OUTDOOR LIVING
Winter Wonderland — For the Well-Prepared
Duane Radford Article and Photos
Duane Radford on Gold Dome Lookout , Dawson City , Yukon , overlooking the Yukon River
As the Canadian winter sets in , it ’ s important to have a plan to enjoy the outdoors while being comfortable and safe .
Even though brevity may not be paramount , mindful preparations are essential . Get ready — “ game , set , winter ” — there ’ s around six months ahead of you , so embrace reality and make the best of it .
If you plan a winter outdoor outing , job one is to be dressed for the weather . Check the forecast and dress accordingly . This is not the time to wear sneakers . You ’ ll need winter boots with good grips and ankle support ; boots made of Thinsulate ® would be my choice . Ditto for winter hats and gloves . Dress in layers so you can add or take off clothing depending on how the day goes . While Gore-Tex ® fabric is best known for its waterproof characteristics , it is also designed to shed snow and moisture ; plus , it has windproof qualities to retain heat , which makes it ideal for pants and jackets . A base layer of polyester underwear is ideal to wick away moisture so you don ’ t get body chills , and an insulating and light-weight polar fleece vest is ideal
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