If you are a true lover of camping, then you simply can’t kick the need to unroll the sleeping bag, even in the winter.  So, if you are going to test your skills as a survivalist, while the blizzards dumps mounds of snow on a large section of the country, then you might want to test your knowledge first.

So, let us play a game of “Did You Know…?”

#1. Did You Know That Batteries Aren’t as Efficient in Cold Weather? It’s the reason why car batteries don’t last as long in the northern regions of the country as they do here, in California.  It is also the reason why your flashlight might fail you in the overnight hours during your winter camping excursion.  So, before you dump the batteries all together, try warming them up.  Slip them inside your pocket for a bit or into your glove for a few moments.

#2. Did You Know That Your Water Bottle Was Designed To Serve More than One Purpose? We can’t be certain that the makers of Nalgene bottles had winter campers in mind when they developed their practically indestructible water bottles, but we do know that these bottles can withstand water at boiling temperatures.  So, before you go to bed at night, fill the bottle with the hot water, slip it inside a sock or mitten, then tuck it inside your sleeping bag.  You’ll have a bit of added warmth by your feet and, in the morning, you’ll have liquid to drink.

#3. Did You Know That Metal Gets Cold Faster Than Other Materials?  You likely did know it, but it is worth repeating as you plan your wintertime camping trip.  Not only with your metal utensils and fuel tanks be painful to handle in the bitter cold, the cold spoons will also slow the cooking time of your food, because they will cool its temperature each time you place the spoon in the pot to stir.  Opt for wooden utensils, and rely on duct tape to insulate fuel tanks, which will also reduce the painful effect of touching the tanks with ungloved hands.