LAST EDITED ON Oct-07-03 AT 11:20 PM (CDT) I have to go to Vail Colorado the week before
>Thanksgiving to put a photo system on the top of a mountain
>in 10+ feet of snow. Now please realize I am 6 foot tall,
>weigh 145 pounds and have no built in insulation. I have
>also never understood why anyone would want to go someplace
>where it was cold and snowing on purpose
BECAUSE we're SNOW kind of people--we like to fall down in the snow, If you must know!~
Don't forget--Layers (not the chickens) First layer, silk or thin polypro underwear. REI, New Zealand Traders(I got mine there, and their prices are less than stateside)Eddie Bauer or Cabela's. The same for the feet. thin polypro base, if you can get away with them. I can't-- my feet don't like them, so I make do with a heavy wool or wool blend outer sock. Boots: Good waterprof insulated ones! 600 grams of Thinsulate is a good starting place. I tried to get by with a 200 gram pair, for a couple of winters' camping, but it didn't work.(MISERY!) and numb feet. I also wasn't aware my feet are a borderline 14, so they were tight, and two pair of socks in my 13s cut the circulation something fierce. Now, I have a pair of 15s in my closet.
Pacs are good: They are waterproof. If you get a pair that are not waterproof, two plastic bread bags fit over your socks will do the job. Look for at least a -25 degree rating. Get whatever boots you choose at least one size larger than your regular shoe size, to allow for the socks. TRY before you choose,with two pair of socks, and break them in before use.
Over the polypro, medium weight dual layer underwear like Duofold, or medium weight Wool/Polypro. A zipper neck helps to eliminate heat. I got mine at Cabela's. AVIOD the all-cotton waffle weave underwear, It will not transfer moisture will quickly become sodden, and make you cold. They make good pajamas, tho.
Gloves: How dexterous do you need to be? Silk or thin synthetic under all, Wool no finger gloves or pile over that, and a pair of insulated, waterproof mittens (they are warmer)over them all. Have some handwarmers handy, because likely, the thin gloves won't cut it at low temps.
Over that: A turtleneck shirt. Cabela's , Land's End, Eddie Bauer, REI, Ski shops, Sweater over that, I have a Woolly Pully form Brigade Quartermasters, then a good insulated jacket over that.(Down is not necessary, but nice.) Pants: Insulated bibs are good, but windproof pants are O.K., too, depending upon wind, etc. One-piece snowmobile suits are warm, but somewhat inconvenient. Some stores will sell less expensive versions, which will not last as long, but will probably do just fine for your one expedition, followed by snow duty. Beware of Gore-tex and high exertion: you can overburden the moisture transfer capabilities of the fabric, and you can become as wet inside as if the jacket were not water proof.(Guess how I know this!)
Some of the heat packs available are nice: put them in your boot tops, and glove wrists, where the arteries are closest to the surface.A couple near your kidneys can help stave off the chills, and they make great handwarmers.
To repeat: take plenty of liquid: cold will dehydrate you faster than a desert environment. Move SLOWLY! if you sweat, you wet your insulation layers, and you will become chilled. Take something high-energy with you, granola bars or the like, and eat to keep your body heat at a proper level.
Insulate your head--a warm brain is a happy brain, and will keep you from making a potentially fatal mistake. An insulated synthetic watch cap or Balclava, or one of the waterproof, "Mad Bomber" style hats look funny, but are really warm. Protect your ears. they can get frozen in a big hurry.
You may experience arctic cold, but you would be surprised how warm the mountains can be, even at 10,000 feet, with 10 ft of snow, if the weather is good. Sunglasses are almost a must. The weather can that can change in a real hurry, so be prepared.
I hope this has helped a bit. Take a camera,cover the metal with some sort of tape, and don't stick your tongue on a metal flagpole, or anything else.
