Christmas Post

Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

I will not post another article until the fourth of January.

Enjoy the time off.


K

Insulation; The Thermostat for Your Own Personal Bubble

• A crash course in layering and the options that you have to choose from. 

                                                                                                      

The Goal 

The idea behind any system of layering is to move moisture away from the body, and keep the water and wind out. Advancements in fabrics, materials and weaves have put more options out on the market for the consumer to choose from. Think of layering as managing your own personal bubble. You need to know what works best for you. When you understand how your layers function, and what they can do for you, it opens up all seasons for you to explore. 

Three Categories

The three basic layers are:

• The Base Layer
• The layer closest to the skin that wicks moisture. It should be the most comfortable and is usable year around. It is the first order of business for your climate controlled environment. 
• Insulation 
• It's sole reason for existence is to provide warmth. Depending on how 'heavy' the layer is determines the warmth provided. This is also another important barrier that keeps the wind out but lets the moisture out, taking it from the base layer and moving it outside the bubble
• The Shell 
• In the simplest terms a shell is the wall of the micro-environment. It is there to keep the elements out, the heat in, and move all moisture from inside to the outside. Depending on the environment it can be a soft-shell or a hard-shell, if it keeps the elements out then it is doing its job. 

Mid-Layer Options 

When you are go outside in the mountains it is important to keep yourself warm. You do that by not sweating out our layers. Starting with a good base layer, and finishing with a good outer shell. These are just a few examples of the options you have to choose from.

• Pull Overs
• A light synthetic blend long-sleeved shirt, that is normal a 1/4 zip for some ventilation. It is designed to be light weight, and provides a little bit of warmth when you are expelling large amounts of energy. They come in varying thicknesses and are an inexpensive lightweight layer.
• Fleece 
• Fleece is a heavier version of the pull over, and shares many of the same features. Fleece does tend to be found in jacket from for ease of use. This is a good second layer for any endeavor where snow is on the ground. The wonderful thing about fleece is that it will still provide insulation even when it gets wet. It dries quickly and keeps the wearer warm. 

• Loft
• Is the amount of air that an insulator 'captures'. The higher the fill power, the warmer the jacket. The trick is finding a coat that will keep you warm while you aren't sitting still, but breath well enough that you don't over heat when you moving.

• Down
• Is made from the goose feathers, more accurately the soft stuff beneath the feathers, creating fill powers from 300 fill all the way up to 900 fill. The lower the number, the lower quality of down that is in the garment. Higher fills come from mature geese, whereas lower fills come from younger geese. The higher the number and the thicker the jacket, the more expensive the product.
• Synthetic 
• Is similar to down in concept, where the goal is to capture air. However, science has not yet been able to create an equal to mother natures insulator. It is less expensive, but not as warm. It's a trade off. 

Pro's and Cons

Down is warmer, lighter, and more compressible. While synthetic is getting close to matching the warmth of down, it's not there yet. What synthetic has going for it is it will keep the wearer warm even if it is wet. If a down jacket gets wet, game over. It doesn't have any loft because the water is now occupying the space between the feathers. No loft, no warmth. Synthetic jackets will stay warm and dry quickly. If you are going somewhere that water is present, either in rain or heavy snow, bring synthetic. If the environment will be cold and little to no moisture that accumulates, down is what you want. Case and point, Mt. Everest. Its high, and cold, but the snow that falls there is light, and won't melt onto the garment. Down is the way to go. You can brush the snow off the jacket and not compromise the properties of the loft. Any where that moisture will accumulate synthetic is the layer to have. 

Staying Warm Without the 'Down' Payment 

The secret to being comfortable in the mountains is not carrying too much but having enough to stay warm. If you want more control over your personal bubble the way to go is layering. For example, if it is a high of 5 degrees, and you plan on being on the move, then you could bring one down jacket, or you could bring a fleece and a synthetic layer. Both will keep you warm, but with the second option, you have way more control over your internal temperature. The goal is to keep your body from perspiring, but also provides enough warmth when you rest. If you only have a down jacket the only thing that you can do is unzip it, if that doesn't work you have to take it off. Where you are in danger of become cold as you have nothing but your base layer on. If were wearing a synthetic jacket with a fleece beneath it, you could remove the jacket and zip the fleece up and be at a happy medium. Either option will cost about the same, all in for less then $300, but the layers will give you more control over your bubble.



Final Thoughts

Some things to consider when you are looking at either jacket are: hoods, sleeve cut/sleeve length, and garment length. If you plan to wear this under your shell, you probably don't want a hood as it will be uncomfortable, it should fit nicely under the shell. If you plan on wearing this coat as your outer layer then a hood and longer cut makes sense. Its all up to you and what you want to do with it. Having a good mid layer is a very important step to being safe and comfortable in the mountains. 

Check it out.



K

Did you Finish the Reading?

