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Wellness

    Making the Most of Canadian Winters | Part II

    by Junelle Mah January 6, 2021
    written by Junelle Mah
    Sweaters, jackets, mittens, socks, touques, oh my!

    Happy New Year and welcome back! So far, our early weeks of winter have been remarkably mild and I hope it’s been a good incentive to get folks out and about. In the event that the weather does dip into the -20, -30, –neveryoumind degrees Celsius, we continue on with Part II of our winter layering tutorial. Our agenda includes how those layers can be applied to cold weather activities and the necessity of accessories for your extremities. Bonus Material Alert: my former retail colleague and outdoor expert, Scott Sutherland, shares his layering experiences. Miss out on Part I of this blog? No problem, we’ve got you covered (pun definitely intended).

    Re-touque!…errr, Recap!
    Part I of our blog introduced the three kinds of layers and the fibres that should make up the fabric they are made of. Moisture management (yes, that would be sweat) and heat retention are the goals of proper layering for cold weather activities in order to keep you comfortable. This will help to ensure that we keep our cozy little microclimate for our bodies running at an optimum temperature, which is a lovely 37 degrees Celsius (give or take 0.5 degrees). Items should fit close to the body, but not be restrictive.

    Base LayerNext to skin, primary function is moisture management.Made of polyester or wool.
    Mid LayerApplied on top of base layer, primary function is insulating.Shell is polyester, interior fill is polyester or down.
    Outer LayerExterior shell, primary functions are sealing in heat and protecting from environmental elements.Made of polyester, nylon. Generally have a durable water repellant (DWR) coating.
    The three main types of layers and best kinds of fibres

    The more physical exertion your body experiences, the more likely your body will generate heat and sweat. Great examples of this are winter running and nordic skiing. This will mean using a lighter combination of layers, or elimination of the outer layer, which can seem daunting in colder temperatures. Short walks in the city or a casual hike on the paths in the River Valley (it’s an Edmonton and Camrose can’t-miss) may require less exertion than a run or ski, and could use warmer layers as a result. Everyone is different. Getting the right combination of layers takes a bit of trial and error to determine what works best for you, but it will make a difference in the overall quality of your experience. As I mentioned in Part I, if you’re a little wussy about the cold like I am, overdress and bring a little backpack to shove unwanted layers in mid-walk.

    Speaking of touques…(and other extremities)
    In all forms of extremity protection (touques, headbands, balaclavas, tubes, scarves, gaiters, mitts, gloves) items should fit close to your body; too loose of a fit will mean your sweat has no where to go, and heat cannot be trapped; too tight and you risk impairing your circulation and causing major discomfort. Check their fabric content to make sure they are made of either wool or synthetic materials; no cotton! Choose whatever design suits your needs the best (the activity, the weather). There are numerous variations on the market that can mimic the same weights and styles as base, mid and outer layers. My personal preferences are variations of touques and mittens, and I will never leave the house in the wintertime without some version of them.

    My winter frolic on Boxing Day 2016. Photo: Jun Mah Studio

    Footwear
    Proper winter footwear will help maintain heat and improve your grip in cold temperatures (much like winter tires are recommended for winter driving). The rubber composites are designed to flex and maintain traction in colder temperatures, and are designed with more aggressive lugs to help shed snow. Winter footwear is generally water resistant, if not waterproof, and they have better insulating properties in the linings and footbeds to improve heat retention. For short hikes you could probably get away with a summertime waterproof hiking boot, but again it is up to your discretion in terms of the outside temperature, the duration of your hike and what terrain conditions are (ie: bare sidewalks with minimal snow & ice versus traipsing through the river valley in snow up to your nostrils). All this is better supported when you wear synthetic or wool socks, not cotton, to help with moisture management (just like the layers for the rest of your body).

    Personal Preferences are Key
    A big ol’ sack of thanks (and a future batch of perogies) to my friend and former retail colleague, Scott Sutherland, for his willingness to weigh in on his own layering experiences. Scott is one of those avid outdoorsy types who makes the most of every kind of weather in all four Canadian seasons. A competitive road cyclist, happy-go-lucky camper/hiker and enthusiastic nordic skier, Scott utilizes layers on every adventure he goes on to stay comfortable and safe.

    “I heat up and sweat pretty easily, so for high output activities I use synthetic base and mid layers to get me through most of the year,” Scott explains, “I usually don’t use heavy shells (outer layers) because it means that I will usually cook myself, and get away with using a light windbreaker to help shed the elements. If my activity level is low, like while sitting around a campsite, I’ll adjust my mid layer from synthetic to down for increased heat retention and coziness. “

    • Scott with multiple layers and an iced up beard after riding a very chilly Banff Fondo in 2015.
    • A victory (of sorts) ski lap around Moab Lake.
    Photos submitted by Scott Sutherland

    Layers are your armour!
    Safety is something that cannot be emphasized enough when adventuring, and proper clothing layers will help protect you. As we get deeper into the winter season, and deeper into the pandemic, it is predicted that more folks will be taking advantage of outdoor recreational opportunities like winter hiking, cross-country skiing, and (my personal fave) snowshoeing. I recently came across an article on CBC that reported on the rescue of three improperly dressed (frozen jeans and sneakers) hikers after they went off-trail on Mt. Fromme in North Vancouver.

    Scott and some fellow colleagues went on an afternoon hike to Burstall Pass in mid-July 2014. It was their preparedness with clothing that made the difference when trouble hit and there was no shelter available to protect them. “It was sunny and somewhat decent weather going in. As we got closer to the summit things clouded over and snowed,” he explains, “The weather changed really quickly and it started to show signs of a nastier storm threatening to come through. It got to the point where we had to decide if we were going to continue or have to make a quick exit. Luckily I had a decent amount of layers with me in my bag – thankfully – so everything worked out okay.” A lack of shelter from the elements meant that Scott and the crew had to rely on the items on their backs to help protect them from hypothermia and illness.

