ATTENTION ALL GEAR JUNKIES

“I hope there are those of you out there that study meticulously all the new and upcoming gear because I'm hoping on some suggestion for what will work in 0 to -60 below weather? Any Ideas? Any great sites for artic gear and head lamps that won't freeze and die?
Thanks Everybody!”

“YIKES!!! -60 degrees is COLD! Where the $#&@!!$ are you going?!? I've been on Denali in
-30, but -60 is a whole new experience in discomfort. ON Denali when the sun was out it was quite comfortable. The real cold came when the sun disappeared behind the mtn above 14,000 ft. Here's some stuff I used in 1998 (just what I used; other brands of equipment may exist and be just
as good ):

A Feathered Friends Sleeping bag (Gortex shell, -30% rating), Try their website to see what they offer today.

Down or poly-filled booties - wear them while sleeping to give more warmth to your feet.

Plastic boots - get them oversized so you can add extra sock layers.

Overboots - to go over the plastic boots, the ones with insulation both on the sole and up the sides. Boots contact the snow, so your feet colder faster. Try Forty Below or Outdoor Research.

Good Thick PArka - Only ones I know that have recieved good rating are Featherd Friends and Marmots 8000 meter parka. You might want to go for down pants too if your going into -60 degrees (just took 300 pile pants, 2 layers of polypro long johns, and gortex shell on Denali).

layered glove system - polypro liner gloves, pile or down over those, then a shell.

Also try the American Alpine Institute's website. They are a guide service that also sells hard to find gear that can be used on their trips (which includes Denali).

Good luck. Stay warm!”

“O M G don't go...you'll freeze something very important off!!!!”

“top dawg you're the best, thanks for the direction, if I have any questions can I e-mail ya? Bye the way check out Alaska or Bust and you'll see where I'm headed”

“Wintergreen Clothes have always been some of the highest quality gear.

http://www.wintergreendesigns.com/”

“Beaver Sports, Fairbanks AK

Ask for Ev. He done cross the Brooks adventure races.


My gear for Fairbanks. I snowshoed and XC skied down to -40
slept down to -25, but could have gone colder, theoretically.


Personally, my AK interior winter gear list included:

Sierra Designs Stretch Dome Tent.

I forget the bag name, synthetic. I'd probably get down for those temps. Be careful of frost building up in the down.

Midweight Polypro base or silk weight with Sport Hill top and pants.

200-300 weight fleece pants and jacket.

Gortex or nylon, vented pants and shell.

Wind Proof Balaclava and wind proof skullcap or beanie

liner gloves ( a must)

windproof fleece gloove

nylon overmits

Thorlo Expedition Socks. The dark green ones. Beaver Sports used to carry them.

Salomon Backcountry Ski Boots or Steger Expedition Mukluks

Gaiters, closed cell foam lined ones if it is really going to be -60.

Make closed cell foam liners for Nalgene water bottles. Lexan bottles a must.

MSR Whisperlite with base.

Sled! Or Motherload backpack.

zippo lighter, butane isn't dependable that cold.

Layer, layer, layer. Don't overheat and sweat. Ventilate as much as you can.”

“This got left off. ?

Cold Spot Feeds

Great source for headlamps. The dog mushers shop there. They'll know what works in the cold. I had one the used to sell that was the standard at the time. They also have some cold weather clothing.”

“Minus 60? Wow, that's great! It probably goes without saying, but be sure to keep the batteries warm, otherwise they won't work. Best of luck.”

“Grrreat Ideas, thanks everybody. Hey just food for thought I went on ebay and checked some stuff out, there's some great deals in there for outdoor gear.”

“Cool site, Pathman.

"Bootie horn"?”

“This looks interesting....

Mushing Magazine

Check out the books under the 'Merchandise' link.”

“Tilt, nice site, great help”

“The things that I have learned in BITTER COLD is that you MUST use VBL'S for your sleeping bag and boots.And and toe warmers are also a must.


8)”

“VBL's??”

“Of course, I found that site by checking out the 'Mushing Links' at the 'Cold Spot Feeds' site Pathman posted...

So it's all His fault, really, <G>


(I'm in Georgia where it's usually 74 degrees in February, <G>)”

“Vapor Bareier Liner.

I know I am not a good speller.


8)”

“anyone have any personal reviews for down camp booties. I searched the archives but couldn't find anything. I know I want to get some but not sure which are best and why.”

“The goose down ones that Sieria Desins makes are good.


8)”