Thread: Brrrrrr, it's cold out there

Originally Posted by epd

I bought a snowblower last winter during the first heavy snowfall. I had enough of shoveling snow.
It ended up costing about $200 per use so far.... As much as I hate snow it would be nice to get some use out of the blower this winter Lol.

As far as the jacket, those varsity and suede with fur are good for getting from the car to the mall ect.
Real outdoor exposure up here requires a couple more layers



Eric.

My last blower lasted me 20 years before self destructing so owed me nothing. If the new one goes that long it will be my last. Fear not you will get lots more use out of it yet.

Yea, there is a huge difference in what you need dashing from house to car and car to mall or long work periods outdoors.

Bob

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Whereabouts are you located? A t-shirt will work just fine when it's relatively warm, but trying that when it's -30 or -40 will get you dead in a hurry!

Minnesota USA

Every year when it gets below -20C / -4F I start thinking about moving south permanently.
When it is cold the only clothing that helps is wool.

Originally Posted by 32t

Minnesota USA

Ah, OK. I was all ready to have some fun about 'real' winters, but I think you have that covered in Minnesota!

At least we don't have to deal with the snow in the Rockies.

Spring in the Rockies'



Makes our winter snow look pathetic.



Bob

Layers, layers, and more layers is the way to go. We work in the oilfield here in -30 C to -40 C with just Nomex coveralls as the outside layer, but with so many shirts on underneath that you can barely move. A good trick when you have to spend hours outside working in this is to purposely mist yourself down with water. Sounds stupid, but it forms a layer of ice on your clothes that the wind will not penetrate, as ice is an excellent insulator. The only thing is don't go inside & thaw out, or you have to change all of your clothes. This is a once a day method to stay warm, especially when the windchill is -40+.

When I worked for a water well company when we would pull pumps your hands would get wet. Once they were wet I kept them wet and in the water coming from the ground. The water was warmer than the air by far. I always had many pairs of gloves handy and some drying at all times.

All you Northern folk are my heros. I complain when there's 6" of snow to shovel.
You All Rock

The nice thing with wool work mittens / gloves is that they will keep your hands reasonably warm even when they're wet.

I've got a funny story about some Canadians.

Back in the mid 60's we lived in N, TX not too far from the Red River. Primarily wheat farm/ranching area. One of the neighboring ranches raised Charolais cattle. THey had a pretty big spread. Couple of gents came to TX from Alberta to look at some of the herd for purchase. The foreman called over and wanted to know if I would help gather the cattle. I saddled up and rode a couple miles over to their ranch.

When I got there the Canadians wanted to know why I had a heavy coat and slicker tied on my saddle as it was about 60°F at the time. I told them to look to the North and they could figure it out. Guess neither of them had seen or experienced a "blue Norther" in TX. Most of the North sky was a bluish black color at the time. They chuckled and told me it didn't get cold in Texas. I shook my head and headed off into the pasture to gather cattle. The Canadians had saddled up and headed off with the owner to another pasture.

About an hour later that front came in like a freight train. Winds blowing 40 to 50, temps dropped into the 20's after half an hour or so, and then the rain started. It was rank. I stayed with it and brought the cattle in about 5 hours later. I had icicles hanging off my reins and my hat brim. My feet were numb and I had trouble telling when they were on the on the ground when I closed the gate on the pen. I looked around and saw the owner coming in with a fair sized bunch so I mounted up and rode out to help him. When we got situated he asked if I'd seen those )#*&$@!!!!! Canadians. Told him I'd not seen hide nor hair of 'em. We got the rest of the cattle penned and I saw the two horses they were riding, tied up, in the rain, with their saddles still on 'em. I dumped their saddles in the mud and put the horses in the barn.

We found the Canadians sitting in their truck with the heater running full blast.

The did allow as how that was the coldest they'd ever been.

I called 'em candy asses and then I rode home unsaddled, put my horse in the barn, and spent a while thawing out.

Naw it don't snow in Texas.......

Feb 2010;



My view;


Snow and mailbox removal. The BEST part.


Xmas '09;