• "Any fool can know. The point is to understand"

 - Albert Einstein

Footwork 

• 11% of mountaineering accidents were caused by inadequate equipment/clothing
• 15% of mountaineering injuries were caused by the party exceeding its abilities

The reason that I will write seemingly endless amounts of posts on layering is because layering is important. Layering can make or break a trip. If you have the right layering system, there should be no weather you can't withstand, yet if your system is flawed the chances of someone getting hurt rockets upward. Layering is similar to footwork: it will take practice, there will be mistakes made, and it will take time, but eventually it will become second nature. If there is one place on the mountain where people get in trouble is with layering. Technology has simplified everything in the process, but has only complicated the apparel of the mountains. There are so many garments to try and hone in on, from little tiny differences in pocket placement, to fabric cut and breathablility. The only way to know what works and what doesn't is to get out and use different pieces and see what works and what doesn't. If you have friends willing to lend you their layers, take different things out and layer while out in the elements. Note features you like, and features you don't. Somewhere out there is the ideal layer for you but if you haven't figured out what you want and don't want you could end up with multiple copies of the same layer, none of which really do what you want.


Site for Percentages
Pie Chart

The Mentality 

You either:

• Carry it all.
• Every layer you have for every possible weather scenario.

OR

• Carry just enough.
• Count on the correct weather forecast and be in and out before things get out of hand.

As you spend more time in the mountains you will discover which camp you tend to spend the most time in. That will help you decide what layers to bring on your trips, and what genre to pay attention to when you buy new equipment. This will also be a good clue as to how you see and treat the mountains when you spend time in them. Do you look at the weather and say 'oh we'll be fine', or do you think 'maybe I should take my rain pants'. Neither approach is bad, you should just be aware of which group you tend to be in, for your safety, and the safety of those on the trail with you.

Choosing the Right Layers

I have almost every type of layer imaginable and struggle to choose the right layer. I am constantly pulling gear out of my bag that I didn't use. If you can choose the right layers on the slopes then you will be in good shape when it deciding what to bring on bigger days. 

If you find yourself with the ability to choose from an arsenal of equipment go with your gut feeling.

No moisture, high of 20?

Soft shell weather, hands down, every time.

My Patagonia for instance. 

That's what I brought, and my fleece, and my hardshell. I brought them because I was nervous. I didn't trust myself to make the right call and stick with it.

As with anything else in life learning what to take and what not to take will be a longer process then expected, keep trying. Listen to what other people have to say, there are some stories that you want to be apart of, a story where they didn't bring enough layers is not among them. You'll will save a lot of trouble if you take the time to listen to what other people have to say, do some digging of your own and then work patiently as you hone your style through trial and error.

The Bottom Line

• Choosing the correct gear that you will use in multiple seasons is essential. 
• When you have multiple pieces to choose from go with your gut feel,
• If you HAVE TO bring an extra layer, make it light and compressible. 
• Your gear selection should never distract from your time in the mountains
• In time you will hone your ability to choose which layers to carry and which to leave behind.

Your gear should enhance your time in the mountains. It should keep you warm, dry, and comfortable. If it happens to look wired that is mountain swag, wear it proudly. Ask questions, look under the rocks no one else does, be patient, and when you see what you want, pull the trigger.

Another Distraction.


K

Choosing the Right Winter Shell

• Winter can be a great time to be out in the mountains, but the problem is staying warm. Finding the right jacket to be a winter companion is the best and easiest way to be comfortable while enjoying winters influence.

Deciding What is Realistic

Its easy to say to yourself 'I need a good winter coat', and go and buy what you think is the perfect jacket. It turns out to not be perfect. So you write the company that made it because you dropped $200 to get this coat that doesn't work, and they turn you down. 'Ok,' you say to yourself 'what can I do so I don't make that mistake again'. First decide what you want your coat to do for you. Does it need to be water proof or water resistant, do you want to use it in the summer, does it need to be pack-able, etc. Next, write down a financial number that you will stick to. I am here to tell you can find a coat that will do everything that you want that is within your budget. When you can find the coat that you wanted, and that was within your budget, there is really no down side.

Using Your Resources 

Before you invest in a winter coat it is best to look around at the gear you already have, most importantly, the gloves you have. Are they designed to be worn over the cuff or under? That is important because it will help you look for the best cut for you jacket. Something to check off, if you want a jacket that will work in the summer and winter and you want it to be over the cuff, you are looking at a hardshell. If you have an under the cuff glove, commonly known as a free ride glove, then you are looking at an over the cuff jacket, could be a hardshell, could be a soft shell. A soft shell is any layer that is not water proof. Another thing to keep in mind is the length of the garment, how far below your waist line do you want. Most jackets that are designed specifically for skiing will fall just below the waist line but they will have a powder skirt. A powder skirt is a band of elastic normally a couple inches wide that snaps closed inside the garment. It sits over your snow pants and keeps snow from falling down inside. It eliminates the need for a parka. Most three ply shells will have a longer cut of fabric on the back to make it harness compatible and it keeps the rain out in the summer, and snow out in the winter.

Shell Diagram.


The Catch

No jacket is perfect. You will not be able to find a one and done jacket. You can find a coat that works for most of your needs, but not all the time. Go into this hunt with realistic expectations, The rest of this article will focus on a couple of options that could work. There is no wrong way to choose a winter coat so long as it does what you want it to.

