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Post by dabrador on Jan 28, 2016 5:37:11 GMT -8
Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone! I think this is what I'll do the next time for a winter trip:
- Mittens: I'll try to find some down mittens to pack in and wear at camp. My gloves did fine while hiking. - Heavier socks: Someone mentioned that my socks weren't heavy enough and they were right. I'll pick up some full cushion Darn Tough socks (love those socks!) and put them on at camp and wear in the sleeping bag. - Closed cell foam pad: I've got an old RidgeRest that I'll take. I can place it under my Exped for extra insulation and use in camp for under my feet and especially while kneeling around the campfire to keep it going. - Hand warmers: These seem like a no-brainer. Just pack a few and use accordingly. - More hot drinks: I admittedly didn't do any of this and I needed to. One change would be to leave my canister stove at home and take my liquid fuel stove. The canister stove did fine but it never got the water into a rolling boil. Those canisters just don't like those really cold temps. I'll take the liquid fuel stove and drink plenty of hot drinks while in camp.
The one unknown are down booties. I may just keep looking and see if I can find something. I'm thinking that the combination of the above items may be enough and I won't need the booties.
If I've missed anything, let me know. Thanks again everyone.
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amaruq
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Post by amaruq on Jan 28, 2016 6:41:52 GMT -8
I also support mittens. I wear thin poly glove liners beneath some insulated shell mittens. When the going is strenuous or I'm in need of dexterity, I remove the mittens. If the strenuousness is excessive, I may even remove the liners.
As for booties, I used to think they were primarily chalet wear. But curiosity got the better of me one winter trip not long past and I invested. While I would not opt for packing them on my back too far into the bush, they did make life a bit more comfortable. Without a doubt, if pulling a pulk, I'd stow 'em aboard. An added bonus at bed time: brush off any clinging snow and swing your feet right into the sleep system (unless they are soaked, then don't do this).
Otherwise, tigger's suggestion of loosening up the boots (and gaiters, which I also recommend) is a good idea. Combine that with some fresh, thick camp-socks and your feet will be somewhat happier.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 29, 2016 10:26:18 GMT -8
I've found one issue with the chemical handwarmers: as Zeke notes, they need oxygen to heat up. So I find that if I stuff them down my shoes, they cool down pretty fast, since they don't get a lot of fresh air down there. I've been trying to work this out, as I use them when biking in cooler temps (I can't even claim "cold" temps, but I seem to have an issue with my feet and any temps below about 70--I kid you not--will result in numb, icy toes after an hour or two in the saddle).
Maybe I need higher quality hand-warmers?
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Post by BoomersAreBack on Oct 19, 2016 21:02:40 GMT -8
I was mildly frostbitten, fingers, toes, and ears. I can usually take care of the ears but in cold weather my fingers and toes hurt even while hiking. They only warm up in the sleeping bag.
What I have not yet tried are ccf pads (which I can't use while hiking), leg warmers, gaiters, or insulated boots. I went out with polypro liners and heavy wool socks and chemical warmers over and under my toes and that was not enough.
I have a pair of Black Diamond Mercury mittens on order. Maybe they will take care of my fingers. Can you suggest any good insulated boots? After studying OutdoorGearLabs testing it seemed only the mountaineering boots and mukluks had much insulation. Neither are good for backpacking/hiking. Maybe I don't live far enough north to know about this stuff.
Do you know any brand names of aerogel insoles?
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Oct 19, 2016 22:20:27 GMT -8
Windproof cloths as an outer layer.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Oct 19, 2016 23:03:34 GMT -8
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Post by dirthurts on Oct 20, 2016 6:02:17 GMT -8
Aside from gear, like a couple others have mentioned, it's often what's inside you as much as it is what's outside of you. Make sure to stay well hydrated, as people tend to drink less in the winter when you should be drinking just as much as in the summer. Also, make sure to take in a combination of lipids (fats), starches (potatoes, pasta) and sugar. This will give you quick energy and heat, but things like proteins and fats that take longer to digest, those will keep you warm well after the meal. A snickers bar and hot chocolate is a personal favorite for long term warmth. If you're not putting off energy, it doesn't matter what is around you, you'll be cold.
