Cold weather camping doesn’t have to be miserable, but I see a handful of mistakes over and over that turn a “fun trip” into a long, cold night. In this video, Jon and I break down the biggest ones—starting with the classic: people pack for the exact forecast instead of the conditions they might actually get. In the mountains (and especially at elevation), forecasts can be miles off. So if it says “20s,” I’m thinking “what if it’s 0°?” and I build my sleep system and layers around that. We also get into the stuff that actually makes or breaks your comfort: insulation under you (R-value matters), not over-layering while you’re moving (sweat is the enemy), and changing into dry clothes before bed—especially socks. Then we talk about why I don’t like relying on gadgets alone (batteries die fast in the cold), and why I’d rather lean on systems, redundancy, and skills. That includes simple heat tricks like a Nalgene “hottie,” smarter campsite selection (avoid cold sinks like valleys and river bottoms), and having a backup plan like an extra pad or a quilt. Finally, we cover inside-the-body warmth: calories, hydration, and a little movement before bed so you climb into your bag already warm.