Winter clothes for photography in Rocky Mountains (Canada)

[yanzhang]

<p>I will participate in a landscape photography workshop in November 2011 in Rocky Mountains (Alberta, Canada). Since I am living in Sydney (Australia), I have never been to such a cold environment in my life. I like to start to prepare my winter clothes for this trip. Can people, who have experiences in photography in Rocky Mountains in winter period, give me some suggestions what sort of clothes I should prepare?<br>

The workshop is a 5-day intensive photography practice in the area, we will take photographs 5-7 hours per day during the workshop period.<br>

Many thanks,<br>

Yan</p>

[randy_larson]

<p>I have attached a link to the perfect suit for outdoor photography. My wife and I have worn these suits to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Layer under this, including using polarfleece. Add good gloves/mittens(I like to use polypropylene gloves with heavy mittens over if it is really cold), a good hat and wool pac boots and you will be set. Layering allows you to remove layers if the weather warms.<br /> Randy<br>

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0042025922862a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=trans+alaska+suit&Ntk=Products&sort=all&Go.y=0&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=0</p>

[Jerry_]

<p>You should look for a decent wool hat. And several pair of wool socks. You may have to search the Internet for cold-weather boots. [Managed to get through 1984 to 1987 at Eielson Air Force Base in central Alaska, nothing froze while there....]</p>

<p>As you get closer to 21 December, the nights tend to get longer, and the days shorter -- so if you are going near the Arctic Circle, the days get much shorter in late November. Landscapes may be fun as the sun tends to stay low on the horizon until mid-March.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

 

[Hector Javkin]

<p>Here is something which I learned from photo.net a few years back: if any part of your face will touch metal as you look through the viewfinder, cover the metal with tape. For me, it's the quick release clamp on the tripod head, and the anti-twist portion of the quick release clamps. Tape will avoid having your face stick to metal, which can be very painful.</p>

[rick_wong]

<p><a href="http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/dress+layers.html">http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/dress+layers.html</a><br>

this link will take you to an article on dressing in layers for the cold. REI also sells what gear you need but you will save money by buying where you will be flying into. Here in north america you will find discount stores like Walmart, FredMyers, Target, and even sears which will sell winter clothing at what the local wear and buy. </p>

[sketch_tbhotmail.com]

<p>Rick's article is pretty much bang on. 3 or more layers to allow you to control your temp. Most of all though, a good pair of properly fitting winter boots. If your feet get cold, you're going to be miserable. Oh, and chemical pouch hand warmers... you can pick them up at most sporting good stores around here. I've found that in cold weather my hands freeze regardless of what kind of gloves I'm wearing. Pop a couple of those in your pockets and you'll stay toasty.</p>

[yanzhang]

<p>Dear Randy, Jerry, Hector, Rick and Ryan,<br>

Thanks so much for all these useful information and knowledge. I will take a closer look at them.<br>

Regards, Yan</p>

[zml]

<p>As a general rule, avoid cotton when planning any physical activitiy (it absorbs water but doesn't release it quickly thus stays dump and loses it insulation properties.) The best solution is a wind/water proof jacket and a few layers of polypro on top and pants (can be cotton blend) with a pair of polypro long underwear (I use skiing underwear - thin and warm but expensive.) Bring gloves and a warm hat. Also sunglasses and good waterproof sun screen (including lip balm with high SPF sunscreen.) The rest is common sense...<br />In November it can be anywhere from +20C to -20C daytime in the Rockies (near or below zero C at night) so keep it in mind while designing your wardrobe.</p>

<p>(As an aside, investigate the locale you are going to beforehand...I went to Brisbane and Cairns via Sydney a month ago and although Cairns was 25-28C and a very light sweater was all I needed in Brisbane, I was shivering in my t-shirt at the Sydney airport at 7C, especially after the friggin' 15 hr flight from LA...)</p>

[rachelle_m.]

<p>Yan,</p>

<p>Are you flying into Vancouver or Calgary? In all honesty, if you have a little time before the workshop, I think it would be better to buy your winter clothes in Canada. But Rick's article and Michael's advice is spot-on: please work in layers. It might be really cold in the mornings, but quite warm in the afternoons (depending on the weather) so you'll want the option of layers. If you bought a full-on winter suit you won't really have the option of taking it off. I grew up in Canada with -40 C winters and the last time I wore a snow suit was when I was 8. As long as you protect your extremities and your core, the rest really doesn't matter. Good <a href="http://www.sorel.com/mens-boots/men,default,sc.html">boots</a>, base layers, gloves and a hat are important. And a scarf! Keep your neck warm -- cold air running down your back from your neck will give you the chills that you won't get rid of. Oh - and make sure your sunnies have no metal on them either!</p>

<p>That being said, I've seen Aussies in 'cool' weather (that is, still t-shirt weather for Canadians) who really can't handle it, who bundle up for +10 C the way I would for -40 C, so you might want to go for a little more than a little less. You can always make yourself cooler by taking a layer or two off, but you can't make yourself warmer if you don't have the extra clothing.</p>

<p>What does your workshop leader have to say about clothing? He/She is probably your best bet for recommendations since they will know exactly how long you'll be in the cold and the type of locations you'll be going to.</p>

[iambaxter]

<p> If you are flying into Calgary and have a little time here before heading to the mountains, then you would be better of getting most or all of your outdoor clothing here. Prices will be lower in Calgary than if you buy in Banff or one of the other mountain resort towns. If you can shop in Calgary I would recomend shopping at Marks Work Wearhouse. They are a chain of stores in southern Alberta they carry a large selection of outdoor clothing. At that time of year they should have a very good selection of winter wear in various styles and sizes at good prices. This includes boots. There are mainstream big box stores such as Wallmart, Zellers, The Bay, Canadian tire, Sears, but they may not have the selection or sizes. The other choice is specialty stores such as Coast Mountain Sports or Mountain Equipment Co-Op. Great selection, great products, great staff and the high prices to match. If you do not have time to buy in Canada or the selection at home is limited then there are lots of on line shops.<br>

As to what to buy, I agree dress in layers. There are different types of manmade fabrics that will keep you warm and are breathable. Polar fleece is very warm and light. Gore-tex is great but pricy. Make sure you have good socks and good boots. Something that no one has mentioned is gloves. This is very important because you do not want to have to keep taking off your gloves to work your camera. To light a pair and your hands get cold, to heavy and you cannot work the controls. I recommend using the type that the fingers are cut away but have a fold away mitten cover. (see atached photo.)<br>

<img src="http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/CanadianTire/0821776_1?$medium$&defaultImage=image_na_EN" alt="" width="160" height="160" /></p>

 

[yanzhang]

<p>Dear Michael, Rachelle and Len,<br>

Thanks very much for your advice and information. These are really helpful.<br>

Before the workshop, I will stay about one week in Edmonton. So maybe I can buy the winter gears there. I'll do more study on this issue.</p>

<p>Regards, Yan</p>

[joseph_smith3]

<p>Regarding boots, consider getting something like Neos, a boot you wear over your shoe. Look here for more info on boots and for other winter apparel.<br>

<a href="http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/All-Apparel/">http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/All-Apparel/</a></p>

<p>Joe Smith</p>