tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post2854203631343406959..comments2023-12-28T21:22:10.935-07:00Comments on Jill Outside: A symphony of cold IIJill Homerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-60226188582905817972012-01-23T11:35:16.314-07:002012-01-23T11:35:16.314-07:00Beat,
In Michigan, I don't experience the extr...Beat,<br />In Michigan, I don't experience the extreme cold you guys face, but I ride my bike daily throughout the winter and therefore need some gear similar to yours. <br />I need something to allow me to breathe pre-warmed air, but has free exhalation. Wearing a simple cloth balaclava is no good because I end up waterboarding myself with the wet or frozen cloth over my mouth! The heavy breathing on the bike renders unusable many items that would otherwise be OK in lower-intensity activities.<br />I was wondering about your mask with the cup over the mouth area - it appears to be the Talus ColdAvenger. My wife bought one of those for me, but I have yet to use it. I've read many bad reviews. How do you like it? Do you use the foam nose bridge strip? Do the vent slots freeze up?<br />Thanks in advance. I love the blog and especially the photos.The Robot Engineerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10180476888613381299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-72840379057846566022012-01-07T12:56:43.135-07:002012-01-07T12:56:43.135-07:00I wasn't sure if either of you are using a vap...I wasn't sure if either of you are using a vapor barrier shirt / pants over top of your thin poly and underneath more puffy insulation? My experience in winter trips (in far milder temperatures in Maine) are that I arrive soaked from perspiration, despite the use of fleece and quick drying fabrics. It's both uncomfortable and tiring at the end of the day to be dealing with wet clothing that needs to be removed quickly in order to set up an evening camp. My usual strategy is to always have all garments with full zips that allow ventilation, but the sweat still accumulates after a few hours.Dougnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-25178047385747022712012-01-06T10:03:59.929-07:002012-01-06T10:03:59.929-07:00Beat makes a good point, but I believe the tempera...Beat makes a good point, but I believe the temperature that can harm you lungs is much higher then -40. In cross country skiing anything below -5 they cancel the race. Below this temp I make sure to wear something over my face.<br /><br />Jill your writing is so great!! When I ski to these places it is amazing but you make me enjoy them even more when I read of your adventures.Russp17https://www.blogger.com/profile/18315892115862850155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-59028042342059332702012-01-06T04:56:05.968-07:002012-01-06T04:56:05.968-07:00Thanks for the information on the clothing. I hav...Thanks for the information on the clothing. I have a hard enough time figuring out what to wear when I go out on a run when its 20deg above freezing, especially when it is windy.Joe Hesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08203959969223250556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-2456636773913734932012-01-05T21:35:57.360-07:002012-01-05T21:35:57.360-07:00I've been reading your blog for number of year...I've been reading your blog for number of years. I forgot how much I really enjoy your snow pictures. I've never been to Alaska and always enjoy seeing it thru your lens. <br /><br />Really enjoying "armchair" traveling with you and Beat this year (or last year?!). <br /><br />Wishing you both the best for 2012.Mindy (Oregon)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-43168722489545850922012-01-05T21:23:17.938-07:002012-01-05T21:23:17.938-07:00Such descriptive and fascinating writing! You are ...Such descriptive and fascinating writing! You are the best writer I've ever read. A true pro.Tom Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-17305485447837937762012-01-05T17:02:33.844-07:002012-01-05T17:02:33.844-07:00Beat,
Thanks for the info! I've never tried t...Beat,<br />Thanks for the info! I've never tried these. Usually I layer various thickness Smartwool socks and that works pretty well. I have a neoprene face mask that I layer with a fleece neck gaiter outside for anything below -30. Keeps my breath warm and vents a bunch of the exhaled air straight out instead of up to my eyes. It actually looks sort of similar to the one you are wearing.<br /><br />I also struggle to stay dry because I sweat a lot too. I usually go really heavy on the mittens and lighter on the shirts and I'm good.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01212228308225991239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-6900072757157607882012-01-05T16:29:49.988-07:002012-01-05T16:29:49.988-07:00Breathing unobstructed air is painful, and at temp...Breathing unobstructed air is painful, and at temperatures below -40 can start to damage your throat and lungs (possibly above as well, or at least you'll end up coughing like you smoked a couple of packs!). I actually got a face mask which you can see me wear which mixes inhaled and exhaled air (and thus significantly increases the air temperature) and prevents this - it also directs the air to the front, preventing fogged goggles. However, I found it more comfortable to use my fleece balaclava, which tends to form an iced up breathing chamber that has very much the same effect. It's just easier to vent that way. Also, when there's not much wind, the exhaled air forms a nice warm air blanket for your face and eyes, providing significant protection (at the cost of ice buildup). <br />I'm still gonna bring the mask for windy conditions, but one then has to protect the exposed skin between the goggles and that mask somehow (like with tape or vaseline).<br /><br />Cheers, BeatBeatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-62028999838148163832012-01-05T14:54:28.391-07:002012-01-05T14:54:28.391-07:00Anon — actually that's a good question. The ic...Anon — actually that's a good question. The ice-lashes do obstruct my vision. I'd compare it to looking at the world through a frosty tree branch. And it's thick ice; I can't pull it off without ripping out eyelashes. I sometimes used my hands to try to thaw my eyelashes, but my fingers usually became numb before I could melt all the ice. <br /><br />Goggles prevent this but it's difficult to keep those from icing up completely, especially when I wear my balaclava over my mouth the way I do. I do that so I can breathe warm, moist, recirculated air. This not only keeps my lungs happy but also warms my entire face. The drawback is the ice buildup on my facial hair. I actually got a tiny bit of frostnip from those ice-eyebrows. My skin still stings a bit.Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-31862740985345739562012-01-05T14:17:06.047-07:002012-01-05T14:17:06.047-07:00Ok, so this may sound like a dumb question, but he...Ok, so this may sound like a dumb question, but here it is: How are you able to SEE with ice like that on your lashes? Wipe it off frequently?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-27778579321561455052012-01-05T14:17:04.305-07:002012-01-05T14:17:04.305-07:00Jill, you and Beat should see (if you already have...Jill, you and Beat should see (if you already haven't) about getting sponsored by some outdoor equipment/clothing companies to try out and rate/write about their stuff. Sheesh...what you do for fun...I'm chilled just LOOKING at your pics! But you do bring me back to my Montana winter days...the squeak of my boots w/ each step on the ultra-dry/cold snow...Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10517087265569164625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-40225515197223665342012-01-05T13:45:48.919-07:002012-01-05T13:45:48.919-07:00Wow, beautiful! That is one epic way to spend new ...Wow, beautiful! That is one epic way to spend new year. Every time I read your posts it makes me want to get outside and do something, heres hoping I manage to do a bit more of that this year.<br /><br />Also, while I think about it-do you ship your books to the UK?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />JuliaGreenCoffeePothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11836114276004556062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-47878556970464838882012-01-05T11:00:25.423-07:002012-01-05T11:00:25.423-07:00Actually they are NOT neoprene socks. I dislike ne...Actually they are NOT neoprene socks. I dislike neoprene a lot (especially socks) - it gets very wet and absorbs a lot of moisture and then is very cold. If you're not sweating I presume it's fine, but Ieverytime I used neoprene in a running situation I found the performance absolutely abysmal - though your mileage may vary, as always. Neoprene works in water because it keeps the moisture at a particular temperature and pretty much works as a "wet insulation" I think, but in the very cold it's very bad if it's wet. For an outer insulation, like an overboot, it's fine I think, since you don't get in contact with it.<br /><br />There are special socks from RBH Designs and some other manufacturers. They're basically thin fleece layers lined to a non-breathable membrane. Some people also use stuff sacks to achieve the same result, though they may induce a lot of slippage. VB clothing is based on the principle that evaporation cools, and thus you don't want any breathability at all. Also you notice right away when you sweat, which is something you don't want at all. The result is often a clammy and uncomfortable feel, however - it stays clammy instead of freezing cold. The other big point of VB is that it keeps your sweat from making the insulation wet - which is huge. Extreme cold is definitely different than just cold, because moisture really doesn't go anywhere before freezing, so anything breathable doesn't actually work.<br /><br />I only use VB layers when regular layers fail because I sweat so much. Instead, I generally try to run cool, which is a bit dicey. During the -35F run, I only had a thin baselayer, a thin windshirt and my gore-tex jacket as layers on my body. I was chilled, but I started out with a primaloft layer and that got me sweating right away ... I probably could have done with just one VB shirt and the jacket as well.Beatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-41152031549065634352012-01-05T10:05:15.620-07:002012-01-05T10:05:15.620-07:00Love the photos! I do have a question with footwea...Love the photos! I do have a question with footwear: you mean neoprene socks when you say "Vapor barrier socks" right? <br /><br />I like the paragraph about the bush Alaskans. Historically, most people that stayed outside that long at -35 were taken care of by evolution; so someone that does it for recreation is looked as death(literally) crazy.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01212228308225991239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-33280862226356984702012-01-05T09:53:36.256-07:002012-01-05T09:53:36.256-07:00Such a great piece of writing. reads like a novel ...Such a great piece of writing. reads like a novel and I found myself willing you on and wondering what you were doing next.<br /><br />Rest assured that doesn't happen with all blogs i read!<br /><br />Brilliant.jason @ motorsport sensorshttp://www.datrontechnology.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-16802937839762370822012-01-05T09:49:33.165-07:002012-01-05T09:49:33.165-07:00I loved your description of the sun rising/setting...I loved your description of the sun rising/setting in Alaska as a visit from an old friend you no longer knew well. Great post!Karennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-69586900159938170352012-01-05T09:43:23.596-07:002012-01-05T09:43:23.596-07:00Wow, that's COLD. Smart move on taking the cab...Wow, that's COLD. Smart move on taking the cabin.Fonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04504462046067745769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-9534648425509965732012-01-05T08:31:03.613-07:002012-01-05T08:31:03.613-07:00That was nice of them to heat the cabin for you. ...That was nice of them to heat the cabin for you. Pretty blue pictures!Dannihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02201053516148787578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-89977631780157851642012-01-05T06:53:22.171-07:002012-01-05T06:53:22.171-07:00Awesome! The warm cabin sounds soooo nice!Awesome! The warm cabin sounds soooo nice!Cyclin' Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12055590629075632638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-50783815463747107032012-01-05T05:45:58.357-07:002012-01-05T05:45:58.357-07:00I just picked up a copy of Unbreakable: Western St...I just picked up a copy of Unbreakable: Western States 100 on DVD after seeing it in the latest Runner's World. I think your ex, Geoff, is in it. Kind of excited to watch it!!!Cyclin' Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12055590629075632638noreply@blogger.com