So I climbed in an ice storm...

[New2trees]

Well at least you did not have to worry about poison ivy or snakes..

 

[evo]

That was


That was great! I’ve thought I should sew big fabric triangle shaped flaps on the opposite sides base of my cube and pin them down with rocks or pieces of wood for heavy winds. It would be called “The Expeditionary Cube” ;-) The alternating girthing technique you used is my bread and butter when advancing is otherwise not happening, nice work, the last shots are priceless.
-AJ

Tent stakes. The cheap ones like a nail and a little plastic nubbin

 

[evo]

FYI looks close to a 30mph straight wind give or take

 

[TREEfool]

Ok, TREEfool, thanks so much for your comprehensive and very interesting answers to my questions! First off, if it was 15 degrees Fahrenheit outside on the day, I would estimate the wind chill factor temperature to be around zero or a little above, maybe. So it is amazing to me that you felt comfortable the whole time in those conditions. I think you may be a new hero of mine.

Your second paragraph is amazing to me, with regard to your dedication to finding out the truth of things. I really appreciate you mentioning the fact that you went to that extreme.

Thanks for detailing your clothing selection as mentioned in your third paragraph. I'd be interested in hearing why it is that you emphasize the use of NON waterproof clothing at various times in your description? Is it that the waterproof layers trap too much moisture and make you sweat too much? How do you manage to stay dry with the clothing you mention? I'm probably missing something simple, here.

I really am looking forward to seeing your video on this subject, if you manage to find the time to commit your thoughts on this subject to video. Thanks again for posting your video, and for answering my questions. It is greatly appreciated.

Tim

P.S. If it is ok with the moderators here, any links you can provide to the specific pieces of clothing that you have proof-tested and recommend would be greatly appreciated.

Yup.in the winter i stay dry by brushing off the snow from my clothes. the only reason you will get wet in winter is if snow melts on your clothes or you are wearing a waterproof shell which keeps the moisture from your body locked inside of all your layers. (or if you fall through the ice on a frozen river like my good friend did two years ago, haha)

 

[TREEfool]

Tent stakes. The cheap ones like a nail and a little plastic nubbin

Except in the winter pushing tent stakes into the ground is like trying to push a wet noodle into concrete. I think @moss and his "expeditionary" cube would solve the frozen ground problem though.

 

[evo]

Perspective.. we rarely freeze, just 38 wet and windy

 

[Cereal_Killer]

@TREEfool, as a rec climber how annoying do you find mittins? Are you able to manipulate gear / ropes well or do you have to constantly deglove?

 

[moss]

I'm not treefool ;-) but I find mittens to be awesome in super cold climbing situations. If you can find leather outer mittens you can wear Atlas-type grippy gloves under them, so when you pull the mittens off you have some protection, dexterity and good rope grip. I like to snip the finnger tips off of Atlas gloves so they can stay on and I have maximum fine dexterity. You can ascend well on rope when you're wearing mittens by putting an untethered hand ascender on the rope above whatever system you're climbing on, easy to grab with mittens. You can also put air-triggered handwarmers inbetween the outer mitten and whatever base layer glove you're wearing.
-AJ

 

[TREEfool]

@TREEfool, as a rec climber how annoying do you find mittins? Are you able to manipulate gear / ropes well or do you have to constantly deglove?

I couldn't climb in SD winters without them. I have actually gotten quite good at rigging gear and tying knots while wearing my mittens. Gloves just don't keep my hands warm if it's below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If I have to do something that requires that I take off a mitten (like running a camera!) then I will just stuff it inside my jacket where it stays put even if I have to fumble around in the tree. I prefer just using a mitten and not bringing any gloves so that I can just slip my Mitten on and off easily. I have tried my friends Black Diamond mittens for ice climbing and they were the greatest pair of gloves I've ever worn in my life. I had more dexterity with his mittens then some gloves that I have worn. If it wasn't for the high price tag I would own a pair