Page 60 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2021

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energy gel and gummies, electrolytes, hand warmers, an emer-
gency blanket, and an emergency bivy sack. My unplanned night
out isn’t going to be the most comfortable one I’ve spent in the
backcountry, but I’ll survive just fine.
You also hear a lot of talk about “layering” for the winter. Layering is
important, but getting the layers right is more important! The biggest
mistake I see people make over and over is wearing too much. They
think that because they are heading into the snow they need to bundle
up. While this is true if you are going to be stationary in the snow it isn’t
if you are moving. When you are moving you generate heat. The faster
you move, the more heat you generate. I’m currently wearing more in
my office typing this than I wear while backcountry skiing. I have those
big puffy, warm layers with me in my pack for when I stop and take a
break. Think about what you wear hiking or trail running when it is 50
degrees. You probably wear a pair of pants and long sleeve shirt when
hiking. When trail running you probably wear a pair of shorts and a tee
shirt. When you are skiing it is only about 20 degrees colder and you
are exerting just as much effort, if not more. You don’t really need that
much more clothing for while you are moving. You only need the extra
layers for when you stop. Your goal should be that you do not sweat
and stay damp. Dress in breathable and light enough layers so that any
sweat evaporates before you get damp. When you stop for a break, take
that puffy coat out of your pack, put it over everything you are wearing
before you start to cool off. It is way easier to stay warm than it is to get
warm after cooling off.

Bryant Helgeland is the owner/operator of Mountain Provisions, on the
Plaza in Ashland. Active in several outdoor sports (Telemark skiing, XC
Skiing, Road and Mountain biking, Hiking, Backpacking, Kayaking), he
has been a seminar speaker on many of those activities. He attended a
NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) semester trip to Chile shortly
after college. During high school he was a counselor at YMCA outdoor
camps. Contact him at bryant@ashlandmountainprovisions.com or the
store’s Facebook page.

58 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | winter 2021