A Resort Coat 

Most major outdoor companies make a ski coat, A shell that has either insulation attached or a zip in fleece. Pieces like these are best suited for groomed trails where running water is close at hand. They are not suited for more then a few hours out in the real elements. You'll find  these pieces just about every where, they are comfortable, warm, well vented, and durable. The style of your gloves wont matter as the coat will work with both.


The Alternative 

The more expensive, and better option if you will be outside all  year, is a two or three ply hard-shell. A hard-shell is a windproof water proof jacket. Most companies use a three ply fabric, be it Gore-Tex or the companies on system. The layer closest to you skin wicks sweat away from the body, while the outer two repel wind and water. The pros of a hard-shell are; you wont have to buy a rain coat, or a wind layer, and a good hard-shell will last for decades if it is maintained correctly. Some things to consider are there will be no insulation inside a hard shell. If you have the layers already in your possession, then a hard-shell makes sense. A hard-shell will not provide warmth, it will keep the wind and water out. When you put on a hard-shell it will feel as if there were no wind and no moisture. Planning a head will be important. Anything above 10 degrees and the shell will be relatively comfortable. Anything colder then that you will need something warm beneath it to keep you warm. With that in mind you may decide to buy a rain jacket and a winter jacket if you only get outside 5 or 6 times a year. The choice is yours. There is no wrong system of layering as long as the layers you choose do what you want them too. 

Personal Style 

There are functional features and cool features. Pit zips, functional, removable hood, cool.  A company shell that they have had forever, functional. If it wasn't functional they wouldn't keep making it. A pro-shell, cool. Even the hard core outdoors men or women don't need a companies pro-shell. A burly hard-shell will do. A pro-shell is designed for expeditions and the harshest conditions on the planet. It will function poorly for the average persons needs. The people that have them tend to be athletes that were given the shell or bought it with pro-deals. 

Wait a couple years, and the price will drop then take a look at the features and decide if that's something you want. Don't be surprised if it isn't what you thought it was. Its designed to be bullet proof, not light. 

Finding Balance

Most companies offer a number of different hard-shells, a few light-weight options, a handful of mid-weights, and a small selection of  heavy shells. 

• Quick and Fast
• Hard-shells like this are good for the entry level outdoors person, light weight, and functional. There probably won't be a two way zipper, pit sips, Velcro cuffs, or an adjustable hood and may not even have a draw sting depending on how light the jacket claims to be. Its a layer that doesn't take up much space in a pack but offers good protection to weight to price ratio. 
• Price Estimate; $180 or less.

• The Balancing Act
• A jacket like this is what I recommend for people who call the outdoors home. They offer a great durability for the price, and often have the bells and whistles that make the jacket function well for the individual. Many possibilities await those who look for a shell of this caliber. Two way main zipper, adjustable pit zips, helmet compatible hood, and adjustable cuffs all come fairly standard. On the upper end of this spectrum will have reinforced panels where packs and harnesses will rub, extending the life of the jacket. Of the three shell layers this is the one that comes down to personal preference. Do you like the pocket placement, can you operate the zippers and Velcro with the gloves you use? When you try it on do you have to fight to it, or is it like you grandfathers work gloves, just comfortable. This is the place to be picky and patient, when you have decided what you want, be patient. It will come into your price range sooner then you will think.
• Price Estimate; $180-$350

• Off to War
• The pro-shell. This is the armor that allows people to stay out in elements that would otherwise kill them. No expense is spared when companies make a shell like this, Gore-Tex pro, seam taped, bullet proof construction, this is what humans use when they go off to war against mother nature. If a company makes a pro-shell they design the garment to do one specific thing. Ice climbing, skiing or alpine expeditions, among others. They cut away all unnecessary features and tailor the garment to make the piece good at that one thing. You only need a shell like this if you plan on being in harsh environments or harsh weather for extended periods of time. Environments found in expeditions. If that is not in you your calendar then you don't need a shell like this. Don't get me wrong, if you have $700 burning a hole in your pocket, and want a new ski jacket, go for it, you will thoroughly enjoy you shell. For the other 97% of us, a jacket like this is simply over kill. 
• Price Estimate; $350-$750

Final Thoughts

Buying a winter jacket is a big investment. Take a look at what you want the jacket to do, envision the environments that you will take it into, and how often you will need it. Set a budget that doesn't break the bank. Then be patient. Don't be afraid to look at brands that you don't recognize, if they have good reviews and you are willing to try something new, go for it. If you find multiple coats that meet all your needs, look at who has a better warranty. It seems like a small thing, but that could make or break a deal. Your shell is out there. Go get it. 

Happy Hunting.

How they do it.

K

The Hard Working Little Sister

There are many aspects to the mountains, and equipment and knowledge are by far the two most important pieces. The goal of Montem Calces ("mountain gear" in Latin) is to provide basic information and feed back on equipment, layering philosophies, and reviews of generic pieces. I will use examples form my own collection of gear as my examples and will write reflections on the gear I have.

I will split my writings in between by two blogs, Montem Calces and The Bird, The Bauer, The Bum. Calces will be written with the technical side of the mountain in mine, and The Bum, will capture my thoughts when I come back from the hills.

I look forward to sharing my experiences with you.

K