
I know what you’re thinking. It was on the February meeting schedule, but nooo, nary a word was mentioned. What are you going to do now with your trip scheduled to Anaktuvuk Pass for later this week. How will the photos be captured?
Fear not!
Bruce Herman, who was going to lead a break-out group on the topic, kindly provided the handout he’d prepared for the session, which we are now happy to present to you.
1. Protect yourself first
- Know your limits.
- Do not allow yourself or members in your party to become cold
- Very difficult to get warm once you’re cold
- Adds stress and impairs judgement
- Liner or fingerless gloves
- Insulated parka
- Windblock fleece or wool pants
- Long underwear as needed
- Pack or double boots
- Hat
- Hand/body/foot chemical warmers
- Dress in layers if physical exertion is involved
- Implies carrying a pack for clothes as removed
- Temperature/perspiration management
- Also manage fluid intake
- Consume foods, but don’t rely on hot drinks to save you if you become cold and wet
2. Camera
- Spare batteries kept warm inside a parka inside a plastic bag
- Some (d)SLR cameras have extra battery packs that can be attached to the camera
- If using a lot of flash and if a shoe mounted or separate flash, get an external battery pack
- Avoid thermal shock to large glass elements
- Avoid condensation
- Bringing cold gear into warm environment
- Breathing on gear
- Avoid allowing it within the camera when changing lenses
- Be cautious when using a zoom as the barrel can become wet then freeze
3. Tripod
- Leg locks can become stiff or not grip well
- Tamp out a place for legs in deep snow
- Do not fully retract legs if they become wet