Clothing for Winter Hiking & Camping

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Clothing for Winter Hiking Camping
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Cold, Hard Facts

• Cold weather exposure one of the leading causes
  of death for hikers in the U.S.
• About 600 people die every year from exposure.
• 20 of the deaths on Mt. Washington since 1849
  due to hypothermia.
• Just a few hours in freezing, windy weather can
  be fatal.
• Source Stevenson, Jason. Natural Born Killers.
  BACKPACKER. October 2008. pg. 32.

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Consequences Frostbite

• Damage caused to skin and appendages in extreme
  cold.
• Can set in as high as 32F.
• Blood vessels constrict to preserve core body
  temperature, resulting in blood loss to fingers,
  ears, nose, etc.
• Severe frostbite can lead to gangrene, amputation.

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Consequences Trench Foot

• Occurs when feet are cold and damp while wearing
  restrictive footwear.
• Can occur in as little as 12 hours.
• Feet become numb, turn red or blue, then swell.
• While treatable, can lead to open sores, fungal
  infection, gangrene, and possible amputation.

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Consequences Hypothermia

• Drop in core body temperature, causing metabolic
  shutdown.
• Can occur in temperatures as high as 50F.
• Results in confusion, muscle stiffness,
  unconsciousness, cardiac arrest.
• Know and look for symptoms while on a trip!

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1 Prevention Proper Clothing Footwear

• If you dress properly and prepare accordingly,
  you can safely enjoy the worst winter weather
  Mother Nature has to offer!

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Cotton What NOT to Wear

• Absorbs moisture, dries slowly.
• Loses all insulating properties when wet.
• Cotton is the work of the Devil - Motto of
  Appalachian Mountain Club
• Bottom Line Do not wear any cotton clothing on
  a winter trip. You will be cold, wet, miserable,
  and risking hypothermia in the process. So
  remember, dont be a Denim Dan!
• COTTON KILLS!!!

? Notice the jeans
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Boots

• Hiking or mountaineering boots are absolutely
  essential.
• Must be waterproof.
• Should have some sort of insulated lining to
  provide extra warmth.
• Look for boots that have crampon connections.
• If your boots are NOT waterproof Buy either
  Sno-Seal or NikWax and apply it to your boots.
  This can be beneficial even for GORE-TEX lined
  leather boots which are wearing out.
• PAMPER YOUR FEET!!!

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Socks

• Heavyweight wool socks are an absolute must!
• Provide superior warmth, cushioning.
• Retain insulating properties even when wet.
• Bring at least 2 extra pair on your trips.
  Changing your socks is the first step in keeping
  your feet dry.
• TIP Look for liner socks. They are made of
  thin synthetics or wool, and wick moisture from
  your feet. They also help to prevent hot spots
  and blisters.

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Gloves Mitts

• Layer Up! Wear fleece or wool liner gloves,
  followed by a waterproof/breathable outer shell
  glove or mitt.
• Sweat builds up easily inside your outer gloves,
  which freezes quickly once removed in cold
  weather. Only wear them when necessary.
• Mitts keep your fingers warmer by enclosing them
  in a single chamber, allowing heat to circulate
  better.

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Neck Headwear

• Wind-proof wool or fleece caps are good for
  retaining heat.
• Neck gaiters offer added protection.
• Balaclavas give full head, neck and face
  protection highly recommended for brutal cold
  and extreme weather.
• Headbands offer warmth for ears while allowing
  heat to vent from the top of your head.
• Headwear is versatile. Mix and match to meet the
  weather and your needs.
• STAY WARM! Most heat loss occurs from the neck
  up!

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Goggles Sunglasses

• The sun is closer to Earth during our winter,
  making radiation more intense.
• Glare on days with a clear sky can cause snow
  blindness.
• Sunglasses with side coverings offer solid UV
  protection on sunny days when traversing over
  snow.
• Goggles offer better visibility during winter
  storms and squalls, keeping snow out of your
  eyes.
• Look for sunglasses and goggles with 100 UV and
  IR protection.

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Layering System

• One of the most important aspects of outdoor
  activities in winter weather is the layering
  system, and it varies depending on your level of
  activity. A hunter in a tree stand all day in
  20F weather is going to be wearing more layers
  than a hiker heading up a mountain in the same
  temperature. Because a hikers exertion level is
  so much higher, too many layers can actually be a
  detriment.
• Heres what the pros wear

http//www.youtube.com/watch?v1JFVN2y4SDgeurlht
tp//marmot.com/fall_2008/mens/outerwear/shells/ex
um_jacket/info/videofeatureplayer_embedded
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Level 1 Base Layer

• Acts as a second layer of skin.
• Usually polyester, silk, or wool.
• Wicks moisture, dries quickly.
• 3 tiers lightweight, mid-weight, expedition
  weight.
• Lightweight is ideal for hiking due to better
  performance at high exertion levels in cool
  temperatures.
• Mid-weight better for colder conditions.
• Heaviest base layers only necessary when level of
  activity is low, or if the mercury really bottoms
  out.
• Look for features such as ¼ zip necks, and (for
  guys) a working fly.
• Recommendations Under Armour ColdGear,
  Patagonia Capilene, SmartWool.

