Mountain skills
Top advice from Trail’s experts, including tips for winter camps
1 Seek shelter, but beware of avalanche risk. Sheltered spots in the lee of a hill will protect from the wind, but beware of cornices forming above which may be prone to avalanche.
2 Make a platform. Stamp it down or dig it out with a snow shovel. If the latter, use the displaced snow to build a low wall a few feet away on the windward side, for extra protection.
3 Check your water supply. Is there running water nearby, or is it likely that you’ll need to melt snow? If so, you’ll need at least double the usual quantity of gas you carry.
4 Insulate everything. Use a thick winter sleeping mat or pair a selfinflating mat with a closed cell foam mat. A sleeping bag liner will make your sleeping bag warmer but you might still need to upgrade to a warmer, winter bag.
5 Banish snow. Brush as much off yourself as possible before getting in your tent. Don’t rush and pay attention to seams, folds and wrinkles where it can gather. Any snow in the tent will melt and make your kit damp.
6 Get your wet kit off double speed, including socks, gloves and sweaty underwear, and get into dry clothing and your sleeping bag as quickly as you can.
7 Make it warm. Fill a bottle with hot water and wrap it in a buff or sock for a makeshift hot water bottle, or chuck a couple of handwarmers in your sleeping bag to warm it up before you wriggle in.
8 If you get cold at night, generate metabolic heat by doing sit-ups, crunches or knee bends in your bag. Or get out of your tent, do a few sprints and admire the snow in moonlight.