Cold weather observation techniques

"Mark C. Lepkowski" wrote in message ...
Does anyone have any suggestions for cold weather observation techniques?
There have been some really clear but cold nights here lately. While one
side of me wants to do some observing the other side of me doesn't want to
end up a meatsickle.

I have observed comfortably down to -20C for many hours unsheltered
on the open lawn. Though I don't tend to observe when it is windy. But
only because it makes my eyes water too much to see anything.
I start with two loose thin wool jumpers over a t-shirt.I wear a
roomy down jacket over a comfortable (not tight) down waistcoat. I
have several choices of down jacket and waistcoat as I seem to collect
them. Roomy golfer's(?) thin wadding insulated trousers go on over
loose fitting fleece trousers or skier's high-waist wadding insulated
trousers. Down trousers are available but they flatten where you sit
down. So I prefer sitting on wadding which doesn't flatten.
A roomy, woolly tea-cosy hat is worn over an open face,
non-allergenic balaclava. Gloves I don't usually bother with. I just
tuck my hands into the jacket pockets once I'm on a target. But damp
fingers can stick to cold metal and I have a pair of comfortably large
Thinsulate insulated suede gloves with fine knitted sides to all edges
for flexibility. I tried tighter fitting gloves for more dexterity and
quickly got cold hands. I wear one thick pair of wool socks over one
thin pair of thin wool socks. I'm still experimenting with boots.
Rooomy rubber wellington boots are handy when there is snow or heavy
frost on the ground but not really suitable for long periods of wear
as the socks get damp and wick heat away.
Usually I am more than comfortably warm in all this kit and rarely
bother to even close the jacket unlss there is a breeeze. Thickness of
insulation is everything as is multiple layering to trap warm air and
reduce air (and heat) exchange. Always wear loose clothing, never
tight. As it simply flattens the insulation. Removing hats is the best
way to loose exceess heat fast without chilling yourself if you have
to get a bit of exercise moving something heavy.
Body moisture must be allowed to escape. So never wear anything
waterprooof when it's cold. Or you'll sweat, then freeze, just as your
insulating clothing becomes anything but insulating. The wetness
collapses all that expensively trapped duck or goosedown into a thin
soggy mat.
I have heard that some animal skins are even warmer than goose down
when temperatures get very low. -40C? Ask an eskimo.

Chris.B