Expeditions early in the season can be a chilly affair. Waking to a frosty morning and iced over tents can be expected into April. Snow on higher ground isn’t unheard of. Here’s a quick guide to keeping warm all year round.

Keep dry. Water conducts heat away from your body far quicker than air does. Even in mild weather, wet clothing can cause the onset of hypothermia. Carry and use a water proof jacket and trousers. Don’t let your feet get wet. Change out of your wet clothes as soon as you make camp. Change back into your wet clothes in the morning so even if it rains again you’ll still have dry clothes.

Layers. A synthetic base layer will draw moisture away from your skin. A cotton t-shirt will soak up your sweat and start to feel very cold when you’ve stopped for a rest on a windy hilltop. If you start to overheat, remove that fleecy layer to prevent yourself from sweating too much. You can always replace it later. Remember that once you start moving you’ll soon warm up.

Hats. Wear one. A lot of your body heat is lost through your head and cold ears are no fun.

Gloves. Cold fingers are almost as fun as cold ears. Even expensive gloves eventually get wet due to the large hole where your hand goes. Use two pairs of cheap gloves and dry out the pair you’re not wearing under your clothing and close to your body.

Eat well. If you don’t have the calories inside you to burn you’ll soon start to suffer.

Shelter. Don’t hang around in cold weather longer than you have to. If you’ve just arrived at camp, one person can cook the food whilst the others pitch the tent. If you’re leaving your camp, getting everyone up, fed and on the move will make a cold morning much more bearable.