We have taught hundreds of people how to stay warm and comfortable in the winter. It is always a great pleasure to see people overcome anxieties about winter weather and learn that they can be comfortable and enjoy the out-of-doors any time of year. The rewards of winter are so great that once the skills of keeping warm are mastered, winter may become the season one looks forward to most.

There are no great secrets to keeping warm in the winter - just some time-honored traditions that work. The principles of staying warm described here are universal, but the specifics are individual, and everyone applies the principles of keeping warm differently. When you arrive for a trip not only do we go over your clothing, we also share with you how we have used the clothing you brought for staying warm. As always, please call us if you have any questions. Many times we can work with your current wardrobe so you do not have to spend a lot of money on new clothing. We also have rental clothing available.

Staying dry is the first principle of staying warm. One important step in keeping dry is to choose the right clothing, namely clothing made of fabric that does not hold moisture. Although fine for summer wear and indoor activities, cotton is not a winter fabric. Cotton is extremely absorbent and does not dry fast (just look at how long it takes your cotton bath towels to dry). Cotton is not to be worn outside in the winter. It is especially critical that socks and long underwear do not contain any cotton fibers.

Ideal winter clothing is made from synthetic fibers, wool or silk. Choosing synthetics is most important when selecting long underwear. Capilene, Thermax, Thermastat, Teckwick, or any name brand synthetic, will not hold water, and will in fact wick water away from you and still insulate when wet, even at subzero temperatures. Another option is wool, which also insulates even when wet, but does not dry as quickly as synthetics. One benefit of wool is that it does not melt from sparks around a toasty campfire.

The type of clothing you choose is not enough to guarantee that you stay dry. Also important is that you must avoid sweating during activities. You will learn to monitor how much insulation your body needs to stay warm, but without sweating. By using layers of clothing you can regulate the amount of insulation and thus regulate your body temperature to the "comfortably cool" state where you are comfortable, but not close to sweating. For example, during the day a musher may continually put on and take off a hat and outer vest as activity levels change. As soon as they stop for lunch, they'll don the vest and hat to trap the warm air they've generated.

When layering, it is very important that there be plenty of room between layers. Layers that are tight and constricting will constrict blood flow. Blood circulation is essential to staying warm. One pair of wool socks will keep your feet much warmer than two or three that cut off your circulation and do not allow space to trap air. The same concept applies to your hands. Try liner gloves inside mittens and make sure that there is no constriction and you can easily wiggle all your fingers.

Trapped air is what insulates. You want clothing with "loft" to hold air. Fabrics include down, synthetic fleece, and wool. This is another advantage to the layering system, as several layers will trap more air than a single thick one.

A tightly woven outer layer of nylon or other material will block the wind. It is important that this layer be a compromise between windproof and breathable since you want any perspiration to be able to escape. Many winter jackets have an integral wind shell. During the trip your most important item will be your wind shell, which rarely will you not be wearing. It is imperative that your wind shell has a hood for wind protection and snowfall.

Clothing can do two things for you. It can insulate you and it can keep you dry. It cannot create heat. Your body must do that. When participating in one of our trips, you will need to re-think your nutrition and food intake. First of all, you will be burning more calories than you normally do, so you must consume more calories. The most important meal is breakfast. We will be eating big breakfasts to stoke the furnace right from the start.

It is also important what you eat. In today's world, fat is considered bad for you only because often we do not burn it. On our winter trips, we are being active and fat consumed will be burned. Fat is the most important ingredient for keeping warm because it packs the longest lasting calories. You can go ahead and put butter on that toast, knowing it is not going to your middle but to your furnace.

Aside from food there is one crucial ingredient we all need to consume in order to keep warm and alert, and that is water. To keep hydrated you should drink 2 to 3 quarts of water daily. Small quantities of fluids consumed at intervals throughout the day is best.

Besides food, exercise also warms you. During the day we are active and easily keep warm. During lunch, however, a common mistake is to put on an extra layer after you have cooled off and then expect to become warm. The extra layer is at air temperature and needs to be warmed. Remember, clothing cannot produce heat. Some exercise, like jogging-in-place, is needed to warm you. Another strategy is to put on the extra layer right when we stop so the built up heat from activity warms up the additional layer.

The sun reflecting off the snow is exceedingly bright. To be comfortable on sunny days, try to wear a hat or hood with a brim and/or sunglasses. (Remember however, the most important factor in selecting a hat is its warmth.) Sunscreen on your face and lips is also strongly recommended.

Here is a quick overview of how I dress during a typical day. There are many individuals who dress differently, but this is what works for me.

I start the day with my winter boots (with removable liners) and just one pair of socks, long underwear top and bottom, a fleece shirt, wind shell on top and bottom, and an over-sized insulated vest over my wind shell. I have on a warm hat with a brim and gloves covered by mittens.

Once I start moving I quickly shed the vest (a good warming layer which I can remove without taking off my wind shell). If it is warm out, my hat and mittens soon follow the vest. During the day I wil l continually put on and take off my hat and vest as my activity level changes (for example, as soon as we stop for lunch I'll put on the vest).

If it is particularly cold or for the evenings when I am on a camping trip, the only additional clothing I may wear is a fleece parka and fleece pants.

• Two sets of long underwear. A synthetic like Thermax, polypropylene, or Capilene will work well. One pair, midweight recommended.
  
