Page 73 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2018

READY FOR WINTER

Southern Oregon...a Great Four-Season
Place for an Outdoor Enthusiast

BRYANT HELGELAND OF MOUNTAIN PROVISIONS
LAYERING
outhern Oregon is a great place to be an outdoor
S enthusiast! We truly have four seasons for outdoor Don’t forget that layering is the key to comfort. Dress for
enjoyment, and each one is spectacular. Autumn this year your activity level. Plan to be chilly starting out. If you are
was one of the most beautiful I’ve experienced in my 16 not chilly you’re way overdressed. I talk with people all the
years here, and winter is knocking at the door. Predictions time who think they need more insulation to stay warm,
are that we’re going to have another stellar snow season. but the reason they are cold is that they were overdressed
from the start and are now dealing with too much moisture
With that in mind, it’s time to get your winter toys out of trapped in their clothing.
the closet, dust them off, and get them ready for an enjoy-
able season just ahead. Cotton makes the problem worse. If cotton plays into your
layering system, leave it for the summer. Once damp, it
What to do? will make you colder than not even wearing that layer.
SKIS & BOOTS WHAT TO DO...WHERE TO DO IT
Skis bases are porous and need to be waxed. Wax helps The fun stuff… what to do, and where to go to do it.
make them go fast, but it also keeps them healthy. Think of
it like putting moisturizer on your skin. Whatever your winter recreation of choice (Alpine skis,
Telemark skis, snowboard, splitboard, or Alpine touring
Downhill skis need to be sharpened—sharp edges make skis), Mount Ashland is a must. Don’t be scared off by the
turning and stopping possible. That’s a good thing. weather in the parking lot. It’s typically the worst spot on
the mountain. The backcountry opportunities there are
Bindings should be checked to make sure everything is phenomenal.
in working order. You don’t want them coming off at the
wrong time or, worse yet, not coming off at all. Other gems: Brown Mountain or Mount Bailey (where
you can hike for your turns or ride in the Snowcat). Crater
Boots must still fit correctly. If they have a moldable liner, Lake should be on the list, too, but avoid the temptation to
definitely get them fitted by a professional. It makes all the ski inside the crater. At Mount McLoughlin, be sure to stay
difference in the world! Unhappy feet make for uncom- on the correct side of the ridge or you’ll be in for a much
fortable days on the slopes and a lot less fun. And blisters longer hike.
too!
As for cross-country ski opportunities, definitely check
WATERPROOF GEAR the Southern Oregon Nordic Club’s website (onc.org/
Waterproof gear should be washed and retreated with a sonc/) for updated trail grooming reports and trail
soap specifically designed for this type of gear often. Early maps. Buck Prairie 2 is my favorite because my furry friend
on, I made the mistake of thinking washing technical cloth- Nanook wouldn’t let me back in the house if I went skiing
ing less often would prolong the life and performance of without her!
the garment. The exact opposite is the case as long as wash-
ing is done correctly. When it comes to snowshoeing, this part of the world is
your oyster. Think of your favorite summer hike at altitude
Traditional detergent leaves a residue on the garment that and go enjoy it from a whole new perspective. A pair of
attracts water. If water no longer beads on the surface poles will make the walking much easier, safer and more
fabric, the garment may still be waterproof but no longer enjoyable. Not only do they help with balance, they make
breathable. This leads to tons of condensation on the both uphill and downhill efforts much easier on your knees.
inside, leading people to think they have a leak. They also happen to be a lot cheaper to replace than knees!

winter 2018 | www.southernoregonmagazine.com 71