Here’s Your Winter Camping Checklist
There are two kinds of campers in America. One can hardly wait until spring so they can start camping again after at least three months away from it.
The other kind of camper doesn’t care which season it is. Camping is a passion for them. They’ll camp in the winter just as often – and with as much enthusiasm – as they will in the spring, summer or fall.
Obviously, staying warm is a challenge with winter camping. But there are advantages to camping during this season. Including solitude, quiet, more unused camping locations and a lack of pesky bugs.
If you’re one of the latter group, or if you want to try winter camping for the first time, today I’m going to provide you with a checklist of items to include in your winter camping gear. And as I often do, I’m saving one of the most important items for last.
Staying warm… awake or asleep
First and foremost, include plenty of warm clothing. Focus on layers. That means t-shirts, flannel shirts, waterproof jackets and a water-resistant down coat. And plenty of extra long underwear and thick socks. Plus a warm hat.
Waterproof boots and gloves are also essentials, of course. Your sleeping bags will probably have down insulation. It’s more expensive but is lighter, lasts longer and compresses smaller.
Sleeping pads are also very important. They’ll put an extra layer between the cold ground and you. Many people prefer inflatable pads to foam pads.
Needless to say, you’ll want to include plenty of blankets and pillows. Do your best to keep them dry.
More essentials
Here are more items I haven’t mentioned yet. How many of these you take will depend on whether you’re roughing it or heading to a campground where some amenities are provided. It might also depend on how long you’ll be gone.
- Four-season tent, with footprints, stakes and mallet/hammer
- Ground cloth/tarp
- Backpack
- Headlamps, flashlights and extra batteries
- Camp table and chairs (if the site doesn’t have them)
- Lantern
- Snowshoes
- Toiletries
- First-aid kit including prescription meds
- Lip balm
- Sunglasses
- Bandanas
- Survival knife
- Multi-tool
- Duct tape
- Paracord or rope
- Saw or ax for cutting firewood
- Compass and GPS
- Binoculars
- Whistle
- Walkie-talkies
- NOAA emergency radio
- Disinfectant wipes
- Documents including vehicle registration, insurance, reservations, etc.
Food-related items
- Perishable food packed in a cooler or ice chest
- Non-perishable food for snacking
- Plenty of bottled water and other beverages
- Personal water purifier
- Fire starters
- Cooking, serving and eating utensils
- Cooking pots, pans, plates and cups
- Tongs and skewers
- Oven mitts
- Cutting board
- Canteen/thermos
- Coffee pot
- Can opener
- Heavy duty aluminum foil
- Dishwashing liquid and sponges
- Paper towels and napkins
- Tupperware
- Zip-top bags
- Trash and recycle bags
StarFire Camp Stove
As promised, I saved one of the most crucial winter camping items for the end. It’s the StarFire Camp Stove from 4Patriots.
When you need to cook food or stay warm without electrical power and without gas or butane, this is your best choice. Made of stainless steel, it “runs” on twigs and leaves, which you can find for free just about anywhere.
This low-smoke device turns cold food into hot meals. It boils water in eight to 12 minutes. It can also provide light and warmth. And since it weighs only about one pound, it fits in just about any backpack or bug-out bag. That’s portability.
Best of all, if you purchase four, you receive more than $270 in free gifts. Including the Patriot Power Cell, two 72-Hour Survival Food Kits, a Freedom Flame Flexible Arc Lighter and more. Not to mention an easy payment plan if you want it.
What is an Emergency Shelter?
What is an Emergency Shelter? Any temporary shelter set up to protect people from hazardous elements can be called an emergency shelter. Emergency shelters are provided to people who have lost their homes or places where they lived due to a natural calamity, war, or disease. In some cities and towns, there are permanent emergency […]
Homemade Wanderlust Gear List | 19 Things You Should Have in Your Appalachian Trail Gear List
Is the Appalachian Trail on your bucket list? This homemade wanderlust gear list serves as an excellent reference and template for the essentials you need to facilitate the hike. RELATED: Best Hiking Trails You Must Visit This Summer A Surefire Homemade Wanderlust Gear List for Outdoorsy Preppers Cookware and Water Filtering Systems 1. Camping stove The […]
Your Red Bags: Stop The Bleed – Part 2, by Philip J. Goscienski, M.D.
(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Things to consider beyond bleeding No matter how good you are at stopping a hemorrhaging blood vessel, you or someone that you designate must call 9-1-1 right now! Don’t say “Somebody call 9-1-1!” Bob may think that John will call; John thinks that Bob is calling – […]
Upcycling Ideas: 20 Cool Ways To Repurpose Every Day Items
Looking for creative upcycling ideas? Listed here are some of the ways we can transform obsolete items into functional and beautiful objects of contemporary design. People are so creative, the best thing to do is to start on an upcycling project, you will be amazed at how you will become absorbed and focused. Being in […]
Upcycling Ideas for Students | 15 Upcycle Projects for Kids
Engaging in fun upcycling ideas for students is a great way to keep your kids occupied while cutting down on wastage. Whether you are looking for inspiration this roundup will stir you in the right direction. RELATED: How to Make Rope from Recycled Plastic 15 Cool Upcycling Ideas for Students Every Parent Should Know 1. Painted […]
Upcycling: What Is It?
