Winter Clothing

1
Winter Clothing

• Winter School 2002

2
Why Is Clothing an Issue?

• Humans cant normally survive in low temperatures
• Weather in the mountains is particularly fickle
• Temperature
• Precipitation
• Wind
• Your activity level varies throughout the day
• Active
• Resting
• Sleeping

3
Your Clothing Must

• Keep trapped warm air next to you
• Protect you from wind and precipitation
• Keep you as dry as possible (wicking)
• Be a flexible layering system
• Keep you warm even when wet

4
Cotton Kills

• Absorbs water like a sponge
• Water is slow to evaporate
• Fibers shrink when wet ability to trap air and
  thus insulate is lost
• Poor wind protection

5
Cotton Kills (Part II)
Steve Howard, LANL
6
Clothing must be Versatile!

• Dress like an onion

YOU
Wicking Layer
Warm
Insulating Layer
Shell Layer
Cold
7
Wicking Layer

• Moves moisture away from skin
• Silk
• Polypropylene (Cool-Max, Capilene)
• Polyester
• Spandex, Lycra
• Expensive Less smelly...

8
Insulating Layer

• Think volume- many thin layers
• Fleece - light, water resistant, medium bulk
• Wool - bulky, scratchy, water resistant, heavy
• Down - light, compressible, NOT water-resistant

9
Shell Layer

• Wind and/or Water Barrier
• Nylon
• Coated nylon
• Gore-Tex (or other spinoff DWR products)

10
Accessories

• Little Stuff That Matters
• Mittens Gloves (layering)
• Hats, balaclavas, neck gaiters
• Socks (single vs. two layer)
• Gaiters
• Goggles

11
Footwear

• Mouse boots
• Sorels or Kamiks
• Leather mountaineering boots
• Plastic boots

You will encounter ankle deep mud, slush, and
water. Sneakers and Gore-Tex hiking boots dont
cut it.
12

• Clothing is not something MITOC rents, so youll
  have to get it on your own.
• Get items that fit and will last. They can be
  found cheaply, if you look.
• Check out the MITOC Links page for info on web
  sites and local stores.