is possible to drop a lit flashlight in the snow and never find it again.

• Avoid cotton like the plaque. It becomes a frozen lump by the second morning.

• Avoid metal cups (except for double-wall thermal), metal whistles etc. which will adhere to warm mouth tissue when cooled to winter's subzero temperatures.

• Practice working with all of your equipment with mittens on and modify any equipment that can only operated with bare hands.

• In winter camping there is very little margin for mistakes. If you forget to waterproof your boots and get wet feet, you will need to take action immediately to prevent frozen toes or feet.

• Be careful around an open fire. Winter clothes and boots which provide good insulation from the cold, will also stop you from feeling the heat until the boots. mittens etc. are burning or melted.

• Cotton kills because once it gets wet, it takes forever to dry in winter, leaving the door wide open for hypothermia. This is an essentially useless winter fabric, so leave the jeans at home. One caveat: bring a cotton bandana to clean your sunglasses.