https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/blog.php?2378-dougz A public discussion forum on wilderness surivival, primitive technology, and disaster preparedness. en Tue, 21 Jul 2026 01:41:05 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/blog.php?2378-dougz https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?185-Winter-Clothing-Field-Test-4 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:50:14 GMT *Jan 1/09* *Time:* 2 pm *Temp:* -24C/-11F * With Wind Chill (N 20 kph, gusting):* -33C/-27F *Distance:* 3 miles Jan 1/09

Time: 2 pm

Temp: -24C/-11F

With Wind Chill (N 20 kph, gusting): -33C/-27F

Distance: 3 miles

Time Elapsed: 1 hour

Terrain: Street, mild inclines.

Worn:

Ready Pack (35lbs)

Base Layer: Dakota "driwear performance thermal top"
Large. Composition: 66% micro-nylon, 21% micro-polyester, 13% spandex..
http://www2.marks.com/productdetails...8?OpenDocument

Mid Layer (medium):North Face 100% polyester fleece jacket

Top Layer (medium):Wind River, 2XL, 100% polyester fleece jacket.
Windproof membrane. Moisture-wicking lining.

Polyester balaclava
Polyester fleece liner gloves
Polyester liner socks (forgot wool over-socks!)
Snow pants
Kamik snow boots
Wool boxer-briefs

Notes:

I continue to be impressed by how well this base layer keeps me dry, and how layering in general is a far superior temperature regulator than just having one heavy coat.. I was warm and toasty the whole way, and I think I would have been warm even had I not been walking the whole way.. Armpit and small of back hardly got wet at all, and the wetness there was was wicked to the outside of the base layer shirt.

I maintained a relaxed,even pace, and when I did feel a bit hot all it took was taking off the balaclava for 30 seconds or so to get my temp down..

The pack felt good.. Tight in the chest area at first, but once I got used to it, I was fine..

I forgot to put on the wool socks over the poly liner socks! Feet were still nice and warm, though (I love these boots).. Some excessive rubbing, but nothing even close to causing a blister.. ]]> dougz https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?185-Winter-Clothing-Field-Test-4 https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?184-Field-Test-for-Winter-Clothing-3-and-Fire-Starting Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:08:24 GMT *Dec 28/08* *Time:* 11am *Temp:* -15 C * Wind:* n/a *Distance:* 6 miles, cross-country skiing *Terrain:* Groomed run, moderate hills Dec 28/08

Time: 11am

Temp: -15 C Wind: n/a

Distance: 6 miles, cross-country skiing

Terrain: Groomed run, moderate hills

Worn:

Base Layer:

Dakota "driwear performance thermal top"

Size: Large.

Composition:

66% micro-nylon, 21% micro-polyester, 13% spandex..

http://www2.marks.com/productdetails...8?OpenDocument

Mid Layer:

Wind River 2XL 100% polyester fleece jacket.
Windproof membrane.
Moisture-wicking lining.

Top Layer:

North Face 100% polyester fleece jacket


Polyester "micro-fleece" liner gloves
Polyester liner socks, wool socks over that.
Insulated cross-country ski boots
Poly. hat w/ear flaps
Wool boxers
Snow pants

Notes:

The "driwear" base layer top kept me dry, and my second and 3rd layers were the items that got wet with sweat..

I took both top layers off, and I was steaming, but dry!

Definately better than that polyester shirt that I had on the other day..

I should have put my 2nd and 3rd layers back ON sooner, though..

They were COLD after about 10 minutes.. LOL

So all in all I'm quite impressed with this layering thing..

Tried starting a fire with my Magic Striker:

http://www.scientificutility.com/prod_striker.htm

Tried igniting "witches hair".. Nothing...

I was making sparks to beat the band, but the Witches Hair would not go!

Was about to write off the Magic Striker as an emergency fire starter when I decided to try shavings of Magic Ignitor fatwood..

This DID go up, and if I'd spent the time getting a proper kindling tee-pee set up I would have been off to the races..

Still, I think I'm going to put a Bic lighter in a ziploc bag and be done with it.. LOL ]]> dougz https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?184-Field-Test-for-Winter-Clothing-3-and-Fire-Starting https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?183-Dec-26-08-Pack-Winter-Clothing-Field-Test-2 Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:59:34 GMT Dec 26/08 Time: 11am Temp: -15C/5F Wind: 12 kph, gusting Distance: 3 miles Terrain: Street, mild inclines. Dec 26/08

Time: 11am

Temp: -15C/5F Wind: 12 kph, gusting

Distance: 3 miles

Terrain: Street, mild inclines.

