The REAL Cold Weather Comfort

Tom Dunlap · Jan 29, 2004

Re: The REAL Cold Weather Comfort -Picture

When I think of being cold, this picture is what comes up on my mental screen. This was taken on the last morning of a six day camping trip in the BWCAW on the MN/Ontario border. The day before the afternoon temp was mid thirties. The snow was wet and mushy. By dusk the temp was dropping and we knew it was going to be cold. Our plan was to break camp, slam down a cup of coffee, eat some granola bars and bolt back to the trailhead to make it to Ely for cakes and hashbrowns at Britton's. The ski was about 2.5 miles and the temp was minus twenty with only a little wind. In order to distract my mind from how cold my feet were I sang "Cadillac Ranch" by Springsteen over and over. During the ski I had stopped to thaw off the icecles once. The pic is of the second crop. Even with all of the hustle to get up and out early we missed breakfast but had a great lunch. After lunch we went to the Ely Steambath to thaw and cleanup.

ARBOR_X · Jan 29, 2004

Re: The REAL Cold Weather Comfort -Picture

Hey, is that Grizzly Adams or Sam Elliot ? LOL

blue · Jan 29, 2004

Re: The REAL Cold Weather Comfort -Picture

working in snow or freezing temps are not really a worry in england because if we have say 2" of snow followed by a night of lets say -3c you 'aint gotta worry about goin to work the next day.

why?

because the road network is screwed by the morning.it's amazing how under prepared most brits are for dealing with a bit of snow and ice.god help us if we ever get any real bad weather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John_Paul_Sanborn · Jan 29, 2004

Re: The REAL Cold Weather Comfort -Picture

I'm a big beleiver in layering. insulated clothes are usually too bulky for me.

My REI Switchback jacket is the best purchace I've made as far as clothing goes. Very good at windstopping and breathable. Put a sweatshirt under it and I can work to 10 above. The hood will fit over my helmet too.

For head gear I've been wearing a neoprene mask by Sirius, wicks the sweat out and keeps the wind off. Looks like a wet suit hood.

I've been wearing neoprene ice fishing gloves too, they don't last as long as the cloth, but block the wind much better. Too warm when over 25* though, then I go to the yellow sticky gloves.

Oh and the neprene gloves actually fit my oversized meathooks.

Socks, I started wearing the UltraMax by Wigwam and my feet stay warm and dry in all weather (in my REI SpiritII boots)

My fingers are the only thing that give me grief (Well my asthma too) in the cold. The sock wrist gators that Tom mentioned has been helping me for years.

Don't wear anything tight on the arm and wrist, and close any gaps in covering.
Anothe good thing about layering is that you can open and vent as needed. I start to over heat around the neck the most so i open zippers and roll the turtle down a little. The REI jacket has those vent zippers, so i can open those if needed.