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Winter Camp Notes from your Advisor

 Dress to Keep Warm!!! It won’t be fun if you’re shivering.

 

Correct LAYERING is the Key!

 

Inner Layers (i.e. those worn next to your skin)

These layers provide some insulation, but their main purpose is to transfer moisture (sweat) away from your skin, keeping you both warm & dry.

Wool or Synthetic (polypropylene) long underwear **
Liner socks**
Liner gloves

** Invest in these if you’re going to buy anything to prepare for the trip

Insulation Layers

These middle layers are to provide LOTS of dead air space which traps & retains body head to keep you warm.

Wool or Synthetic pile shirts and pants
Synthetic jacket or wool sweater
Synthetic or wool hat and mittens/gloves
For cold evenings you can add a heavily insulated down or synthetic parka with hood over the other layers

Outer Layers

Provide a barrier to keep rain & wind from stealing away your warmth.  Keeps outside water from wetting your insulation layers and keep your body heat in.

Mitten shells
Face mask
Windproof parka or anorak and pants -Be sure jacket has a hood
Nylon, waterproof/breathable are good
If using a less expensive waterproof shell (rain jacket like) take precautions to keep sweat from building up
Wear fewer layers under it
Unzip it and/or leave it open at waist
Slow down if you find yourself sweating
Gaiters are good at keeping deep snow out of boots and socks

 

Note NO COTTON for daytime clothes.  It will get damp, from your own sweat if from nothing else, and when wet it will make you COLD.

 

Keeping your feet dry

Feet are tough, even with the best boots.  They perspire lots making it hard to keep them warm.  Snow will permeate the boot letting the moisture in.

 

Use  “Snow seal” to seal your boots (if appropriate) but this may not be enough.

Bring EXTRA SOCKS!!!  Change into dry socks when you slow down from heavy activity.  That’s when your feet will get cold.

 

Feet still cold – try the following

 

Vapor-Barrier System for keeping your feet warm

  1. Wear a thin liner sock of wool or polypropylene next to your foot
  2. Over this sock wear a vapor-barrier sock – you can buy a coated nylon sock or use a thick plastic bag – to trap the moisture generated by your foot
  3. Over the vapor-barrier sock wear two medium-weight wool or synthetic socks.  With the vapor-barrier sock blocking your foot perspiration, your insulating socks and the inside of your boot will stay dry.
  4. Putting a plastic bag over your insulating socks will further protect them from moisture permeating through from the outside of the boot.
You can also use foot powder or rub your feet with antiperspirant to cut down on moisture

 

Sleeping Warm

Sleeping Bag:

A warm is a must for this campout
It should be a MUMMY bag (rectangular bags will be much cooler) hopefully rated to 20 deg F (consider renting a warm bag if all you have is a rectangular slumber bag!)

Sleeping Pads

Snow covered ground will be cold and remember that no matter how thick, the sleeping bags insulation will be crushed by your weight as you sleeping letting the cold in – sucking the warmth right out of you.
Pads put insulation between you and the cold ground
Types:
Open cell foam pads – “egg crate” and the like – compress easily so need to be at least 1 ½ “ thick – absorb water so need waterproof cover
Closed cell foam pads – don’t compress so can be thinner (3/8”), but need two to be warm enough
Air mattress – no insulation in air chambers – will be cold – Don’t use
“Thermarest” foam filled air mattress – good insulators and comfortable – most are thin so should be used with a closed cell foam pad
Recommendation – Thermarest + closed cell  pad if you already have a thermarest, else two closed cell pads (they cost around $6 at Target or Sports Chalet) Get extra insulation by using your extra clothes and pack under you at night.

Dressing for a warm sleep

Wear plenty of clothes to bed. It’s nonsense that you’ll sleep warmer with fewer clothes on
Sleep fully dressed – including hat, pile jacket or sweater, and booties or socks
You lose most of you heat through your head and neck so… wear you hat to bed, and wear a neck warmer or wrap a sweater around your neck like a shawl.
 
Make sure your nose & mouth are outside your sleeping bag.  When your breath inside your bag you exhale moist air, creating a damp, clammy atmosphere. Don’t get into your sleeping bag cold.  Your bag is only insulation and doesn’t generate heat.  Jog around camp, or run in place to warm up before climbing into bed. Eat a chocolate bar, or other high-energy snack before going to bed Keep food to nibble on.  If you wake up cold, eat a handful of gorp or other high-energy food.

 

 

More will be added to this before the Feb 7 meeting

 

Full handouts on gear to bring will be handed out at our Feb 7 meeting (at Buffum’s house) but for planning purposes, each crew member needs to bring:

 

Boots (well waterproofed)   

Snow pants and jacket (or water/wind resistant equivalent)

Snow Gloves

Wool/Fleece Snow Hat

Warm sleeping bag (mummy) – think rentals if you need to
Extra blanket

Two sleeping pads (foam + thermarest or two foam)

Long underwear, tops & bottoms (NOT cotton) or other insulating layers (2 sets)

Heavy socks (at least 3 pairs – again NOT cotton)

Eating gear (thermal mugs, plasticware)

Thermos (steel best) for warm liquids at night

Sunscreen/Chapstick/Matches/Flashlight/Compass/Sunglasses…