Biggest thing to survive in a cold weather environment, LAYERS!!!
Bring a few layers that you can take off and put back on as needed. Don't bundle up so much that you break a sweat...As we used to say in the Infantry...stay "comfortably cool" and you'll be just fine!
Drink lots of water...this is often overlooked but proper hydration allows your blood to flow through your body properly and that is the key to heat distribution. Coffee and tea and cocoa (and Fireball!!!) are great, but hydrate with H20 as well!
A good pair of gloves, a good beanie, and a scarf / neckwarmer / SHEMAUG!!!! are great! You lose up to 40% of your body heat through your head and it is important to keep that heat in and not let it escape...especially for the "follically challenged" like myself!
Another survival tip, and this goes for wet weather as well as cold weather, Cotton kills! Cotton clothes, which most of us where all the time, soak up sweat and water and moisture and don't allow for the "wicking" of water away from the body...when your clothes are wet, your body is wet, and that leads to poor heat distribution. Wool is a great cold weather fabric for clothes. Invest in a few nice pairs of wool socks and to keep the Toesies nice and toasty! There are many options for clothing, so do some research and get something you like. Getting your denim jeans wet in january and then having to be outside in the below freezing temps is a recipe for disaster!
If anyone has any other questions or would like to discuss experiences, please feel free to hit me up. I am by no means saying my methods are the best, and each person has their own tricks that I'm sure work perfectly for them.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in January where we can all shiver and get mild hypothermia together!