Others will disagree, but consider a 4 season tent as the full nylon body that most of them have will block wind and drafts, in my experience, making a huge difference all around.
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Post by dayhiker on Oct 20, 2016 8:42:02 GMT -8
I have several down booties (TNF,Feathered Friends & Sierra Designs) I like TNF the best because there is more insulation in the bottom and grip ok while walking. I use heavy warm socks in them. I might checkout Steger Muluks and those insoles that Tigger mentions. Resting these on a foam pad makes a huge difference. I usually just use socks when sleeping, my feet actually seem colder with the booties - but FF ones are probably better for sleeping and the outer can be removed for that.
My feet sweat easily , so I bring socks too for camp, and sometimes vapor barrier socks for longer trips. Watch out that your feet don't sweat in your dry socks in camp (unless you are using vapor barrier socks of course). (this happened to me spring skiing when it was really warm)
Hands? I use meteor mitts, or downhill mitts if it is really cold. My hands stay pretty warm, unless I am holding stuff (I tried to insulate stuff I hold) or have to expose my hand (meteor mitts shine here as the insert top pops off to expose your fingers which can be withdrawn into the lower part of the mitt between tasks, unlike half finger mitts which are also colder when closed since half of your fingers are not really together.
I too turn in if it gets too cold, but I like to take pictures of sunset, or even the moon on occasion.
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 20, 2016 9:25:16 GMT -8
Others will disagree, but consider a 4 season tent as the full nylon body that most of them have will block wind and drafts, in my experience, making a huge difference all around. Agreed. Tents with mesh interiors allow too much radiant heat to be lost in winter conditions. But, there a lot of ways to skin a cat. edit: in winter I prefer single wall tents (black diamond and bibler). Then again, my experience is mostly in the sierra, where humidity is not an issue.
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Post by dirthurts on Oct 20, 2016 18:28:08 GMT -8
edit: in winter I prefer single wall tents (black diamond and bibler). Then again, my experience is mostly in the sierra, where humidity is not an issue Lucky you! You get to save a LOT of weight. Sadly, single wall tents are a disaster in Tennessee, especially when it's between 30-45 degrees. Condensation just sticks like a magnet.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Oct 20, 2016 18:50:27 GMT -8
From my experience, humidity levels aside, just camping on snow/ice alone causes tricky condensation issues that can be difficult to manage. I use a tent footprint (Tyvek) which helps greatly. I also use a candle inside overnight to help keep condensation down. Lastly, I make sure my face is directly under the vent above so that my breath can escape.
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Post by ukpacker on Oct 21, 2016 4:50:24 GMT -8
A water bottle that you know will hold just boiled water without leaking and some kind of insulation sleeve to stop it losing heat too quickly.
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crawford
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Post by crawford on Oct 21, 2016 5:38:27 GMT -8
I've found one issue with the chemical handwarmers: as Zeke notes, they need oxygen to heat up. So I find that if I stuff them down my shoes, they cool down pretty fast, since they don't get a lot of fresh air down there.
There are some specifically designed as toe warmers. Check them out at most hunting or fishing sections. While they don't get as warm as the hand warmers, they do ok. Additionally, if you use a down overboot, you can slide a hand warmer in there to bring the interior temp up, instead of having it under your sock.
forgot to mention, don't hike with them on...they aren't comfortable for walking, just for sitting around camp
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Oct 21, 2016 6:42:22 GMT -8
In the arctic, I found I had to really shake them around a bit before they really warmed up good (You down with OCC?). I would use hand/foot warmers interchangeably. I didn't notice any difference between them. I'd be curious to find out if there really was.
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crawford
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Post by crawford on Oct 21, 2016 7:30:39 GMT -8
The toe warmers simply work with less O2, but they do not get quite as warm. They do last for quite a while. Haven't really looked at the chemical differences, but they are in a different shape so they fit along the ball of the foot.
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