Snow and Winter Survival Essentials

Fresh snow on the back acre of my New Jersey estate.

I really enjoy snowshoeing and everything snow related in the winter-time. In fact my fondest memories are of my father taking us all sled riding in deep winter at night. Super cold but we loved it! So I've learned a few things about keeping warm and safe in snowy-winter conditions, especially if you have to unexpectedly spend extended times outdoors.  Here's what I pack:

Hiking-Snowshoeing-Skiing
Make sure you dress in breathable layers like wool but skip the cotton. When you sweat, cotton stays wet and will eventually chill your core. Same thing for your socks and footwear. Pack an extra pair of Smartwool socks to change in case snow gets inside your boot. Weather-proof your boots with Sno-Seal or NikWax to help keep moisture out.

Hardshell Pants
Over top of my wool socks and boots, I wear Gore-Tex Paclite Snowboarding Pants. The zippers go all the way up and are sealed to keep snow and water out. The knees are articulated making them easy to bend and move in.

Warm Gloves

Lole of Montreal's Chunky Knit Ski Cap

I have many pairs of gloves but the ones I wear most in winter are made of soft kid leather and fur lined. Just like my boots, I give them a quick treatment with Sno-Seal once a year. This keeps them soft and supple because water exposure is what dries out the skins. Mittens may be warmer but won't help much with ski or snowshoe bindings.

Headwear 
I've said it before but it bears repeating that covering your noggin and neck area is perhaps the best way to prevent heat from escaping. 

A Balaclava which also covers your chin and mouth is ideal especially when worn as a layer beneath a loose knit wool hat.

The Kestrel 4500 gives you both weather tracking and compass directions.

Weather Tracker & Compass
You may be able to use your cell phone to get updates on the weather but what if you are out of signal range? Also remember that the information you get from that source is from the nearest weather reporting facility, not necessarily where YOU are at the moment.

I take along my Kestrel Weather Tracker because it calculates the changing atmospheric conditions where I am, alerting me to a falling barometer and wind-chill factors that can precede hypothermia. Additionally it has the ability to track wind speed and direction via a very accurate compass.  If you get turned around in white out conditions, the compass will be very handy to help show the way home.

Hot Food & Drink
Bringing along some hot soup is a really good idea as well. Even if you want to take a smaller sized 12oz thermal container, this will both hydrate, nourish and warm you while you are in freezing temperatures. 

Hot soup, broth or tea will help warm your core on the trail.

Fire!
Even if it is something as simple as a fire-starter, keep one with you in case you are lost, injured or just need to get warm. I keep one on my key-chain and always have one plus fire starting materials in my backpack. Cotton balls smeared with petroleum jelly work great to get a fire going. Don't leave home without it!

Camp axe, British Army Knife and Aurora Fire Starter all from Camping Survival.

First-Aid Kit
You don't have to go crazy but throw together a few bandages and antiseptic for the trip. Adventure Medical Kits has a not so bare bones Ultralight-Watertight .3 Kit that is just that and a lot more. I keep one with me in my handbag but for outdoor expeditions I will take a larger kit in the same series as I am carrying in for my hike companions. Every kit I've tried has been complete and totally worth bringing.

Adventure Medical Ultralight/Watertight Kits are perfect for snowy dayhikes.

Now you can certainly add other things to your winter backpack, but these are the essentials I take every time because they are lightweight and really earn their space. With the metal Klean Kanteen you can heat and melt snow for extra water while hiking so you needn't haul extra gallons. Definitely the way to travel light in the snow.

The main goal is to get home safe and stay warm!

Canoeing & Kayaking Trip Prep

Water sports like canoeing and kayaking can be a fantastic day out with a little preparation.

I've always loved the water!  I spent many vacations at resorts like Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey or the Hamptons and Sag Harbor on Long Island.  While I enjoy being in the water, I especially like being on the water.  I've sailed larger vessels like the Clearwater Sloop but really enjoy people powered watercraft like canoes and kayaks.

Take a Class

Magda is using a feathered kayak paddle

I had been canoeing for years but enrolled in a class through my local county park system.  They gave us great pointers on choosing the proper oar for your height and how to choose/adjust your flotation vest for the best fit.  You can also read Sea Kayaking - Basic Skills, Paddling Techniques and Trip Planning by Dan Henderson of The Mountaineers Books.  Dan is a former National Athlete and team coach and his book is a wealth of information on all types of kayaking.

How to Paddle & Steer
According to our instructor, the canoe oar handle should come to just below your chin when held vertically.  Kayak paddles come in feathered and un-feathered so you'll have to experiment with which is more comfortable. Feathered kayak paddles go with the natural roll and allow you to keep your wrists straight throughout the paddle stroke. They do not need to be adjusted much between strokes and the healthiest position for your wrists is straight. Check out this short video instruction on how to stroke and steer your kayak using a feathered paddle:

Sperry Topsider Boating Shoes

Getting a Grip
You'll want to wear water repellent slip proof shoes for canoeing and sit on top kayaking.  Really any grippy soled athletic shoe will work.  Magda is wearing a pair of Sperry Topsider Sandals in the lead photo.  These sandals and Sperry's athletic shoes have ridged soles that act like little water squeegees to keep you from slipping when boarding watercraft. Most accidents happen while boarding and disembarking.  Needless to say decks and boat interiors are often wet & slippery me hearty. 

What to Bring On Board?
Well, stuff that floats of course!  If something isn't waterproof, it might be best to leave it on shore.  Here's my packing essentials for a day out on the water, canoeing, kayaking or on board a recreational craft.
 

 
Packing List
Everything pictured above, including the Adventure Medical Kit fits in The Mountainsmith Sixer Travel Cooler.  