When I got into the upcycling industry, I quickly learned how few people actually knew what upcycling was. While recycling is a term now familiar to everyone, mentioning “upcycling” to the average person will often be met with a blank stare. Generally speaking, upcycling is taking things that would otherwise be thrown away and making […]
Proper Hygiene for Indoors and Outdoors
It could be argued that improper hygiene has killed more people than anything else in world history.
Many who have died from various diseases through the centuries either didn’t know how to avoid those illnesses or were physically unable to. But proper hygiene could have saved many of them.
Few of us are overly concerned about our lives ending due to improper hygiene. But the fact is, many have perished due to COVID-19 the past two years and from the flu for many years because they didn’t take precautions. Including their personal hygiene.
Today I want to talk about the importance of hygiene for staying healthy and safe for what promises to be some challenging years ahead.
The cleaner the better
There are countless viruses floating around out there – as well as harmful bacteria. Good hygiene limits the spread of germs and infectious diseases.
In addition to strengthening our immune system, we should keep personal hygiene top of mind. The cleaner your hands are, for example, the less likely you will be to transfer anything harmful to your mouth, nose or eyes.
Whether you are home or out and about, you can expect injuries as small as cuts on your hands to something more crucial such as gashes elsewhere on your body. The cleaner you are to start, the less likely you are to pick up a bacterial infection or worse.
The best hygiene hack I know of is the Patriot Pure Sanitizing Solution Machine. Using just salt and water, you can create a powerful disinfectant in minutes. It will destroy germs without leaving a toxic residue behind.
2 kits are better than one
You should also build a hygiene kit. It will help you stay clean and healthy, no matter your situation. It could mean the difference between sickness and health during emergency conditions. These kits are often overlooked in survival planning.
Actually, I recommend putting together two DIY hygiene kits. A small, lightweight kit for your bug-out bag that has supplies for several days, and a larger, more complete kit for your home survival supplies that contains hygiene items needed to survive up to three months.
Both kits should contain supplies needed to bathe and cover your basic haircare and dental needs. With additional sanitary supplies for women and diapering supplies if you have young children. Your larger home kit should contain items to aid you in a longer duration such as haircutting supplies.
The two lists below contain the basics of what each kit should contain. Each member of your family should have their own personal hygiene kit. The home hygiene kit should contain enough for your entire family plus additional supplies if you have storage room.
Bug-out bag hygiene kit
This kit should be stored in a waterproof bag inside your bug-out bag, and should include the following:
- Toilet paper – or travel-sized baby wipes will also work.
- Antibacterial wipes – any brand will do, but look for lightweight packaging.
- Hand sanitizer – look for an alcohol-based sanitizer, as it can double as a fire-starter.
- Fine-tooth comb – the finer the comb, the easier it will be to remove debris plus ticks and other bugs from hair.
- Travel-sized soap – you can use bar form, but liquid castile soap is recommended for its multi-use factor.
- Wash cloth and small towel – consider microfiber, as they are lightweight, absorb more moisture and dry faster.
- Toothbrush/toothpaste/dental floss – the smaller the better. The goal here is to keep your mouth as healthy as possible. So skip the mouthwash unless you require antiseptic wash for cleanliness.
- Nail clippers and metal nail file – skip the emery board as it retains moisture.
- Neosporin – this will not only be for small cuts, but also can be used as lip balm.
- Alcohol wipes and bandages – you don’t need an entire box, just add a few.
- Pain reliever – much like above, just add a small quantity. This isn’t to serve as a first-aid kit, but having a few small health-related items won’t hurt.
- Small hand mirror – remember, pick something as lightweight as possible.
- Waste bags – if you don’t want to purchase these, you can use small sandwich baggies or pet waste bags.
Home prep hygiene kit
This kit should be stored alongside other survival supplies, and should include the following:
- Liquid castile soap – this biodegradable soap can be used for bathing, shampoo and shaving. And it can be used as a multipurpose cleaning solution to wash surfaces, laundry and even dishes.
- Washcloths and bath towels
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Razor, blades and shaving gel
- Hairbrush and fine tooth hair comb
- Hair ties
- Toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash/dental floss
- Deodorant
- Nail clippers and metal nail files
- Mirror
- Barber comb and scissors
- Tweezers – this isn’t only for personal grooming, but also beneficial for removing splinters, etc.
- Alcohol swabs and bandages – even with a first-aid kit containing these items, I still recommend adding them to your hygiene supplies.
- Lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Grease remover or lime oil – this removes grease, sap and soot
- Facial tissue
- Cotton balls and Q-tips
- Antibacterial wipes
- Women’s sanitary supplies – consider purchasing reusable supplies and the cleaning items needed to maintain hygienic use. This has a potential to be less expensive and also can reduce space in your supplies.
- Diaper supplies – if you may have a child or an elderly person in your group. Think long-term, not just today.
- Toilet paper/toilet wipes
- Camp toilet set – in case an emergency leaves you without functional plumbing, you should have a back-up plan. If your toilet set doesn’t include a portable bidet, you may want to purchase one. This will help immensely with maintaining hygienic conditions and cut down on toilet paper waste.
