Cold weather advice...needed

[PHXLavaVibe]

Hello guys and gals!I mentioned in another post that I will be traveling to Denver CO from Phoenix AZ and in anticipation I am looking for your advice as to acclimating myself for the extream temperature change.I have never been in a climate colder than 40 degrees F. during the day. I looked online this morning at weather.com and noticed that Denver was at -6 F around 9am. That is right around the time my flight will be landing this Saturday. BRRRRRRR!Could some of you cold weather survivors please lend me some advice as to what i should wear to keep warm. I plan on going to Walmart today to pick up some thermal underwear, a beanie and some gloves. What is the proper way to layer on the clothes? Should I wear multiple pairs of socks and my combat boots? I don't plan on being outside more than necessary but would like to be prepaired for anything.

[RIT]

No need for long underwear at -6F, unless you plan to spend the whole day outside. The cold isn't that bad by itself, it is the wind combined with the cold that sux. Get Polartec gloves, a knit hat, and a hoodie under a jacket should be fine.keep moving and you'll be fine.

[northvibe]

I do think long underwear JUST IN CASE is a good idea. Um a good hat, maybe a scarf, and good gloves. Also do not forget comfortable WARM boots that are good grippers. nothing sucks like cold feet and sliding all over. But like RIT said, if you are just walking from car to house or car to store, just a jacket, hat and gloves will work. Its really the wind that gets you.Keep a extra blanket and emergency things in the car if that car comes with too...

[PHXLavaVibe]

Thanks guys. I will probably be outside for a little while helping load up the moving truck if necessary. Maybe a little bit of snow play too. I gotta hit my neices with a couple snow balls! I am more concerned about being stranded outside working on a flat tire or something.

[PHXLavaVibe]

Wow! You guys truly do deliver in rain, sleet, snow, and hail. I gotta give it up to you for putting yourself throught that kind of torture. Hopefully you come accross a few nice gifts from people along your routes, not to mention a really big Christmas bonus!Thanks for the advice on what to wear!

[keithvibe]

all i am going to say is look in to http://www.underarmour.com/sho...2-050h ... 3-050There is a reason why the army issues it.

[Raven]

You've never been in weather colder than 40°F, man do I envy you.

[kunkstyle]

Under armour's good stuff.Unless you're planning on going skiing, a good sweater or hoodie, toque, and mitts should be sufficient (and of course a warm coat). Noses can be a problem. I prefer the neck tubes over a regular scarf. Or a balaclava, just don't walk into a bank with it. As far as socks go (or any clothing for that matter), stay away from cotton. It absorbs water and doesn't dry. When you're wet you're cold. Merino wool is great for socks. Beats the heck out of multiple layers. -20(C) isn't too bad. We had -35 the other night when I was back home visiting for Christmas last week. That was without the windchill. You're going to be more prepared for winter than most people in denver I bet. As far as the car goes, take a big candle, and some light anywhere matches (waterproof), booster cables, and a roll of toilet paper. And get some windshield washer fluid that is -40 compatible. I've got the summer stuff in mine still and it froze the nozzles off.@13Vibe03 : I feel for you. I work 12 hour shifts and on bad days most of that is outside. We have to wear fire retardant clothing too, which makes warmth options limited. Good luck with all the christmas deliveries!

[ramenboy...]

cold is cold. whether its just hanging out during the snow, or you're ice climbing or mountaineering.whatever you do, don't wear cotton. it absorbs your sweat, and keeps it so you can't warm up. dress in layers, in synthetics:a base layer will wick the sweat away,a lofty liner like fleece will keep the body warm and move the moister away from you, and a breatheable water proof/wind proof layer will let the moisture evaporate and keep the wind away.if you have to wear a natural fabric, wool will keep you warm even if it gets a little wet.i skipped around, but that's about it. you'll do fine.enjoy colorado!!!jvcmt rainier 2001longs peak 2003ice climbing since 2000

[DarkSpork]

Here's what I tend to wear when its below 0 (besides underwear and a t shirt):-Polypropylene pants and long sleeve (on top of the underwear and shirt)-Regular slacks/jeans on top of that-A warm wind blocking jacket-Gloves with a warm liner (mine have thinsulate)-A thick knit cap (mine has thinsulate)-A face mask/scarf-Thick socks (wool works)-BootsWhat makes the cold cold is the wind, try to protect yourself from the wind by not exposing much skin to it.