The Sixer Travel Cooler for easy boarding

Going from left to right:

UV Protective Eyewear - These are Rudy Project Demi-turtle sunglasses.  Very important because water reflects up to 90% of the sun's rays. Wrap around design best protects eyes.

Sunblock - We like Mission Athletecare's Sun Defeated Continuous Spray, SPF/UPF 30.  You don't want to risk dropping an oar or paddle so an easy to spray sunblock like this works great.

Kestrel 4500 Weather Tracker - GPS of Wi-Fi might not be available off shore.  The Kestrel 4500 tracks weather conditions on the water and measures wind speed and direction.  Barometer charts upcoming storms and squalls so you can get to shore safely while the unit itself floats / measures water temps.

Water & Water Filtration - I find Insulated Klean Kanteens work best. You can even clip the caribiner top to your flotation vest or a rail & water stays cool for up to 24 hrs.  Need more water?  You can carry less and simply filter additional water in case of an emergency with a Purificup.

Food & Snacks - Think of packing things you can eat with one hand.  Meal bars, gel packs can both be held and eaten while paddling.  I keep cut sandwiches and raw vegetables cold in The Sixer & a Lunch 2 Go.

Marine Specific Medical Kit - I like Adventure Medical Kits Marine 250.  Very complete and you can even snap it on or install it permanently in your watercraft.  Doing this makes it easy to remove items with one hand while the kit is mounted.  The Marine 250 first aid supplies are packaged in waterproof inner bags and is well organized according to emergency. Perfect for fishing, recreational and day trips on inland waterways we always add a few packs of Natrapel Insect Repellent towelettes to our medical kits.

Sailing to Nantucket Island off the coast of Massachusetts.

Kestrel 4500 - Portable Vane Mount

Need to keep track of wind direction, speed and weather at base camp or on the slopes? Attach your Kestrel 4500 to the Portable Vane Mount for hands free monitoring! Blue Tooth allows you to record and transfer data to your laptop for tracking conditions over longer time periods. Kestrels are used extensively by The Weather Channel and the U.S. Military in the field. 

Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker operating in its Portable Vane Mount

Remove the wind-cover and track up to three values per screen such as is shown here: Wind Direction - Speed and Temperature.

How to Rock Bike Month

Polar Bottle & Chocolate #9 GIVE-AWAY!!! Just email Dr. M at drmiczak@yahoo.com with "Bike Month Give Away" in the header. One US resident will win a new "Gizmo" design 24 oz Thermal Polar Bottle and a set of Chocolate #9 Agave Gel Energy Packs. Deadline is midnight June 30th 2011 so enter NOW!

Lumpkin Cycle Works Birmingham Panniers

We are SO excited about National Bike Month 2011!  Cycling is one of our favorite cross training activities but during the month of May, we're going to take it to a whole new level.  With gas prices going through the roof, now might be a good time to think about using your bike for more than just exercise.

When someone tells me that they get up early and then drive to an air conditioned gym for spinning classes, I have to think, "What?"   How about this for an alternative:  Get a real bicycle, get up early and bike your errands for the day.  In the time you've spent in transit to and from the gym plus working out you could have ridden at least 7 miles or more and that's going really slow!  Trust me, you can do this.

With a few added pieces of gear such as a CatEye Commuter Wireless Cycle Computer, Double Shot Headlight and Lumpkin Cycle Works slick Faux Alligator Panniers in burgundy shown here, you can turn your bike into a lean green commuting machine!  Better still, you'll look GOOD doing it.

Most American's use their cars for errands & distances under 5 miles.  Really, you can bike that quite easily and with the right gear, you can do a lot more with your bicycle than just tool around.   CatEye's Commuter Wireless cycle computer gives you the usual essentials plus ETA, time, date and temperature.  It is so easy to operate and access data while in the saddle.  With an ETA reading, you'll know your progress on your morning commute to work or when running an errand.  It is estimated that for every 2 miles you bike, you can save about 2 dollars in gas.  As prices rise, that amount will rise as well.

Afraid of arriving in Spandex?  Say no more.  Smartwool's Channing Jersey is very chic.  I biked to a social event in it and had my picture taken numerous times.  No one even knew it was a cycle jersey!  I was totally comfortable too.   Terry Bicycles has a new Urban Collection that will rock your socks!  Terry's cycle clothes look good enough to stop off at the market or go to lunch.  What about a trip to the library or stopping at the mall?  How about a picnic at the park or the beach?  Put panniers on your bike, a skort on your bum and all of this is within reach.  Do it for yourself and the environment.

Coaster Skort & Tee from Terry's Urban Collection

Be sure to look for our upcoming video this summer with cross trainers who use the NYC Bike Path!

Weekend Ski Trip - Packed in 10!

You just got a call to join your friends skiing this weekend.  Don't panic.  Have you got 10 minutes?  Here's our "get up and go" packing list of clothing & gear essentials for a super-fun weekend on the slopes!    You won't have much of a good time if yo're not warm and dry so baselayer must haves include: Exofficio's super - wicking Chica Cool Hoody, Craft's Microclimate Layer 1 Tee, and Smartwool's Midweight Turtleneck.  

Exofficio's Chica Cool Hoody

Outerwear packables include a pair of warm UGG Boots (Bailey 3 Buttons), Kahtoola MICROspikes Crampons, Moonstone's Lucid Down Jacket and Hardshell Banshee Snowboarding Pants with matching black Snow Beanie (fits smoothly under your ski helmet).

Top if all off with Rudy's Project's Technically Cool Klonyx Snow Goggles and you are SO ready for a great weekend on the mountain!

Don't forget your toiletries, a portable humidifier and guitar for those cozy lodge evenings!