Clothes:
• A knit hat has a big impact on staying warm in your sleeping bag. Hats that can be rolled down over ears and low on your neck are best.

• Bring enough underwear and socks so that you a have fresh dry (un-sweated) pair to put on before bed. If two nights, you need the pair you wear at the start on the first day, a fresh pair for the first night that is also worn for the second day, and a fresh pair for the second night that you wear during the third day.

• When active, only a thin jacket or vest might be adequate. You will be sweating and you might be wet from rain, but being active is keeping you warm, except maybe for your hands and feet.

• When inactive like in the evenings plan for more layers since you are not generating as much heat. In windy weather you get cold much sooner. In wet weather you need to keep dry. Bring a good coat and rain jacket. Rain pants are nice as a wind break or second layer over pants.

• Cotton clothes such as jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, and long johns should be avoided. Look for synthetic materials or wool for all of these.

• When hiking your feet will get wet from sweat or rain. If your feet are not cold, keep your boots on so that the heat from your body will help them dry. If you have very cold feet, you might try to dry boots and socks at the fire, but many boots have been ruined by not being careful. A separate pair of light camp sneakers or flip flops are needed if you change out of boots. If you have problems with your boots, you can hike in sneakers.

• Mittens work better than gloves to keep your hands warm. Assume gloves or mittens will get wet if making snow balls or wearing in the rain. Better to pull off your mittens and keep them dry for later when you are inactive.

Sleeping:
• Most sleeping bags are going to be adequate in mid 40 degree temperatures. Sleeping bags have temperature ratings, standard testing list three different levels, the company might advertise the most extreme temperature. Look for the Comfort temperature. Lighter bags with lower Comfort temperatures will be the most expensive. Heavier bags are less expensive. Goal is 3-4lbs.

• You can add a liner or second thin sleeping bag to your sleeping bag. In temperatures below 40 a standard bag will need a liner, or you will need your coat over the bag and good long johns and heavy socks in the bag.

• You need a mat under the sleeping bag. Most inflatable pads provide little insulation, a foam pad has more insulation. Both together are best but too heavy for backpacking.

• You need to be dressed in fresh dry clothes and socks before getting into the sleeping bag. That includes underwear. Use a camp towel or microfiber cloth to wipe off sweat. Try to keep your sleeping bag open as long as possible to avoid sweating in your fresh clothes. Only zip up after you have stopped sweating. Consider using the zip at the bottom to open up the foot area so you don't sweat through the bottom of the sleeping bag.

• A Nalgene bottle can be filled with near boiling water and used as a warmer in your sleeping bag. Hand heater packs can also be used in a sleeping bag. If you know you will need to get up in the night, consider bringing an empty soda bottle in the tent.

Tent:
• Tents will form condensation on the inside from your perspiration and breathing. This will get your sleeping bag wet if you push against the side of the tent. If the tent is on sloping ground you are always sliding into the wet wall of the tent. Find flat ground and stay away from the sides and stay on your mat if the floor is wet. A microfiber clothes works well to wipe moisture off of the tent, squeeze it out outside of the tent door. Ventilation through the tent helps with condensation but also makes a tent colder. A well sealed tent will be 10 degrees warmer than outside.

Food:
• High energy foods help keep you generating heat. Keep hydrated, a headache and dark urine are a sign you need to drink more. Drink a lot of warm liquids on a cold campout but avoid caffeine from the afternoon onward.