[at-l] RE: [ft-l] Cold weather hiking questions

[jbryankramer@xxxxxxx (J Bryan Kramer)]

The general rule of thumb is that you don't have to worry about stuff
freezing until the temp drops to 26* and stays there for several hours. Of
course if it gets below 32* and stays there for a long time water will
eventually freeze but that's rather rare in Florida.

As for gloves and such that depend a lot on you and how you deal with the
cold, just think about losing to the Gators that should warm you right up
;-.

When I used to cross-country ski we would be down to tee shirts pretty quick
but you need to have warmer clothes to put on when you stop. I doubt you'll
want to get down to shorts however. Hypothermia can happen up into the
fifties or higher, the big danger there is getting wet and being in a wind.
That will suck the heat right out of your body. Just stay dry, takes layers
off and put them on so that you don't get overheated and start sweating. You
can safely stick your body out of the tent, serious problems with things
like that don't happen at 30*, maybe at -30*.

I'd suggest a fleece top and maybe wind jacket and pants, gloves are
optional but won't hurt. Plus some long pants and a tee shirt. A good hat is
always important in the cold, I like watch caps but others like balaclavas.

Bryan


"Si vis pacem para bellum"

> OK folks, cold to me is anything below 60, and I'm headed to Ocala next
> weekend, where the predicted highs are in the 50's, lows in the
> lower 30's at
> night.  My questions herein are probably going to sound stupid,
> but alas, I
> have not a clue.  So, any help will be appreciated.
>
> 1.  Will I need gloves?
> 2.  Will my water and stuff freeze?
> 3.  What extra gear should I bring?
> 4.  What extra clothing?
> 5.  Is it safe to hang my upper body out of the tent and cook
> breakfast while
> the rest of me stays in the tent and toasty in my bag?
> 6.  how close is too close to set your tent next to a camp fire?
> 7.  What are the warning signs of hypothermia?
> 8.  Also, since the daytime highs are going to be in the 50's, and I am,
> afterall, hiking, do you think I'll get hot and wish I had on shorts and a
> t-shirt?
>
> I think that's it.  I'm sure I'll think of a hundred things I should have
> asked when I'm out there, so feel free to put in your two cents.
>
> KellyGoTitans (who, thanks to the Jets, will be playing in Oakland next
> weekend).
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