Surviving the cold winter

futboler14 · Post by **futboler14** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:50 pm

I'm looking for some advice in MUST HAVES to survive the winters in Northern Saskatchewan. I'm going to be moving up there shortly and it would be nice to know what things people find useful and make the stay more comfortable (i use this term losely). If anyone has good ideas for me to buy/use when I move up there to start work I'd like to hear it.

Gotta start making my xmas list and hopefully I can get some stuff from santa.

thanx

PopnChipper · Post by **PopnChipper** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:23 pm

If uniform isn't an issue, get a pair of insulated cover-alls. Easy to get into and out of, warm as hell, and enough movement to jump into and out of the plane pretty quick. I bought a pair of Wind River XTR boots, not great for long holds, but small enough to still use rudder pedals, and warm if you are flying/walking around. Get one of those goofy looking hats to with the pieces that come down over your ears, fur lined. A good neck warm as well goes a long way. Wool socks are a must, I wear them over normal sports socks. Thick wool sweaters help. I didn't get a parka last winter, and I was always warm enough with tee shirt, long sleeve thin material, small sweater, coveralls, wool sweater and another coat. Layers are key. I saw about -40 temps pretty regular. THis year uniform is an issue, so I got a good parka and doing alright so far at -25 to -30 temps.

slimjim10101 · Post by **slimjim10101** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:24 pm

can't go wrong with a couple pairs of long johns.

young grasshopper · Post by **young grasshopper** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:58 pm

Get your hands on a pair of those white army surplus boots. They are all white, cloth material on the top and look like they'd be good for a max temp of -5C!! Believe it or not, they're the best boots you can buy. Kept my feet warm in -40 with no issues at all. Also great if you're always running back and forth inside/outside, as your feet won't sweat in them. Best investment I made up here.

Mr. North · Post by **Mr. North** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:07 pm

If your joining me in Stoney Rapids, bring some warm clothes!! A laptop helps pass the time.

. . · Post by **. .** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:30 pm

Polar fleece long johns are the way to go. They never get itchy and are much warmer than the awful cotton ones.

Canadian Goose parka. Either snow mantra or resolute. I've owned two resolutes and have worn them down to -52 ambient temperature, don't know what it was with the wind chill. They weren't even close to failing even at those temps. The only down side of the mantra or resolute is that they're massive. If you're in and out of the plane a lot, or doing lots of really physical labour they might not be for you.

I personally had all season hiking boots with really thick socks. They were always warm enough for me. I believe mine were vasque. I'm on my second pair now and I'll buy a third pair when these finish up. I've worn through the sole before any other part of the boot wore out. That's definitely a testament to them. You definitely don't need massive moon boots. I bought a pair that were good down to -100C if such a temperature actually exists. They were so massive, couldn't wear them anywhere. The only times I've ever used them was for ice fishing, which they were perfect for. They didn't help me catch fish though.

Insulated work gloves with the sleeve part to prevent drafts. Buy a few pairs.

Carhart arctic weight bib pants. Absolutely worth their weight in gold. Make sure you get the real deal with the double knee. If you're just starting out you'll definitely need the double knee.

Marks Work Warehouse heavy weight zip up hoodies. They're perfect to wear under the parka. Provide enough warmth for quick rips into the cold without the parka. The hood is often warm enough to put up without using the parka hood or the beaver hat you'll get. They last forever. Look for the ones that have an almost quilted interior. They're my favourite.

Something to consider that you may not have thought of is that waterproof isn't important when it's THAT cold. There's no liquid water, and fancy goretex coats and stuff like is a waste of money.

The down side to everything I've mentioned is that it's all expensive stuff. You'll be happy you spent the extra cash when you're out there at -45 at 0500 cleaning snow off the wings when the winds blowing 30kts.

laptop is also a fantastic idea. A massive PC sucks to haul everywhere. Been there done that, unless you're some crazy gamer a $1250 laptop can play most games PC's can. A $600 laptop is more than good enough to surf the web and download torrents.

god speed.

ClevelandSteamer · Post by **ClevelandSteamer** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:51 pm

Endless, you beat me by 1 degree, it was minus 51 with my Resolute!! Damn you! That Snow Mantra is something else though, DAMN Thats for Alert, and Station Nord operations though.