- Waste bags/garbage bags
- Portable shower – if you don’t already have one in your emergency supplies, consider adding one. Cleanliness is crucial to your survival, and you want to make sure you have the option to shower.
The primary purpose of hygiene kits is to maintain health and prevent potential disease. If you or someone in your group needs additional items to accomplish this, now is the time to get them added to your supplies.
Keep in mind, your small hygiene kit should remain as light as possible so it doesn’t weigh down your bug-out bag. Refrain from adding too many unnecessary items. Save most optional items for your home hygiene kit.
Treating injuries
Here are some suggestions for dealing with cuts and wounds you might sustain in a survival situation.
- Try to practice good hygiene over your entire body every day.
- Take a first-aid training class.
- Bandage, cover or seal all open cuts or abrasions, no matter how small.
- Try to keep wounds out of contaminated water.
- Wash even small wounds with purified water and salt daily.
- If you have the supplies, bandage wounds with antiseptic ointments, honey or salt.
- In cold weather conditions, do whatever it takes to stay as warm as possible and remember to stay well hydrated.
Poor hygiene produces problems
Why is it so important to practice good hygiene? Poor personal hygiene transforms the body into a perfect environment for germs to live long and prosper.
It also makes our bodies more vulnerable to infection. Failing to practice good hygiene can lead to a number of problems. Including diarrhea and gastroenteritis, respiratory infections including the flu and common cold, and staph infections.
As well as ringworm, scabies, lice, trachoma and other eye infections, athlete’s foot and tooth decay.
Whether you are able to hunker down during an emergency or have to bug-out, practicing good hygiene can make a world of difference.
Check out my favorite hygiene hack here
Recipes of the Week: Salsa Verde and Roasted Tomato Compote / Salsa
The following Salsa Verde and Roasted Tomato Compote/ Salsa recipes are from blog reader Mrs. Alaska. Mrs. Alaska’s Intro: “As readers may imagine, an Alaskan gardener harvests a lot of green tomatoes at the end of the season. Some I store indoors in paper bags and cardboard boxes to ripen. Some of the green ones […]
4Patriots Video Spotlights U.S. Veterans
If you’ve been a 4Patriots customer for any length of time, you know how important U.S. veterans, active-duty troops and their families are to us.
A vast majority of our financial and product donations – made possible by your purchases – go to organizations that support American military members and their families.
We believe these brave men and women are deserving of so much more than they receive after risking their lives to protect ours.
That’s why we feel it is both our responsibility and privilege to serve them after they’ve served us. And we believe the best way to do that is through contributions to reputable organizations established to do exactly that.
Tracing roots to 1919
As you know, yesterday was Veterans Day. Originally known as Armistice Day, it’s a day on which we honor military veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces. It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
The first Armistice Day was November 11, 1919. In President Woodrow Wilson’s address to the nation, following the end of World War I, he said this:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service, and with gratitude for the victory.”
In 1947, the day was expanded to celebrate all U.S. veterans, not only those who died during World War I.
Veterans share a special bond
This year, in addition to our financial donations, 4Patriots decided to honor U.S. veterans by creating the short video above. I hope you’ll spend a few minutes watching it.
We interviewed U.S. veteran Andrew Lee for this video, highlighting his quilt-making work on behalf of other veterans.
Andrew, who served his country for 20 years, starts off by describing what the word “veteran” means to him.
“Veteran, I believe, means that we, as veterans, endured something together that only us, veterans, can relate to. Filling sand bags, digging foxholes, sitting on a tarmac for eight hours, waiting for a bird to come pick you up…”
He adds, “Being a civilian after being military for so long is tough. And it’s hard to transition to cuddly, touchy-feely, sensitive people. But I thought that this was my opportunity to do something to help myself.”
Combat Quilter displays patriotism
Surprisingly, that “something” turned out to be sewing. “I really feel that sewing allowed me to just completely compartmentalize and leave that stuff in the back of my mind,” he said.
But Andrew didn’t select sewing as merely a way to distract himself. He discovered a much higher purpose for this activity.
He began sewing patriotic quilts to give to veterans.
Andrew, also known as the “Combat Quilter,” has now completed 157 quilts, most of which are patriotic in nature.
Yes, you do deserve it
“What I did not realize was, when I awarded my first quilt of valor to a veteran… out of his mouth came, ‘I don’t deserve this.’
“My response to him was, ‘Mr. Carpenter, if you don’t deserve a quilt, neither does anybody else. You didn’t ride on a tank or in a jeep or jump out of an airplane. You walked into Normandy. Walked.’
“In that moment, I actually truly felt raw, pure emotion. Because when you’re giving or awarding a quilt to a veteran, they are broken and battered the same that you are.
“And now you don’t have to have some preconceived idea of how to form a bond. You just did it.”
If you’re looking for a way to honor our nation’s veterans…
Right now, through 11/15, when you stock up on Liberty Band Solar Radios during our Veterans Day event, you’ll help us TRIPLE our donation to Operation Homefront and give hundreds of meals to military families. All while being a hero to your own family.
