Winter Skills Workshop – January 28-29 Hi Everyone, Listed below is a minimum gear list. I tried to be as broad as possible because I know depending on if you are a “warm-blooded” person or not, this will affect what sort of layers you will need. In general, think of your clothing layers in three categories: wicking, insulating, and shell. For the most part everyone’s wicking, and shell layers will be comparable. The variety in this system is in the insulation category. Depending on if you are a “warm-blooded” person or not, you will need more or less in the insulation category. Some general rules to follow when investing in gear: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Absolutely no cotton; this includes your underpants and bras You get what you pay for; if you buy poor quality gear = you will be cold Down is warmer that synthetic materials Synthetic materials retain their insulation properties when wet, down does NOT
Note: The “examples” listed below are products that I have used and been very happy with but by no means are these, the only options. Use these, example as a benchmark for quality. Gear List Head - Wool or fleece hat - balaklava Hands - liner gloves - mitts ( Example: Black Diamond’s Mercury or Absolute Mitt) Chest - Wicking baselayler - Insulating midweight layers - Parka ( Example: Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Hooded Down Jacket) o Note: recommended jacket no-longer made but anything similar to this is fine, must have hood) Legs - Wicking baselayer - Insulating midweight layer - Shell Pants Feet - 1 pair liner socks - 2 pairs Heavy weight sock ( Example: smartwool mountaineer sock) - Winter boots or Mukluks - Down booties ( Example: western mountaineering)
Sleeping System
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Sleeping bag with rating down to -10 degrees ¾ Realize that a bag’s temperature rating is for when it is brand new and will instantly loose some of it’s insulation properties when you start to use it ¾ If you sleep cold, I would suggest a bag rated to -15 to -25 degrees - Closed Cell Sleeping pad (Example: Therm-a-rest Z Lite pad) - Open Cell Sleeping Pad (Example: Therm-a-rest ProLite Plus or Trail-Pro ( both have women’s versions) - Sleeping bag stuff sac - (optional) Sleeping bag fleece liner - Ground sheet Miscellaneous: - Headlamp ( make sure you have one that performs at low temperatures and is compatible with lithium batteries; this type of battery has a better battery life in the cold ) - lip balm - eating utensils ( bowl and spoon) - two Nalgenes - plastic coffee mug - toiletries
If you have questions on any gear or general questions about the workshop please feel free to ask ( hannah@ercsv.org). I am also thinking of having an optional gear day that you can bring in your equipment to have it checked out, if you would like, before the actual camp-out. I will email out the exact date this will happen. Thanks, Hannah Beane