Worn:

Ready Pack (35lbs)
Poly. hat w/ear flaps
Columbia winter jacket
Cotton tee shirt
Poly. "micro-fleece" liner gloves
Snow pants
Jockey undershorts
Cotton tube socks
Snow boots

Notes:

I worked up quite a sweat this time, it being so warm out.. :)

I think the next time I'm going to test out the synthetic thermal long john top to see how effective this is at wicking away sweat from my body.. If it isn't, I'm going to have to keep in mind to slow down to prevent sweating in the first place, and to have a change of shirt in my pack (check!)..

My groin area got chaffed a bit, and my tube socks sloughed off my feet a few times and I had to remove my boots and pull them up again..

I'll try wearing the wool long socks next time, and boxer-briefs instead of shorts..

Really liking these liner gloves.. Hold up against the wind pretty good, and are far less bulky than those hockey gloves! ]]> dougz https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?183-Dec-26-08-Pack-Winter-Clothing-Field-Test-2 https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?173-Dec-17-08-Cutting-down-on-my-gear Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:08:58 GMT Hmm.. I'll see..

Dunno if I want to drill holes in a perfectly good pot.. LOL

I've whittled my pack down a bit..

I WAS going to get rid of the extra tarp..

But I thought, it weighs next to nothing, and takes up almost that in space.. Might as well hang onto it..

Was also thinking about ditching the Coughlan's emergency stove..

But it'd be nice to have inside a tent for some heat in the pouring rain..

Got rid of the Coughlin's tin of "camp heat" (diethylene glycol with wick) instead..

http://www.campingsurvival.com/cocahe.html

Also got rid of the leather work gloves and the rain suit (will go into the pack for the spring/summer/fall).

Also got rid of the bungie cords (I have plenty of twine and wire).

And the little .9 L pot.. Keeping the 1.4 L.

That's about all I can think of to part with, so far.. ]]> dougz https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?173-Dec-17-08-Cutting-down-on-my-gear https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?171-Pack-Winter-Clothing-Field-Test-1 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:30:00 GMT *Dec 15/08* *Time: * 10am *Temp:* -22 C *Wind: * 7 kph *Distance:* 3 miles * Terrain: * Street * Dec 15/08

Time: 10am

Temp: -22 C Wind: 7 kph

Distance: 3 miles

Terrain: Street

Worn:

Ready Pack (35lbs)
Poly. hat w/ear flaps
Columbia jacket
Tee shirt
Poly. "micro-fleece" gloves
Jeans
Cotton tube socks
Old Merrel all-terrain sneakers

Notes:

Pack felt good, though I could have gotten it on my hips better, I think..

Definately should have worn snow pants, as my quads were feeling the wind..

Hot spot on my R heel.

Should test my snow boots next time, with the wool socks.

Warmth was good, except for the quads and face (balaclava next time?).

Some sweat on lower back where pack rested.

Upper back and armpits were good.. ]]> dougz https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?171-Pack-Winter-Clothing-Field-Test-1 https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?170-S-amp-R-Ready-Pack Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:19:56 GMT jacket, poly. pants and shirt, scarf, boots, snow pants, wool socks, poly. hat w/earmuffs Lowe Alpine TFX Horizon 65 pack *35lbs, full* ** ... jacket, poly. pants and shirt, scarf, boots, snow pants, wool socks, poly. hat w/earmuffs


Lowe Alpine TFX Horizon 65 pack 35lbs, full

* to be added



Shelter

1 50' nylon rope
1 100' ball of twine
1 10m. heavy wire
4 bungee cords
2 14x14 tarps
1 Woods Lite Loft sleeping bag (rated +5C/41F)
3 emergency blankets

Clothes

2 toques
1 balaclava
1 pr of poly. cargo pants
1 pr warm gloves
1 pr leather work gloves
4 pr wool socks
1 pr syn. liner socks
1 pr syn. thermal underwear
2 pr cotton underpants
1 rain poncho
1 rain suit (pant/jacket)

Light/Fire

1 80 lumin Dewalt flashlight w/ spare batt.
2 light sticks
1 emergency candle
1 emergency stove with fuel
1 magic striker w piece of fat wood
1 pack of fire sticks
1 pack of waterproof matches

Food

2 aluminum pots (.9L and 1.4L) w/lids and pot grip
1 stainless steel mug
1 knife/fork.spoon set
2 servings of oatmeal with blueberries
2 servings of trail mix
4 granola bars
1.5 L of gatorade
1.5 L of water

Rescue/ Misc

1 first aid kit (clothes scissors/ 1 soaker band./ 1 tri. band./rubber gloves)
1 pocket mask
1 shatterproof mirror
1 whistle
1 E Trex H GPS with spare batt.
1 Gerber multitool (to go on belt)
1 spare set of glasses
1 mosquito repellent (to be added for summer)
1 roll toilet paper
4 lg ziplock bags
1 10m. light (trap) wire
1 Fiskars hatchet
2 orange garbage bags
1 folding saw
1 ]]> dougz https://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/entry.php?170-S-amp-R-Ready-Pack