    • Scott at the start of his Burstall Pass Hike.
    • Scott two hours later on the same hike.
    Photos submitted by Scott Sutherland

    Additional Considerations
    The more time you can spend focusing on the scenery or the activity you are partaking in, the better the experience. Clothing is a big piece of the puzzle, and I hope this series has given you some helpful tips to help you enjoy your Canadian winter. Be sure to pack a snack and a beverage, keep your cell phone charged and in an inner pocket to stay warm (cell phone batteries will dramatically decline in cold weather) and bring along some company for some socially-distanced adventures. Pack a selfie stick so that you can get everyone in-frame and then throw some pictorial evidence of your brave adventures up on Instagram when you get home!

    Thanks for reading! This blog series was inspired by a presentation I created for students and staff while working at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus. In 2019, thanks to generous donations from the community, the Library partnered with the Augustana Campus Recreation and Athletics Departments to support the opening of the Dr. Garry and Dorothy Gibson Nordic Ski Library. The updated version of this presentation is available for download below.

    UAA_UAL_LayerHowTo_update2021Download

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  • Making the Most of Canadian Winters | Part I

    by Junelle Mah December 22, 2020
    by Junelle Mah December 22, 2020

    Ahhh, Canadian winter has finally arrived! There is nothing like that quiet, surreal, peaceful vibe that settles all around as snow falls around you…until the wind rolls through, destroys your tranquility and forces you inside. It’s not just the discomfort of winter conditions that keep us from exploring the outdoors. Dressing inappropriately for the cold can lead to serious illness, frostbite and hypothermia. With so much beauty and potential for enjoyment in…

  • Introducing the IOR Colouring Book

    by Erin Sanderman December 17, 2020
    by Erin Sanderman December 17, 2020

    As the fall term comes to an end, and we draw closer to the end of this challenging year, everyone deserves to take a break, a breath and do something that brings us joy. For some of us that might mean an invigorating outdoor adventure, while others may prefer some cozy, quiet time with a good book, perhaps even… a colouring book. If you are amongst the artistically inclined, or long for…

  • Taking 2020 Back From the Pandemic

    by Sonya Leung December 15, 2020
    by Sonya Leung December 15, 2020

    This year the University of Alberta’s Winter Closure will span from December 25, 2020 to January 3, 2021. Here is where you can find dates of closure and resumption of our library services. PANDEMIC — is the word that defines the year 2020. I know I am not alone when I say this year has been HARD. That is why I propose that we take the 10 days of Winter Closure as…

  • De-Stressing Tips from Library Staff | Part II

    by Junelle Mah December 4, 2020
    by Junelle Mah December 4, 2020

    It is widely known that library staff are always willing to offer helpful tips and advice…call it an occupational hazard! Lucky for us, we received such a wealth of self-care tips from our colleagues that we had to create a second part to our Fall 2020 Staff De-stressing Tips blog! To catch up on Part I, take a peek here… otherwise sit back, relax, and enjoy Part II! Eva, Information Services Specialist…

  • De-Stressing Tips from Library Staff | Part I

    by Junelle Mah December 3, 2020
    by Junelle Mah December 3, 2020

    First, a giant shout-out to everyone for all the hard work done thus far in our Fall 2020 semester. We are truly proud of you! We invite you to take some time to rest, relax, and focus on a little self-care before you battle on to end this term on a strong note. Our lovely library staffers offer up their de-stressing tips in Part I of a two-part special! Elisabet, Information Services…

  • A COLLECTION OF HOLIDAY FLOWERS: FESTIVE PLANTS TO COZY UP YOUR BOOK NOOK

    by wpadmin November 26, 2020
    by wpadmin November 26, 2020

    This post is written by a guest blogger, Hailey MacMillan. Hailey is a practicum student who comes to us from MacEwan’s Library and Information Technology program. She is currently working with us as a part of the Library Publishing and Digital Production Services team. Hailey’s favorite reading nook is her living room loveseat, which sits by a south-facing window. Hailey likes to read thrillers and suspense novels, but will occasionally throw in…

  • More (Virtual) Dogs in the Library sessions!

    by Erin Sanderman November 18, 2020
    by Erin Sanderman November 18, 2020

    Good news! We’ve added two more Dogs in the Library virtual sessions to help ease some late-fall term woes. We invite all members of the UAlberta community to take a break and visit with our four-legged pals from CAAWLS and their humans over Zoom. Bookmark this post and come back on Tuesday, November 24 between noon to 1:30pm and then again on Tuesday, December 8th, same pup time, same pup channel, to…

  • Setting up a super study space

    by Eva Romanick October 20, 2020
    by Eva Romanick October 20, 2020

    As midterms approach, students are looking for a place to do some serious studying before exams or hunkerdown when writing their papers. Since coming to the library isn’t the option it was in years past, we wanted offer some advice on how to create your own personal study space… We’ve got some tips and tricks to bring the studious atmosphere back to your home study space. Firstly, location, location, location… somewhere you…

  • Accessing campus mental health and wellness supports, virtually

    by Erin Sanderman October 8, 2020
    by Erin Sanderman October 8, 2020

    University has never been an easy ride under the best of circumstances, and this last year has been… well, a lot to take. I think most of us would admit that current events have given our psyches a walloping. We are fortunate that the University of Alberta has a number of resources and services in place to offer support when life becomes too overwhelming. Since World Mental Health Day is this Saturday…

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