Adventure

5 Winter Survival Tips You Need to Know, According to the Boy Scouts

February 8, 2019Garland Kennedy
Coffee or Die Photo

When the days grow cold and short, a lot of people use that as an excuse to stay indoors. But with a little bit of preparation and forethought, you can hike and backpack all through the winter without an issue.


The Boy Scouts of America keep a simple set of guidelines meant to help people stay safe and comfortable in the cold. The Scouts use the acronym COLD — Clean, Overheating (avoid it), Loose Layers, and Dry. If it seems elementary to look to the Boy Scouts for winter survival advice, just remember that it’s often the basics that make the difference between enjoying the outdoors and pure misery — or, in extreme situations, life and death.


A winter campsite near Gunsight Mountain in Alaska. Photo courtesy of Chris Kennedy.

Keep things waterproof


The key to staying warm in the cold is staying dry. Once you get wet, the water conducts heat directly away from your body and makes you cold fast.


So, how do you stay dry?


The most obvious way to keep yourself from getting wet is by wearing waterproof clothing. Not all waterproofing is created equal. At the risk of horrible oversimplification, the most reliable and breathable waterproof clothing is Gore-Tex or other similar three-layer membranes.


Gore-Tex is tough, reasonably light, and so waterproof that companies such as Kokatat also make full dry suits out of it for cold-water paddlers. If you maintain your gear properly, it will serve you for a long time.


Also, a packing list distributed by Boy Scout Troop 140 reminds scouts: “If you get wet, make sure you change into dry clothes as soon as possible.” Wet clothes will lower your body temperature, even if they are made of wool and layered well. If you’re dealing with wet, sloppy snow, this is especially important.


The author’s cousin in full winter kit, including an ice axe, on Flattop Mountain, just outside Anchorage. Photo courtesy of Chris Kennedy.

Dress in layers and avoid cotton


Another key part of staying warm is being able to regulate your body temperature, so make sure you dress in layers and add or remove those layers as needed. We’ll have more on this later, but it’s just as important not to overheat as it is to stay reasonably warm.


And while you’re busy picking out layers, be careful to pay attention to what they’re made of. Layers made of wool or polyester tend to keep warm even when wet; however, cotton — especially denim — doesn’t hold heat when wet and takes a long time to dry.


Don’t forget to eat and drink


When it’s cold outside, it’s easy to forget that you need water. You may not feel thirsty, but hydration is still incredibly important in the winter. Staying properly hydrated helps your body regulate temperature, so drink regularly.


The same goes for food. If you go a long time in the cold without eating, your body’s furnace cools down. Calories keep you warm — don’t forget them!


A little planning and preparation can keep you warm, dry, and enjoying an outdoor winter adventure — such as trekking across a frozen lake — instead of suffering through the elements. Photo courtesy of Chris Kennedy.

Don’t overexert!


And the final piece of advice from the BSA: Keep yourself within firm limits. If you rush, you will sweat, and no matter how waterproof your outer shells are, you will be wet — and then you’ll be cold. Overexertion in the wilderness kills.


When you rush, you also miss small details that may predict weather or terrain. So slow down when it’s cold outside; take time to think and plan every move.


The Scouts tell people to “avoid overheating by adjusting the layers of your clothing to meet the outside temperature and the exertions of your activities.” Making sure you don’t overexert or overheat ties to all the other points here. If you overheat, you will get wet, then cold.


So take it easy in the extreme cold and make sure to work within your limits.


Be prepared


The epitome of being a Scout is preparedness. However you plan your winter adventures, make sure you’re ready for whatever may come. Pack an extra layer, extra food, extra water. Gear is heavy, but winter is the time of year that demands the most equipment.


Have fun in the snow, but stay warm!


Garland Kennedy
Garland Kennedy

Garland Kennedy is a contributing writer for Coffee or Die. As an avid backpacker and outdoorsman, he has explored wide-open spaces all over North America — from the forests of North Carolina (he’s a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in medieval history) to the mountains of Alaska. His previous bylines include gear reviews on RockChuckSummit.com.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
Curtis LeMay
Curtis LeMay: The World War II General Who Firebombed Japan

Who exactly was Gen. Curtis LeMay? And how did he become the commander who razed more than 60 Japanese cities during World War II?

eric smith marine corps commandant nominee
Highly Decorated Marine Officer Nominated To Be Next Commandant

President Joe Biden has nominated a highly decorated Marine officer who has been involved in the transformation of the force to be the next Marine Corps commandant.

USS Arizona
Profile of a Ship: USS Arizona

When the USS Arizona sank, it took 1,177 crew members with it. Today it remains beneath the water as a memorial to all those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor.

b1 bombers bosnia
US Bombers Fly Over Bosnia in Sign of Support Amid Continued Secessionist Threats

A pair of U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers flew low over Sarajevo and several other Bosnian cities...

SR-71 Blackbird
SR-71 Blackbird: The Spy Plane That Could Outrun Missiles

Lockheed Martin’s SR-71 Blackbird was a government secret for years. Now retired, a newer version plans to take its place.

medal of honor recipient remains returned
Missing 73 Years, Medal of Honor Recipient's Remains Return To Georgia

Soldiers of the 9th Infantry Regiment made a desperate retreat as North Korean troops closed in arou...

dear jack
Dear Jack: My Battalion Is Out of Control

In this installment of “Dear Jack,” Marine veteran and amateur life coach Jack Mandaville advises a lieutenant colonel on how to restore order in the lower ranks.

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
  • Request a Correction
  • Write for Us
  • General Inquiries
© 2023 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved