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I used to ski to work in -40 or lower. The thing I took away from that experience is a realization that the main factor in survival is your gear. The differen
by alex_young 11y ago
I used to ski to work in -40 or lower.
The thing I took away from that experience is a realization that the main factor in survival is your gear.
The difference between not freezing at -10F and the same at -40 is a layer of insulation.
- malandrew 11y agoWould love to hear more detail about what you learned about gear in that environment.
- grecy 11y agoA buddy of mine taught my during my first fall/winter in the Yukon, I was lucky to get a great crash course from him. Don't wear anything made of cotton - it actually makes you feel colder. Throw it all out. Wear Marino wool against your skin. Wear multiple layers like base, mid, outer, possibly even one more when it's cold. Spend big bucks on your base layer and outer layer. Carry multiple pairs of gloves. After a day of activities, change all your clothes. They're damp and you don't know it. When it's cold, don't put your bare hands on anything - the heat will be sucked out of them and it can take hours to nurse them back to good again. Always, always, always carry a thermos of hot liquid, bomb-proof fire starting kit, and a spare change of clothes. When it's that cold, things go wrong, and you must be ready. My friend does this when only going 10 minutes from his own house. At -40C, you won't be OK for the ten minutes if you get wet or something else serious happens.
- malandrew 11y agoWhat would you look for in your base and outer layers?