Chilly Scenes of Winter: What We Learned 
AMC Outdoors, November 2000
Even though it's winter, you can still Leave No Trace
1. Check snow conditions often. Carry an avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel and learn how to use them.
2. Travel and camp on deep snow whenever possible. During thaws, stay on snow or walk in the middle of the trail.
3. Dispose of waste properly. Pack out everything you bring with you. Pack out feces, or cover them deep in snow away from trails and at least 200 feet (70 adult steps) from water sources.
4. Respect wildlife. Winter is a vulnerable time for animals, so keep your distance. Never feed wildlife or leave food behind.
5. Be considerate of other visitors. Separate ski and snowshoe tracks where possible and don't hike on ski or snowshoe tracks.
Take an Leave No Trace course with the AMC — select the "Leave No Trace" category of our Outdoor Workshops and Adventures catalog or call 603-466-2727. Read more about Leave No Trace principles. You can also visit Leave No Trace's own Website or call 303-442-8222 to find out more.
Eat well and stay warm
1. Throw all calorie caution to the wind. You need lots out here, in any form you want: candy bars, butter, peanuts, pasta.
2. When it comes to cooking, white-gas stoves work best. Put something underneath (an extra pot top will do) to keep the stove from melting the snow and dumping your dinner in the drifts. And don't cook in your tent, to avoid noxious fumes and the potential for fire.
3. Allow plenty of time to prepare cooked meals, especially if you're melting snow. Start with hot drinks or soup to take the edge off.
4. When you go to bed, take snacks with you (as long as bears aren't a concern). The extra energy will warm you if you wake up cold.
5. As on any hiking trip, drink plenty of water. Dehydration is a threat in the cold, just as it is at the height of summer.
Dress for winter camping success
1. Clothing doesn't provide you with heat — your body does. Dress in layers (long underwear, fleece or wool sweaters and pants, and an outer shell) to help trap that warmth and keep out cooling wind and rain.
2. Avoid snaps, which tend to freeze shut or clog with ice. Make sure zippers have pulls, so they're easy to use with mittens and gloves.
3. Sweat reduces insulation value by up to 90 percent. Take off layers as you warm up, putting them back on when you stop moving.
4. You can lose 70 percent of your body heat above your shoulders; covering up your head and neck will make a noticeable difference.
5. Keep clothes dry, brushing off snow before it has a chance to melt. Change out of damp clothes — at the least, socks — at your campsite.
Chilly Scenes of Winter, Intro | Sleepless in Siberia | The Insider |
License to Eat | What We Learned
