FOUR LAYERS OF PERSONAL CLOTHING FOR EXTREME COLD WEATHER

The goal is to maintain a balance – not to get too cold but not so hot you sweat. You start out with multiple layers and remove them if you are warm to avoid getting too cold with too little on; if you start out with too little on and get real cold, you contain that cold as you add more layers (too late) which can result in hyperthermia.

BASE LAYER (FOR MOISTURE MANAGEMENT – TO WICK SWEAT OFF SKIN): 

• LONG UNDERWEAR, full set of tops and bottoms of breathable, light-weigh long underwear using synthetic fibers (polypropylene), not cotton that gets wet. 

• A SECOND PAIR OF HEAVIER LONG UNDERWEAR

• A FEW LIGHT WEIGHT T-SHIRTS BREATHABLE & QUICK DRYING, NOT COTTON

MIDDLE LAYER  (FOR INSULATION)

• LIGHT WEIGHT LONG SLEEVES AND TURTLENECKS AND FLANNEL SHIRTS 

• DURABLE PANTS THAT ARE BREATHABLE AND QUICK DRYING

•  A DOWN VEST OR WOOL SWEATER

FURTHER INSULATING LAYER

• A HEAVY WEIGHT FLEECE JACKET OR SIMILAR JACKET SUCH AS A SYNTHETIC-INSULATED JACKET WHICH RETAIN INSULATION WHEN DAMP (UNLIKE DOWN INSULATED JACKET)

WIND/RAIN/SNOW PROOF OUTER SHELL

•  HIGH QUALITY, BREATHABLE AND LIGHT WEIGHT RAIN GEAR (TOP WITH HOOD AND BOTTOM) - PLASTIC PONCHOS OR VINYL RAIN SUITS TEAR EASILY AND ARE NOT RECOMMENDED

• WATERPROOF SHOES (DUCK BOOTS WITH RUBBER BOTTOM AND LEATHER UPPER) AND/OR WATERPROOF HIKING SHOES WITH GOOD SUPPORT, SYNTHETIC LINERS, AND LIGHT WEIGHT WOOL SOCKS OR THERMAX SOCKS

• SEVERAL PAIR OF HEAVY WOOL SOCKS

COLD WEATHER ACCESSORIES

• FLEECE PILE-LINED GLOVES WITH POLYPRO GLOVE LINERS AND HANDWARMERS (CHEMICAL HEAT PACKS)

• BALACLAVA SKI MASK FOR FACE AND NECK GAITER (WRAP)

• WARM STOCKING/WOOL HAT          

NON CLOTHING ESSENTIALS THAT YOU SHOULD BRING:

• DAY PACK

• WATER BOTTLE

• LIMITED PERSONAL TOILETRIES          

OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED DEPENDING ON YOUR NEEDS

• BINOCULARS (WATERPROOF ARE BEST DUE TO RAIN/SNOW)

• SUNGLASSES (WITH RETAINER STRAP)

• POCKET KNIFE OR MULTI-TOOL

• HIGH-SPF SUNBLOCK

• LIP BALM

• EAR PLUGS

• PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT (WITH MOTION SICKNESS PILLS)

• ZIPLOC PLASTIC BAGS TO KEEP THINGS DRY

PROVIDED BY INTERNATIONAL CREATURE SOCIETY:

• FIRST AID KIT

• FLARES

• TOW CABLE