[tribalman]

haha. at -6 i finally put on the winter coat. i usually wear, a pair of cotton socks, jeans, t-shirt, and hoody. summer attire; cottons socks, jeans, t-shirt, hoddy(sans hoody if above 90).just be careful. you also don't want to have to many layers on. if you get too warm you will sweat and it can freeze at the lower layers and cause you to still freeze. i would also say don't forget the orange juice. it's cold and flu season and seeing as how you aren't used to the actual cold you will probably get sick. Vitamin C will help your immune system recover faster.

[PHXLavaVibe]

These are some really good suggestions! Thank you very much!!! Right now i am pretty much terrified of this trip. I am being thrown into this situation with very little experience and I am really starting to get worried. The weather is turning for the worst and as you can probably guess i have never driven in the snow or on ice for that matter. I can't help but think that my brother is a complete Dumb --- for flying me out there and expecting me to drive the moving truck back here. I must however note that when the ticket was bought and the plans were made, the weather forcast for this weekend was clear!I have driven moving trucks several times...it's just the weather conditions that scare the crap out of me. Although, I just checked http://www.weather.com and it still shows "Few Snow Showers" for Denver. What worries me is that it calls for one day of snow, one day of sun, one day of snow, one day of sun... Which tells me that the snow will be melting one day and turning to solid ice the next. Perfect driving conditions for the in-experienced!Flagstaff AZ is pretty nasty right now too which we will be passing through on our trip. On the local news last night they were saying that Flagstaff was expected to get 30" of snow overnight. I know all the highways and major roads will be plowed but I doubt all the mountain passes along the way will be.Am I just freaking out here, or do I have reason for my concern?

[kunkstyle]

You might be freaking out a bit, but I also grew up driving in those conditions so I'm used to it. I'd be more worried about flagstaff if they actually get 30" of snow. If that's overnight the plows won't be keeping up. However weather forecasters are about as accurate as stock analysts so you might not see any. Depends when you'll be driving through. If it's next week, then you don't need to get worked up over what they got last night.Based on the temps, you shouldn't see too much ice. The road temps are warmer than ambient, so just because it's below zero doesn't mean ice is forming right away. And I would assume they plow and salt in Denver as well (not sure there, just assuming). Keep the speed down a bit, pick the more traveled lanes, and don't be aggressive on the brake or throttle. And if you're uncomfortable driving in the conditions you're driving in, tell your brother that.

[DarkSpork]

Quote, originally posted by PHXLavaVibe »i have never driven in the snow or on ice for that matter...Am I just freaking out here, or do I have reason for my concern?Last winter was my first time driving in the snow (I grew up in California and joined the military last year). It isn't nearly as hard as I expected. Just slow down and take it easy, that's the only advice that anybody who grew up around the stuff had to offer me. Moving trucks are heavy so shouldn't have much issue with traction. Just make sure you accelerate slow, turn slow and leave yourself plenty of room to stop.

[PHXLavaVibe]

Well, today is the day! I am just about to leave for the airport. From all my checking online...I think my fears are gone. It looks like the only place I might encounter bad driving conditions is up near Flagstaff. Thanks agian everyone for your advice. I will start a new topic when I get back and share my photos and experiences.

[kunkstyle]

Quote, originally posted by PHXLavaVibe »I will start a new topic when I get back and share my photos and experiences.Looking forward to that! Good luck battling mother nature. Enjoy the trip to Denver.