If you love the outdoors and have someone who loves it equally as much, why not plan an overnight excursion? I know it's February, and it's cold out, but winter camping [1] is a huge sport. What's so great about it? No bugs!
If you plan ahead and pack the right gear, you'll beat the cold and have a ton of fun. Here's what you'll need:
- Waterproof Tent and a tarp to lay underneath it
- Warm mummy style [2] sleeping bags for each of you, preferably made of down like this one from The North Face [3]
- Always use a sleeping pad [4] under your sleeping bag so you're not resting on the cold earth
- Warm clothing - pack wool base layers to help keep you warm, extra pairs of wool socks, a warm hat and mittens, a waterproof coat and pants, and waterproof boots.
- Enough water for the both of you. Keep your water bottles from freezing by placing them in a wool sock or insulated bottle cover.
Want to see what else you need? Then
- A camera to hold onto the memories
- Cell phones just in case
- A pocket knife
- Plenty of snacks and food to cook. Remember to bring pots, plates, can opener, and utensils - everything you'll need in order to eat. Canned foods or one pot meals work best. My favorite camping meal is macaroni and cheese.
- Waterproof matches or a lighter and plenty of firewood to start a campfire. (You may as well pack some marshmallows to toast as well)
- Bring snowshoes or cross-country skis to use during the day
- If you're hiking to your camp site, pack all your stuff in a comfortable back pack or pull it along in a sled.
Fit's Tips: Very important: Make sure you plan your trip and tell family and friends exactly when and where you're going. It's a scary reality that something could happen, so this way, people will know where to look for you.