  
• Three sets of heavy synthetic or wool socks. These should be wool or synthetic. Liner socks are also nice (think of them as long underwear for your feet). In addition, if you tend to have sweaty feet, a vapor barrier sock (a sock made of waterproof material) will help keep your boots dry and your feet warm, especially on multi-day trips.
  
  
• Two winter hats. One hat should be thinner for warmer weather or higher activity levels. It is best for your other hat to be thicker and to have a windblock layer, like a nylon shell. A hat with a brim is also helpful.
  
  
• Gloves and mittens. It is important to have both gloves and mittens. If you just have gloves your hands will probably get cold. A couple of pairs of thin to mid-weight gloves like synthetic liner gloves, or fleece gloves will be nice for the times you need dexterity. A heavy warm pair of mittens is essential. The mittens should fit comfortably over the gloves. Mitten shells or over mitts (nylon or leather) are helpful. For camping trips, leather choppers are good for handling hot items around the fire.
  
  
• Fleece pants, wool pants or expedition weight bottoms. You know yourself better than we do. A warm-blooded person will only wear one pair, while a cold-blooded person may wear two or more pairs of pants. Use your judgment on how many you should bring.
  
  
• Two heavy-weight tops. This includes fleece shirts, wool sweaters or expedition weight layers. You should be able to wear both tops at the same time. Having layers of two different thicknesses is a good idea. A vest (synthetic or down) adds a great optional third layer without constricting the arms.
  
  
• A hooded winter jacket or parka. This can be a down parka or a fleece jacket. It is important that it has some loft to it and that it has a hood. If using a fleece jacket, it should fit under your wind shell without constriction.
  
  
• A hooded wind shell jacket. This is what you will be wearing non-stop during the day while you are active. You will want it to fit over all of your other clothing. Note that with a parka this wind shell is likely integrated into the jacket. Basically, whether you wear a layer system or a parka, your outside layer must be windproof and hooded.
  
  
• Wind pants (snow, ski pants). These serve the same function as the wind shell jacket. You do not want to wear fleece or wool pants as your outer layer because they will collect snow. Nylon pants will allow the snow to be brushed off. These pants can be insulated or un-insulated.
  
  
• Boots. Cold feet will ruin a trip, so having the right boots is extremely important. Winter boots need to have removable liners and insoles that can be pulled out to dry at night. (Alternatively, military Beta Boots, black or white, work great.) Bring an extra pair of liners if participating in a camping trip. Be aware that tight footwear means cold feet. Many people who experience cold feet wear too many socks or have boots that are too tight. Tight boots cut off the circulation, which leads to cold feet. Examples of good boots include Sorrels, LaCrosse Icemans, mukluks, etc. Winter boots with removable liners are sometimes referred to as "pack boots". Beware of winter boots that say they are good to -20F but do not have removable liners. They will not keep your feet warm even in the most moderate of trips.
  
  
• Sunglasses. Most people are familiar with the sun reflecting off water. Sun reflecting off snow is equally bright or brighter than the sun off water. That combined with a sun low in the sky in the north creates a need for eye protection.
  
  
• Water Bottle. Again, it is very important to stay hydrated. One-quart wide mouth Nalgene bottles work great. Small mouth bottle tops typically freeze quickly. You may wish to toss the bottle into a spare wool sock or two to prevent unwanted freezes.
  
  

Fleece refers to synthetic fleeces such as PolarTec or Turtle Fur.

1-2 pairs long underwear (tops and bottoms)
3 pairs heavy socks (not cotton)
1-2 pairs liner socks (optional)
2 warm winter hats
1-2 pairs liner gloves (should fit inside mittens)
1-2 pairs mittens
1 neck gaitor, scarf, ski mask or balaclava
1-2 pairs fleece or wool pants
2 warm synthetic fleece shirts or wool sweaters
1 parka or wind shell with extra insulating layers
1 pair wind pants
Wind pants
Boots with removable liners (bring extra liners for camping trips)


Sunglasses
Sunscreen / Lip protection SPF 30 or greater
Toiletries (Toothbrush, toothpaste, medications)
Water bottle (quart size; wide mouth won?Äôt freeze as fast)
Hand warmers / Foot warmers
Camera with extra batteries
Headlamp or Flashlight with spare batteries
Swimsuit (for possible sauna/hot tub/pool)
Towel
Lightweight shoes or slippers (for yurt or lodge)
Down or synthetic booties (for camping trips)
Duffle bag, suitcase or backpack to put it all in
Dog cookies (ie Milkbones)
Summer weight sleeping bag, optional for yurt trips, recommended for camping trips (compact 20F-30F bag to use as a liner bag inside our winter sleeping bags)

• Parka or Wind Jacket - $25
• Wind Pants - $20
• Boots - $25
• Entire package - $60

If you wish to rent clothing, please indicate your size on the Personal Information Form. If interested in rental clothing, we need to know which items and your clothing size at least three weeks prior to your arrival.

You may already have most of the needed items for your trip, or are borrowing from friends and family. However, there may be some items you will want to purchase. We have had good luck buying winter boots and clothing from the following companies.

Northern Outfitters Northernoutfitters.com 800-944-9276 (very warm clothing)	Sierra Trading Post Sierratradingpost.com 800-713-4534 (factory seconds and discontinued items)
Cabela's Cabelas.com 800-237-4444 (good source for everything including boots)	Zero Below Zero-below.com 920-864-7147 (parkas and bibs)
Campmor Campmor.com 888-226-7667 (everything)

To make your next adventure come true call today!
1-800-701-6238 or e-mail us.