A Systems Approach?

On occasion I repost something I find of particular interest from the blog links listed on the side of Cold Thistle.



Recently I have been working on a number of design projects and seen a few others starting to produceresults. Even after a lot of effortthe results may be of limited value. Eventually a well thought out "system" willallow one to use less clothing,carryless weight with better protection from the elements,allwhile being moreversatile. Think a seamless approach, head to foot.



I think to design well, you need a beginner's mind, an open mind. The student's mind. And enough experience to know what really does work and why.



Below area couple of good thoughts for you. I don't agree with everything listed in the blog post. I think tucking your pants into a modern gaitered boot (Phantom and Batura) for example is a bad idea. Tucking your pants is simply a faster way to getcold, wet feet eventually.





Look closely at the upper left hand corner and else where onthe Phantom Guide's gaiter. This is what happens when you tuck your pants into your shorty boot gaiters in the wrong conditions. That is all moisture out of my boot! A good antiperspirant applied to your feet priorwill help as well.



But when thinking of a "clothing system" these two are good info worth remembering.





More here:



http://iceclimbingjapan.com//12/23/climbing-mythology/

heat loss thru the head

another misunderstanding that leads to rescues and unrequited goals. people thinking they lose 50% of their body heat thru the head so they get away with just a good hat is a myth so embedded its not even questioned.

the head loses the same amount of heat as any other part of the body does in ratio to its size – in this case about 9%. meanwhile, somewhere often ignored but which does have a surface area approaching 35% is the legs.

think about it next time you dress for the cold.

crampon patches

crampon or ‘slash’ patches do little to protect your trousers, and do a lot to make your feet cold.

20 years ago when crampons had 20 teeth and fabrics stretched less and had more abrasive textures they were a big deal. now, the seam that joins them and the difference in fabric properties are more likely to catch a crampon than deflect one.

of course bad footwork will create the odd nick, but a thick layer of unbreathing cordura or, worst yet – absorbent Kevlar – is trapping more moisture around your ankles than the odd nick will let in.