Gear Up

Sunrise in the hood.

I am an armchair adventurist. I have climbed many crevasse-riddled, icy cold mountains without leaving my couch (Shout out to the Sherpas!). I have paddled on steamy, snake-filled rivers in the Amazon without picking up an oar. I have bobbed along in a sailboat on shark infested waters without ever knowing the difference between a jib and a boom. I have tromped along the trails of the PCT, CDT and AT without the aid of hiking poles or trail runners. Books have made all this possible with a little YouTube on the side for good measure.

At the present moment, the only adventure I can make a personal claim on is walking outdoors in the winter. The weather on the upper plains likes to throw a few punches our way and I am determined to put head into the wind, literally.

As any adventurist will tell you, it pays to have the right gear. My outerwear is normally used on treks from the car to the store and back again. Fortunately, some of my gear is from my bus duty days which demanded a certain level of comfort on wintry days. Here is a rundown on the efficacy of my gear choices.

1) Parka--I have a down parka with a hood. I am toasty warm in it and the bright blue color is easily spotted from a distance just in case I slip into a snowbank and am lying there like a beached whale. (A+)

2) Knit Scarf--It is a heavy duty wrap that I can pull around my face in full Yeti-mode, if need be. It does the trick on our wickedly, windy days. It also catches drips from my leaky nose. Bonus. (A)

3) Thermal Headband--It is perfect as an additional layer for my ears. It is also just right for days when the weather is not so severe. It gives me a woody woodpecker look after I remove it but I like birds so that is not a problem. (A+)

4) Gloves--I only have lightweight knit gloves. They are perfect for moderately chilly days but are woefully ineffective when the windchill is below zero. New gloves are on my Christmas list. (C-)

5) Pants--I walk in my knit pants and the mighty wind slices right through them with an icy vengeance. The good news is that it doesn't take long for my legs to go numb so I don't feel the discomfort for very long. But, I think it would behoove me to heed my husband's advice when he asked, "You do know that is a bad thing, right?" Thermal wear has been ordered. (D-)

6) Footwear--My heavy duty LL Bean shoe boots keep my feet warm and toasty. In addition, they have great treads for tromping through snow drifts and picking my way through icy landmines. (A+)

Perhaps the weather gear needed most is determination. I am not going to lie, it is mind over matter to step out the door into the icy tundra. The promise of a few rewards can make it worth it. The brisk air is a revitalizing tonic. The sunrises are beyond description. And, if my hood isn't cinched up too tight I get to hear a few birds tell me their plans for the day.

So, if you see a big blue Yeti plod by your house, it is just me. Feel free to join me. You will have no problem keeping up.