BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

LAYER AND HYDRATE THIS - "IT'S COLD SUCK IT UP" a great little video from TRAVIS HALEY, HALEY STRATEGIC.  He talks about layering your clothing for the cold and ensuring you can still operate your gear.  Layer seams like a pretty easy thing to do specially with all the options out there, but you need to take into consideration the highs and lows predicted and know that this will change without mother nature giving you a heads up.  Your first layer should always be a wicking lay to unsure the sweat that builds up from being active is drawn away from your body.  Then you need a breathable mid layer and depending on the environment you may want two variable types, and last you need a shell, preferably something that blocks out the weather and moister while allowing the built up sweat to evaporate away helping to keep you dry.

BASE LAYER OR WICKING LAYER - are easy to find you just need a good one.  I'm personally big on MERINO WOOL, but you can find synthetics out there from companies like HELLY HANSEN, UNDER ARMOUR or THE NORTH FACE.  This is the most important layer as it is the one in contact with your skin and it collect and transfers the sweat away from you.

MID LAYERS - I use the pleural for this one because depending on your environment you may want more then one.  A cotton t-shirt is a good place to start as it will hold the sweat ones it been removed form the surface of your skin.  On top of this you'll want a wool or fleece of some kind, this can also be you final layer depending on the temperature and environmental conditions.  This layer will ensure that the heat being given off by your body is trapped in a final pocket and prevent the cold air from reaching the built up sweat or skin.

SHELL OR EXTERIOR - A good shell is the last thing you need and it will prevent things like winds and water from building up on the softer thicker layer and making you miserable.  Now depending on the time of year and environment you mite want something like a thin nylon or thicker lined material like GORTEX.

These layers work properly over extended amounts of time if you understand how they actually work and ensure you gear down or up according to your current activity in a certain environmental condition.  For example I may reduce my mid layer if it's warmer but leave on my shell if it's raining.  If I'm conducting heavy physical activity I'll remove my shell and or a mid layer so the sweat can evaporate faster and I stay warm.

One of the other considerations is you will want to feel a little cold, this will ensure you don't over heat to fast and sweat like your in the tropics.  Sweat in the winter or extreme cold is the enemy.  It will cool you down and effects areas like your feet, groin, bits and head first as these are the areas it will build first.  On top of all of this you loose more heat our of your head than any where else so ensure you have a good TOQUE (watch cap) or hat that will work or layer with everything else.  Other considerations are the level and quality of foot wear you're using, and can be done in layers.  I know personally my feet sweat extremely easily and freeze fast so a layered sock system as well a properly designed foot wear make the difference.  Something like a set of NEO'S over boots are a great add on as they offer the traction, versatility, and weather proofing of a MUKLUK without having to remove your trail boots or shoes and they take up very little room.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll08xA_rWr0

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary/Learn/Clothing/DressingForTheOutdoors.jsp

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/expert-advice/layering-system-guide

http://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/discond/cip/Pages/ColdCasualtiesInjuries.aspx

HYDRATION - Now with all of the layers and activity you're going to sweat it's inevitable.  And like I said sweat is the enemy, not only because the cold can eventually kill or hurt you but because of dehydration will aid the cold in killing you.  There are a few secrets to hydration in winter or cold environments.  

One it takes a couple days to properly hydrate the human body.  You can't just start that day and expect to be ok.  

Warm fluids will absorb into your body faster then cold ones, but caffeine will dehydrate you so limiting things like coffee, tea and hot chocolate while you're outside for extended amounts of time is a good idea.

Think about bringing water or mixing a sport drink 50/50 with water instead.  

Sure snow melts but if you're going to melt snow or ice you need to boil it for at least ten minuets just to make sure the things that will make you sick and cause dehydration in your shorts is killed off.  

Now you can carry warm water and drinks in your pack but if you have a vehicle accessible you mite want a couple jeary cans or ice blocks to ensure you have a clean water source.

Now, any idiot can be uncomfortable or die but with the right mentality and some simple training you can avoid being that guy.  Read, train, and make sure you have the right gear and mind set.

http://oakwoodsportsmedicine.com/2012/11/08/nutrition-and-hydration-considerations-in-cold-weather/

http://nuun.com/blog/2011/11/16/winter-hydration/

http://www.ceraproductsinc.com/military/newsletter_vol8_3.pdf

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/cflawc/files/aoa-extreme-cold-survival.pdf