Transcript Winter Clothing

Winter Clothing
Winter School 2002
Why Is Clothing an Issue?
• Humans can’t 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
Your Clothing Must…
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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
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
Cotton Kills (Part II)
Steve Howard, LANL
Clothing must be Versatile!
• Dress like an onion
YOU
Wicking
Layer
Warm
Cold
Insulating
Layer
Shell
Layer
Wicking Layer
Moves moisture away from skin
• Silk
• Polypropylene (Cool-Max,
Capilene)
• Polyester
• Spandex, Lycra
Expensive = Less smelly...
Insulating Layer
Think volume- many thin layers
• Fleece - light, water resistant, medium bulk
• Wool - bulky, scratchy, water resistant,
heavy
• Down - light, compressible, NOT waterresistant
Shell Layer
Wind and/or Water Barrier
• Nylon
• Coated nylon
• Gore-Tex (or other spinoff DWR
products)
Accessories
Little Stuff That Matters
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Mittens & Gloves (layering)
Hats, balaclavas, neck gaiters
Socks (single vs. two layer)
Gaiters
Goggles
Footwear
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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 don’t cut it.
$$$$$
• Clothing is not something MITOC rents, so
you’ll 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.