sam_acw said:
I'll be spending my second winter in a cold country this year, but my first when I'll still be trying to go out into the woods.
I was wondering if any of the members from the frozen North (Scandanavia or Canada, not Yorkshire
) had any tips for dealing with the cold and snow when you're outside.
Well this enough to fill a whole series of books. But some basic hints..
Clothing
-Outers must be windproof. They should also be roomy to allow a lot of insuating air inside. Not to roomy, then it will take to much energy to heat all the air up. Pockets are necessary. The zipper (if needed, an anorak lack it) should have a storm flap, not just consist of a showerproof laminated zipper. The jacket should be long.
-Baselayer should be of wool. The shirt should preferably have a zipper and thumb-loops. Don't even think about cotton undies.
-Cover the extremities at all times. Mittens should be worn instead of gloves. The best combination is a windproof outer-mitten with a woolen mitten inside. And next to the skin a thin glove (also wool). The finger glove can be used for delicate work (fiddling with your ski-bindings or lacing your skiboots). Use your jacket-hood as often as possible since it will be windproof. A knitted cap is usually enough when skiing.
-Shoes, or skiing boots should preferably have no insulation or foam. It's a real pain in the a-- skiing with frozen boots. And they will get frozen if you plan to do any camping. A good leather boot will get flexible after 45 minutes. My meindl takes hours... The best winter boots are those with removable felt inner shoes. (for example sorel caribou or varg polar). This allows you to dry a pair of inner boots for the morning.
-Always carry reinforcement clothing. And these should be considered reserves, not to be used in any activity. A heavy parka, a down jacket or a thick woolen sweater are good examples. Don't forget reinforcement hats. A fur hat is nice and cosy when it's -20 and windy.
-"If you sweat, you die" -Inuit proverb. Something to think about.
Camping Hiking, Etc...
-Carry a snow-shovel, a sleeping pad and a thermos when hiking. And of course a good 4-season tent. Make sure that the thermos is filled at all times (except when drinking of course).
-Never sit in the snow! Use the sleeping pad. Don't rest on windy locations, make a temporary windshelter out of snow for breaks.
-As soon as you take your break, put on reinforcement clothing. Try to ventilate your outers while resting.
-Never put wet stuff in the sleeping bag, the moist will get trapped and later frozen.
-A multifuel stove is much more efficient in winter. If you use a meth stove, keep the meth bottle in a pocket close to your body. Cold meth is hard to ignite.
-Pack much more food then needed, your energy demands are much higher in winter. Especially sugar is much more needed, and appreciated.
-Try to dig the tent down in the snow, that way you won't get strange drafts. But make sure you have clear ventilation channels.
-Carry a waterbootle in your jacket close to your body, so you can rehydrate. Water in your backpack will freeze. Fresh fruit and similar should also be carried in pockets...
-Change your socks often, dry them inside your pants, on the thighs. If you rest with sweaty socks you risk frostbites.
-Skiing is more efficient then snow shoes, and walking isn't usually an option. Everytime you ski, your skiing skills develop. Take every oppurtunity you get to improve your skiing.
-Heavy loads are preferably pulled in pulkas.
-Never touch metal with your bare hands! That's why you have thin finger gloves. Tape up you thermos with sportstape, especially the cup, so you can have a nice cup of tea in the sleeping bag before you put on gloves in the morning.
Well that was some loose tips. Hope it helped. Will try to remember more if you need. It's just in my normal behaviour, so it's hard to put everything down.