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Level 2 Mid-Layer

• Provides added warmth to your base layer.
• Should be a synthetic, breathable, wicking,
  stretchy fabric such as polyester.
• Can be either a shirt or jacket.
• Jackets offer more venting options and easier
  on-off.
• Bottoms for this layer may not be necessary due
  to activity level.
• Look for features such as chest pockets, thumb
  holes, full-length zipper, etc.
• Recommendations EMS Power Stretch SYNC Jacket
  Tights.

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Level 3 Inner Insulating Layer

• Puffy synthetic insulation provides ample warmth,
  is highly water resistant, light weight, and
  compresses well.
• Ideal for inner layers where sweat is more
  prevalent.
• Fleece works well, but very bulky.
• Jacket should be versatile - usable as either a
  mid layer or outer layer.
• Pants only necessary in extreme cold or at camp.
• Look for features such as water wind
  resistance, pit zips, chest pockets, draw
  strings, full side zips (for pants), etc.
• Recommendations Marmot TR6 Jacket, Mountain
  Hardwear Compressor Pants.

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Level 4 Soft Shell

• Covers all other clothing in a wind-proof, water
  resistant layer.
• Appropriate for windy conditions, as well as
  light snowfall.
• Usually has fleece backing, providing a minimal
  amount of insulation.
• More breathable than hard shell.
• Pants work well over just your base layer.
• Look for features such as pit zips, chest
  pockets, draw strings, adjustable hood (for
  jacket), etc.
• When combined with levels 1 2, youre set for
  most weather.
• Recommendations Marmot Sharp Point Jacket
  Scree Pants.

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Level 5 Hard Shell

• This is what you wear WSHTF.
• Provides complete weather protection for your
  inner layers.
• Should be constructed of heavy duty nylon, with a
  high quality waterproof/breathable membrane.
• Jacket should have pit zips, and pants should
  have full-length side zips in order to increase
  ventilation and easily remove.
• Should provide NO insulation.
• Look for features such as chest pockets,
  suspenders (for pants), draw strings, etc.
• Recommendations Outdoor Research Mentor Jacket,
  Marmot Exum Pants.

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Level 6 Outer Insulating Layer

• Goose down jackets and parkas provide unheralded
  warmth, are ultralight, and compress well.
• Only necessary in extreme cold, or at camp when
  activity levels are low.
• Outer shell should be wind-proof and at least
  water resistant.
• Down retains zero warmth when wet, so reserve
  only for cold, dry places.
• Recommendation Marmot Ama Dablam Jacket.
• Unless youre climbing Everest, youll never
  need the full suit!

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Layer by the Weather
X needed O optional
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Wait a minutethis hit is EXPENSIVE!
Total MSRP for recommended clothing 1,762.00

• Outdoor clothing and equipment, especially
  high-end brands, can be ridiculously overpriced.
  College students normally cant afford most of
  this stuff.
• Sowhat is there to do?

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Tips for Getting Good Deals

• Subscribe to emailing lists of as many outdoor
  retailers as you can find. They frequently offer
  sales on high-end brands, as well as free
  shipping.
• Examples
• Backcountry.com (http//www.backcountry.com)
• Moosejaw Mountaineering (http//www.moosejaw.com)
• Eastern Mountain Sports (http//www.ems.com)
  EMS offers 15 off full price items to college
  students.
• Recreational Equipment, Inc. (http//www.rei.com)
• Campmor (http//www.campmor.com)
• Mountain Gear (http//www.mountaingear.com)
• Summit Hut (http//www.summithut.com)
• Altrec (http//www.altrec.com)
• Peak 62 (http//www.peak62.com)
• Travel Country (http//www.travelcountry.com)
• Check out the outlet sections of these Web sites.
  You can find some high-end clothing and gear for
  up to 50 off!
• Steepandcheep.com
• Steepandcheap is a Web site that sells one item
  at a time until its sold out, then brings in a
  new product. The good news? Everything is
  anywhere from 50 to 80 off!
• http//www.steepandcheap.com
• Look for similar clothing offered by brands other
  than the Big Four (The North Face, Marmot,
  Mountain Hardwear, Arcteryx). Clothing made by
  EMS, REI, L.L. Bean, and Cabelas is high quality
  at a lower price.
• Check out eBay you can find tons of new and
  used clothing for fractions of the full price.

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Things to Remember

• BE PREPARED!!!
• Only wear the layers that are necessary for YOU!
• Keep your extra layers on handweather in the
  mountains can change at any time!
• Have fun, and stay safe!!!