Insulation...
Lots of layers keep you warm but also let you adjust to changes in temperatures and activity levels. I have an excellent selection of insulating layers thanks to my dad! I haven't tried this yet, but I think I can wear every single one of them on top of my long underwear all at the same time. There are two keys to making lots and lots of layers reasonable: some of the clothes need to be "too big" so they fit over other ones, and you need slippery layers between pile layers so that you can move. (Remember that Calvin & Hobbes cartoon where Calvin's mom bundled him up so much he was essentially a sphere that couldn't move? That's not good.)
Here's what I'm taking for my legs and torso:
I have two pairs of pile pants. The most important thing is that they do NOT have any zippers on the sides, not even for the pockets. I want to be able to wear them sleeping, and I hate having zippers dig into my thigh. If I'm camping out for seven weeks, I want to be comfortable at night! I'll bring a pair of very thin wind pants that are not in the picture because they are at work. They allow me to put on one pair of pile pants over the other and wind protection is always valuable. I'm also taking some insulated wind-proof pants with zippers down the sides. These are "too big" for me, so they will fit over the other pants. NSF will also provide some outer wind pants. I'll show you those when I get them in New Zealand.
For the top, I'm bringing my pink and purple reversible Patagonia wind proof pile sweater that has been my absolute favorite since my dad gave it to me in the 80's. It is "my size", the colors make me happy, and I can wear it under the other pile sweaters. The wind proof layer allows the pile layers to slide past each other. I have two pile tops with hoods, courtesy of my dad. He bought them at an outlet store and loved them so much he went back and bought a bunch more. He gave me the two size medium that he had. They are big for me, but very comfortable. The hoods keep cold drafts from going down your neck. He also loaned me his Sumner Designs wind shirt with an insulated hood. It has served him well on many an expedition! I can wear it over or between pile layers. NSF will provide a bright orange parka with hood for the outermost layer. Again, I'll show you that when I get it.
Dale recommended a down jacket and that's probably a good idea. However, I decided to go for the layers instead since that's what I have always liked. I'll let you know how it works out.
I'm really happy with what I have for my head and hands:
My dad loaned me a pile hood that tucks into a sweater or jacket. It's one of his favorites. I'm also taking two billed hats made of synthetic materials. They can be worn under hoods and they make the hood turn with your head. They also provide some shade from the sun and the extra UV radiation from the ozone hole. I have a thin wool hat that I can pull down over my eyes while I'm sleeping. That will help with warmth if I don't want my whole face in the sleeping bag and will also make it darker. (The sun will be up continuously starting October 20th.) I also liked the red pile hat. It fits really well, and I can see wearing all day every day.
For my hands, I went on a shopping spree at Outdoor Research. I bought gloves, thin mittens and insulated over mittens. And my dad loaned me a real prize: German Merino wool fingerless gloves of ancient origins. I can wear any two pairs at a time except the two pairs of gloves (unless I put the wool ones on the outside). The over mittens have an "idiot string" that you put around your wrist so that you don't loose them if you drop them or the wind blows hard when you've taken them off to do some work. Dad was going to sew some on for me and was thrilled when he saw that OR included his favorite mitten "accessory". NSF also provides mittens or gloves, but the ones I already have seem like the perfect combinations.
In writing this, I realized that I had not pulled out a scarf! (Writing a blog is useful!) Here's the one I'm taking:
It's pile, and Uncle Paul and Aunt Mary gave it to me years ago, I think when I was in graduate school. It matches my favorite Patagonia sweater although you can't tell that from the colors in the photos.
I expect to be warm enough!
Here's what I'm taking for my legs and torso:
For the top, I'm bringing my pink and purple reversible Patagonia wind proof pile sweater that has been my absolute favorite since my dad gave it to me in the 80's. It is "my size", the colors make me happy, and I can wear it under the other pile sweaters. The wind proof layer allows the pile layers to slide past each other. I have two pile tops with hoods, courtesy of my dad. He bought them at an outlet store and loved them so much he went back and bought a bunch more. He gave me the two size medium that he had. They are big for me, but very comfortable. The hoods keep cold drafts from going down your neck. He also loaned me his Sumner Designs wind shirt with an insulated hood. It has served him well on many an expedition! I can wear it over or between pile layers. NSF will provide a bright orange parka with hood for the outermost layer. Again, I'll show you that when I get it.
Dale recommended a down jacket and that's probably a good idea. However, I decided to go for the layers instead since that's what I have always liked. I'll let you know how it works out.
I'm really happy with what I have for my head and hands:
For my hands, I went on a shopping spree at Outdoor Research. I bought gloves, thin mittens and insulated over mittens. And my dad loaned me a real prize: German Merino wool fingerless gloves of ancient origins. I can wear any two pairs at a time except the two pairs of gloves (unless I put the wool ones on the outside). The over mittens have an "idiot string" that you put around your wrist so that you don't loose them if you drop them or the wind blows hard when you've taken them off to do some work. Dad was going to sew some on for me and was thrilled when he saw that OR included his favorite mitten "accessory". NSF also provides mittens or gloves, but the ones I already have seem like the perfect combinations.
In writing this, I realized that I had not pulled out a scarf! (Writing a blog is useful!) Here's the one I'm taking:
It's pile, and Uncle Paul and Aunt Mary gave it to me years ago, I think when I was in graduate school. It matches my favorite Patagonia sweater although you can't tell that from the colors in the photos.
I expect to be warm enough!