Bit tip on socks.....wear a pair of normal socks underneath your winter ones. Less sweat and keeps your feet dry and odorless...

Sheared Rabbit or Beaver hat or toque, they don't ridicules when its minus 40!

Under Armor brand is good for keeping you dry and not sweaty if your offloading or doing any kinda hard ramp work.

Baffinland Boots!

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:49 pm

What kind of work will you be doing? If it involves any kind of physical labor then layers are key. You can strip or add layers depending on how hard you're working to prevent sweating. Polypropylene, Wool, Fleece all make good underlayers. Insulated bib overalls, bush jackets with hoods, and a parka with hood for the outside layers. When loading groceries or drums you can strip a layer or two. When I was hauling bulk fuel, standing around watching a little pump unload me, I'd have 4-5 layers up top and 3-4 layers on the legs. I remember feeling really sorry for those poor fellows in their dress pants and windbreakers when they blew a tire in a sub -60 windchill.

Krashman · Post by **Krashman** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:42 pm

get a thin pair of mechanic gloves to wear inside your obvious think winter glove... it will work well inside the airplane before it really starts to warm up in the machine and will keep your hands warm enought to get out and play around with engine tents... heaters and possibly wing covers.

Trust me... when you have to do it with your big northern mitts it can get pretty frustrating and the only thing I think about at the end of the day is getting back in the office... not screwing around with engine tents.

Captain X · Post by **Captain X** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 4:45 pm

Rudy wrote:When I was hauling bulk fuel, standing around watching a little pump unload me, I'd have 4-5 layers up top and 3-4 layers on the legs. I remember feeling really sorry for those poor fellows in their dress pants and windbreakers when they blew a tire in a sub -60 windchill.

Ah the good ole CYQN-CNT3.... I remember that going on. We were in YQN flying Mag surveys looking for Diamonds in the winter of 04 I think? I assume the fuel haul happens every year though. That was a cold winter!

Layers Layers Layers Layers..... is the key and NO COTTON underwear, socks ect

SuperchargedRS · Post by **SuperchargedRS** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:58 am

young grasshopper wrote:Get your hands on a pair of those white army surplus boots. They are all white, cloth material on the top and look like they'd be good for a max temp of -5C!! Believe it or not, they're the best boots you can buy. Kept my feet warm in -40 with no issues at all. Also great if you're always running back and forth inside/outside, as your feet won't sweat in them. Best investment I made up here.

you talking about mickey boots:

89 bucks
http://www.galleria-e.com/cgi-bin/Colem ... uct/081901

might be able to find them cheaper on ebay or something

CAPGEN · Post by **CAPGEN** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:32 am

NO, I think these are what you're after....

http://www.armynavydeals.com/asp/produc ... MukWt&ST=2

Your feet will have no idea how cold it is outside. And that's a great price for them too.

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:59 am

CAPGEN wrote:NO, I think these are what you're after....

http://www.armynavydeals.com/asp/produc ... MukWt&ST=2

Your feet will have no idea how cold it is outside. And that's a great price for them too.

These are the ones I wore doing my Arctic survival course. We had -65 one night. no problem with these boots.

WayDownTown · Post by **WayDownTown** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:43 pm

If you’re going north to Stony this list should keep you warm.
1 bottle of Rye
1 bottle of Rum better make that spiced
1 bottle of Vodka
1 bottle of Gin
1 cube of beer.

Depending on the company you are working for that might last a week! But I do suggest you make those bottles all the squishy size.

'effin hippie · Post by **'effin hippie** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:17 pm

Ahh YSF...

C'mon boys, give him some hints.

1. A serious alcohol dependency is helpful, but you can always get one up there.

2.All the warm shit people mentioned. Army surplus and Carhardt are good. (Personally I think Canada Goose is over-rated, especially if you are going to be doing a lot of labour type stuff, which you will in YSF)

3. A bat, or other bludgeon of some type to keep next to your bed. This plus the booze and some rubbers and your ready to sample the night-life!

4. Good quality insulated work gloves, get 2 or 3 pairs, write your initials on 'em.

5. Porn. (See point # 3)

6. A handheld GPS and VFR radio for when the electrics/nav in your POS PA-31 down tools. Plus probably the ADF is so far out your better of with the GPS on the dash. The radio will get the ARCAL for ya.

