Is Cold Weather Camping Fun?

With my vast experience of exactly one camping trip under my belt, I thought I was ready to advance to colder weather camping. To be honest, I also knew that I needed to continue this journey without a long break until spring. Since I’ve been an empty nester, I have found the cold, dreary winter days difficult. With more inside days, I am likely to ruminate on my situation and the uncertainty of my direction. Picture a compass with the needle wavering erratically, never settling on true north. If I am going to find myself, it will not be indoors. Sooner or later, I will need to head into the winter woods. 

However, I didn’t take into account that, with the pandemic, even December is a popular month to camp. The nearest campground requires a minimum two-night stay. Hmm. The next closest campgrounds were booked on the days I could go. So, my backyard it would be. Not a problem. I have a fire pit and a level grassy area to pitch my tent. And most importantly, a nearby bathroom. 

On a Friday evening, I packed a cooler and headed out back to set up my campsite. The weather forecast showed temps falling into the low forties. I could so totally do this. Not a cloud in the night sky. I was able to see my favorite constellation, Orion, while I sat near the warm fire. Closing my eyes and leaning back in my chair, I imagined myself in the woods. There was a soft breeze blowing through the trees, and I could hear the leaves rustle, then fall to the grass. I sipped my warm apple cider and looked forward to a night of stargazing and then later, dreaming of future camping trips.

Fast forward two restful hours and insert the sound of squealing tires and the roar of engines. What the fudge? Our lovely city has been plagued with drag racing during the past several months of this pandemic. The sound of racing continued until 4:30 in the morning. I was exhausted. As I drank my strong cup of coffee by the morning fire, I pondered the wisdom of backyard urban camping. Maybe I could have survived the required two night minimum. It would certainly have been easier than the night I just had. As I spent the rest of the day in a foggy, sleepy haze, I began planning the next cold weather camping do over.

A week later, temps were predicted to drop to the low thirties/upper twenties. Perfect. 

This time I chose the middle of the week. The day was a high of 42 and windy. The winds would increase as the temps dropped. I set up the tent and made sure to stake and secure it in preparation for the coming windy night. My early present to myself was a warm weather sleeping bag made for women. I added an older sleeping bag over my sleeping pad for more insulation and threw a blanket inside just in case. I can do this!

With layers of warm clothing topped with ski pants, jacket, hat and gloves, I was ready. A good friend arrived to social-distance support me by spending the evening sipping bourbon-spiced apple cider around the fire. It was a beautiful starry night and not a sound of racing to be heard. We caught up on kids, parents, and life during Covid. I am so grateful to have friends who support my quest of self-discovery and are willing to sit outside on a really cold night with me. I checked my weather app and the current temperature was 34 with the windchill factor making it feel like 27. So far, so good. 

After goodbyes and wishes for a safe and warm night from my friend, it was time to let the fire die down and try out the new sleeping bag. I also decided to increase my chances of making it through the night by bringing my 70-pound, heat-generating dog into the tent. We settled in for the night, and I began reading by the light of my boys’ hand me down lantern. It was really cold. I was still wearing all my layers including my jacket, ski pants and hat. My live heater was curled up on my legs under the blanket. I was already congratulating myself on how effortlessly I had survived this night. Thirty minutes later, my secret weapon/living heater, stood up and wanted out. 

The rest of the night was cold. It wasn’t relaxing or exciting. By snuggling down into my bag and pulling the hood over my head, I was able to warm up and even shed a few layers. My tent held up in the winds, and I was able to catch a few hours of sleep. I realized that being alone, I was struggling to “dig deep” so to speak and get through the night. There’s a lot of time for thought and reflection when you lie awake in a warm, dark sleeping bag, and you don’t want to stick your head out into the cold air. I thought about friends and family who are alone at this time due to the pandemic. I miss my family members who I won’t see over the holidays. I miss my firstborn—the catalyst to my journey. I was comforted to think that we were both beneath the same beautiful stars.

I’d like to say I made it through the night, got up and made coffee while sitting by the fire. Truth is, I had to use the bathroom in the wee hours of the morning. It’s hard to go back outside after thawing out. I tried. But not very hard. I had left my ski pants in my sleeping bag and my jacket in the tent while I ran inside. And my living heater was snoring soundly on the couch. I ran upstairs, curled up in my comfy bed, and stuck my cold feet against my husband’s warm side. I slept soundly for two hours, then drank hot coffee while looking at my campsite through the kitchen windows. 

Last night, I built a fire in my backyard. The sky was beautiful and clear. I sat back in my chair and stared up at the stars. I thought again of the family that we would miss this Christmas but happy they are staying safe and healthy. I pondered my two evenings spent attempting to cold weather camp in my backyard. The planning was definitely better than the actual execution. But I’m not deterred. I successfully secured my tent in windy conditions. My sleeping bag kept me warm.  And sipping hot spiced apple cider next to a warm fire that I built myself is awesome. I’ve learned a lot since I first started down this path. The call is still there. Is cold weather camping fun? The verdict is still out. I’ll let you know soon because I can’t wait to try again. In the woods. At a real campsite.  Even if I have to book two nights. 

For anyone reading this, I hope you have a peaceful and merry rest of 2020. I really am so grateful to be supported by my husband, boys and friends during my venture to “find myself” in this next phase of life. I’m excited to share with all of you my newfound love of camping with its many peaks and valleys along my path.  Let’s do this, 2021!