How to Stay Warm on a Fall Backpacking Trip

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again - fall is hands down one of our favorite seasons in the backcountry. Sneaking in a late season backpacking trip is one of our favorite ways to spend a fall weekend but with beautiful foliage and quieter trails comes shorter, darker days and dropping temperatures. If you’re anything like us (and run cold even on the warmest of summer nights) staying toasty on autumn trips can be a challenge. Here are our tips to staying warm while more extreme temperatures and weather move into the mountains.

While Hiking

The most effective way to combat the cold on trail is to establish a solid layering system which will help regulate body temperature as outdoor temperatures fluctuate. Hike in merino wool or synthetic fabric base layers designed to dry quickly and wick away moisture while moving. Avoid any kind of cotton base layer as the material soaks through with sweat and stays damp which is a sure way to lose body heat. Make sure your packing list includes a mid layer sweater, insulating jacket, rain jacket and rain pants - rain layers can double as shells for wind and cold. Store these additional layers at the top of your pack for easy access in case conditions change while hiking. Use the motto ‘don’t be silly, start chilly’ and begin your hike in one layer less than you need to stay warm while prepping your bag at the trailhead. If it is cold enough, consider a base layer pant under hiking pants for added warmth.

While hiking, remove layers before you break a sweat to avoid any damp clothing. Similarly, layer up before you feel cold when you stop for a break. It is much harder to warm yourself up once you already feel cold. This applies to rain gear as well, do not try to wait for a storm to blow over or wait until you are wet to put on rain gear - put it on as soon as it starts to drizzle to avoid your layering system getting wet. Aim to take short breaks in sheltered or sunny areas where you are less likely to feel the biting temperature.

Even when temperatures feel frosty, the sun can still be strong enough to give you a nasty sunburn in the fall. Wear sunscreen to avoid sunburns as they will catch up with you in the evening and cause you to feel extra chilly overnight.

At Camp

Arriving to camp and slowing down for the evening is when most backpackers really start to notice the cold. One of your best defenses against chilly, dreary nights is the location you choose to set up camp. Choose a campsite that is well sheltered from wind and elements, off ridgelines and away from exposed areas to avoid any additional windchill factor. Keep in mind that cold air sinks so it is best to avoid camping at the lowest point on trail, like a valley. A mid-elevation site below treeline where you have protection is ideal. Plan to share your tent with others if going on a group trip, the more body heat the better. Set up your tent with the rainfly even if skies are forecasted to be clear - star gazing is amazing but the fly will retain a lot of much-needed heat overnight.

Upon arrival to camp, change into warm, dry camp clothes and layer up to avoid catching a chill now that you have stopped moving. It is a good idea to pack an extra set of base layers so you have a cozy and dry outfit to change into at the end of each day. Bring a warm hat, gloves, socks and down booties to wear while hanging at camp. Take turns completing cold camp chores with your hiking partners (ex. collecting and filtering water) or take time to warm up in between if alone. Periodically get up and walk around or do a few jumping jacks to increase your heart rate and circulation which in turn will increase body temperature. Pack tea, hot chocolate or a warm beverage of your choice to sip on throughout the evening.

It is important to pack and consume more calories than a typical summer trip as your body needs more fuel to keep you warm in colder temperatures. Snack more frequently on cold weather trips and eat a full meal before bed to ensure the engine is fueled for overnight. Before putting your cook system away for the evening, boil hot water to fill a nalgene bottle and throw the tightly closed bottle in your sleeping bag 20 minutes before hopping in. This little trick will pre-heat your sleeping bag before you get in and help you stay warm through the first few hours of the night.

Overnight

Your sleeping bag and mattress are the two most important pieces of gear for staying toasty overnight. Use a well-fitted, mummy shaped sleeping bag as these bags are designed to retain heat most efficiently. The less space inside your bag, the faster you can heat it with body heat. Use a bag rated at or below the coldest temperature of your trip and keep in mind that sleeping bags are rated for survival and not necessarily for comfort. If you run cold like we do, use a bag that is rated for colder temperatures than those you will experience on the trip. Add a sleeping bag liner to your sleep system to add up to 25°F of warmth. Before you go to bed, fluff your sleeping bag and shake up the insulation - this can be helpful after the sleeping bag has been squished into a compression sack all day. Sleep with the hood of your sleeping bag cinched around your head so only your nose and mouth peek out. Avoid burrowing your entire face into the headpiece of your sleeping bag as this creates condensation which causes your bag to lose insulation.

Use an insulated sleeping pad with a high R value - R value measures how well an object resists heat so the higher the R value, the warmer your sleeping pad will keep you. Aim for a pad with an R value of at least 3-4 or even 5 if temperatures are projected to drop below freezing. We recommend bringing a second mat to place under your insulated mat. An ultralight pad like a therm-a-rest z lite is a great option to avoid adding extra weight to your pack.

Sleep in long underwear or base layers which are designed to keep you warm. These breathable layers are light enough that your body heat will still be able to heat your sleeping bag. You want to avoid wearing too many layers to bed as this does not allow your sleeping bag to warm up and do it’s job. If you feel like you need more layers, try draping them over top of your sleeping bag for added insulation. You can also try stuffing clothes at the foot of your sleeping bag - your feet are the furthest from the furnace (your core) and can use all the insulation they can get! It is a nice touch to stuff the following day’s outfit in your sleeping bag so they are warm when you change the next morning. Wear a hat or balaclava to bed to retain the heat that escapes through your head and wear a pair of clean, warm socks that are designated for sleeping.

Before tucking away to bed you should always go to the bathroom. Your body exerts energy to keep urine warm so the emptier you keep your bladder the warmer you will be. If you wake up in the middle of the night and need to pee, it is best to get out of your warm snuggly sleeping bag and go right away (even though it is a dread-worthy task). You will be warmer and more more comfortable if you do it. You should also open the vents on your tent before heading to sleep. Airflow is important to avoid creating condensation while you breathe overnight. If you do not vent, the condensation can dampen items in your tent like your sleeping bag which in turn can cause you to feel cold.

In the morning when you wake up, do a few arm circles or sit ups while still inside your tent to get circulation moving again before braving the cold dawn temperatures. If needed, wrap your sleeping bag around you while eating breakfast and drinking coffee (or any other time you are chilly hanging at camp).

We hope these tips help your October trips feel like balmy mid-July trips!