7. A healthy sense of humour.

8. A gun. Hunting can be fun. Plus if you have booze and vehicle as well you have the fixin's for a happy-happy Friday. Also see #3 above.

9. More booze, more porn, and another set of gloves...

Enjoy it man, you'll never go back!

ef

edit: Leatherman! HOW could I have forgotten the f***in' leatherman. Accept NO substitutes...

WayDownTown · Post by **WayDownTown** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:52 pm

You want a hint.

learn to read a map. There is no need for a GPS cause you never fly more then a 1000 ft in Saskatchewan and you fly to the same 6 destinations of which four have the same runway directions. Save your money and spend it on mix.

In Saskatchewan there is VFR then there is IFR and then there is VFR again. Learn the back door approaches. If you can count to three you can get into ysf in any conditions. Just remember if the squirrels don't jump out of your way your not really trying.

young grasshopper · Post by **young grasshopper** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 10:38 am

CAPGEN and Spokes - yes those are the ones...its hard to believe these can keep your feet so warm. I don't know if I've ever had cold feet with them. One thing that'll put a damper on anyones day is cold feet. I've never even worn a pair of winter socks underneath, cause I've never had to.

co-joe · Post by **co-joe** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:18 pm

Bring a big box of jimmy hats. No glove...no love.

185/310 · Post by **185/310** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:20 am

You shouldnt need a Parka for up there (unless you plan on standing outside for long periods of time when the wind is blowing), parkas are meant for the artic. The most important thing to bring to pass time is booze, lots of booze.

. . · Post by **. .** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:53 am

185/310:

You sir are a moron. The only difference temperature wise between most of the arctic and YSF is just the duration of the cold. It really doesn't get a whole lot colder the farther north you go from that point. It just gets colder earlier and stays colder longer.

EUREKA/NU

METAR CWEU 051500Z 27015G21KT 12SM DRSN BKN070 M17/M21 A2929 RMK AC6

POND INLET/NU

METAR CYIO 051500Z AUTO 10009KT 9SM OVC036 OVC092 M13/M18 A2895 RMK

GRISE FIORD/NU

METAR CWGZ 051700Z 06008KT 10SM FEW080 M16/M20 A2916 RMK AS1
-7.5/-17/0/6 SNW CVR/MED PCK SNW SLP882=

RESOLUTE BAY/NU

METAR CYRB 051600Z 32012KT 5SM IC FEW055 SCT150 M19/M23 A2923 RMK

STONY RAPIDS/SK

METAR CYSF 051500Z 00000KT 15SM BKN050 M31/M35 A3010 RMK SC6 SLP233=

Infact it's much colder in YSF than some very arctic places. Perhaps you should rethink champ.

ski_bum · Post by **ski_bum** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:05 pm

Futboler, follow Endless and WayDownTowns advice and you'll do fine. The goose is the best investment money can buy, there is a reason every second parka you see up north is a goose... -40 today in Fort Simpson, and I was toasty in my goose. I just picked up a pair of north face boots, kinda like a big hiker, they work great and not as clumsy as the big sorels. I am still trying to figure out the glove deally, thinking of trying out the Raber glove co's military arcitc issue mit?? Anyone use these before? http://www.raberglove.com/products09.html[/url]

slimjim10101 · Post by **slimjim10101** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:56 pm

If you don't mind me asking, Ski-bum, what type of NF boots did you go with? i've been looking at the mcmurdo's and the baltoro's

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:17 am

Whoa now, settle down there endless and put your hoo hoo dilly back in your pants, we get it, it's cold where you are too, you don't need to go getting personal and besmirching your moderator rank.
It's cold EVERYWHERE in the north, dress appropriately.

Cap'n P8 · Post by **Cap'n P8** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:18 am

Rabers are really good! But if I were you I would get the mitts rather than the gloves!

ski_bum · Post by **ski_bum** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:35 pm

slimjim10101 wrote:If you don't mind me asking, Ski-bum, what type of NF boots did you go with? i've been looking at the mcmurdo's and the baltoro's

I bought the Inlux's from sport chek, $110 or something like that. They are grrrrreat!

Thanks for the info on the mitts there Cap'n P8

Surviving the cold winter

Surviving the cold winter

Winter...