Camping in the cooler months is great here in WA. While rainfall does increase in the winter, we enjoy largely acceptable conditions when compared with the likes of Victoria and South Australia who often drown once April finishes.
WA has cold crisp nights punctuated by bright clear days with temperatures averaging between 6 and 10 degrees. Now, we won’t lie, those temps are bloody cold, but not unmanageable. The hardest part is keeping warm during the night, when the body’s temperature drops during sleep. So here are some tips to keep comfortable:
1.Sleeping bags- buy the best you can afford. Sleeping bags use a temperature range to classify them into warmer and colder categories. It’s useful to have two, one for the warmer months, one for the winter. There are also sleeping bag liners available for purchase to upgrade the capabilities of your bag.
2.Clothing- Change into clean clothes before bed, and add layers, while avoiding cotton. Wear socks and a beanie. The majority of heat is lost through the body’s extremities, you’ll be amazed at what a pair of wool socks can do to retain heat.
3.Bed- Try and get up off the ground. A camp stretcher with a yoga mat and your bedding does a great job at helping you retain warmth. The cold ground will effectively leach away any heat you develop while in your bag.
4.Getting warm BEFORE bed- Heat up a hot water bottle. Throw this into bed before you hit the hay. Ensure you use a good quality one to avoid any bed wetting incidents. Eat later in the day, as your body will use this energy as fuel to keep you warm and regulate your body’s temperature. Some people go so far as to eat a high energy snack, but its important not to pig out on a heavy meal, as the body will be trying to digest that instead of warming itself!
5.PEE BREAKS- Avoid too much liquid before bed, we all know how uncomfortable it is having to get out of your nice warm bed!
With these 5 tips, you and the family should be able to brave the winter chill and still be able to explore the sights and experiences WA has to offer in the cooler seasons!
