Post by beaudro on Nov 16, 2008 13:59:38 GMT -5
This time of year I'm a little late getting to my winter hunting gear. The nights are cold enough to need the essentials, and it's time to buckle down and really get things together.
I hope some of you chime in and give your suggestions to staying warm,, but in a period correct manner.
For me, I usually start with my mocs. I use two pair , and wool socks. I also use a wool boot, it's just a piece of wool made like a moccassin. This serves as a liner if you want to call it that. They also serve as padding to help with walking on rocks.
My mocs are of two styles,, first is a Kootenai style, seen in A.J. Millers' paintings. My second is a side fold, typical of the plains indian, but they are made big enough to fit over the other pair of mocs.
First put on your wool socks, or called stockings in the day. then put on your wool liners. I slip the kootenai's on, then the side fold. Both mocs are greased with mixture of beeswax and bear fat oil. Contrary to what some beleive, the oil doesn't make them slippery, the oil will be gone after you walk around awhile,, but there is enough oil deep inside the leather to help with moisture.
I'll use wool leggings , made from a blanket. This is probably one of the most helpful items, and so easy to make.
I may wear up to three shirts, it's the layers that make the warmth were looking for.
My waistcoat, capote and or greatcoat are all wool and sure wouldn't leave home without it.
Usually i'll wear buckskin pants, under that I wear a pair of linen knee breeches. wool breeches are really nice for this.
Wool pantaloons, or pants can be worn also.
One other thing that makes a huge difference is my scarf, and if i can find my missing wool scarf it's probably the best material. We lose plenty of body heat through the neck and head , it works great to cover them up.
It's great to have a toque, workmans cap, or something of authenticity to cover your head, i still wear my felt hat. If I thought i was going to spend 12 hours in the wind and rain during winter, i would probably switch to a wool toque of somekind.
I also use a pair of beaver fur mittens, it pays off to keep the fingers from going frostbite.
I use two wool blankets, I cannot carry anymore than that on pack, or on my back. I also carry a buffalo hide , not real nicely tanned, but good enough to sleep on.
First I put down an oil cloth, which helps to keep the moisture from the ground coming up into my bedroll. Then lay out the buff hide, and make sure my clothing is dry before i cover up and sleep.
The very main thing, is never run out of firewood, and always keep some kindling around in case you lose your fire. I might spend the first few hours at camp just dragging up firewood. Then i'll take some kindling, dry it out on the fire real good, then roll it up in my bedroll.
I'm inviting anyone else to chime in on this, but keep it PC if you can.
I hope some of you chime in and give your suggestions to staying warm,, but in a period correct manner.
For me, I usually start with my mocs. I use two pair , and wool socks. I also use a wool boot, it's just a piece of wool made like a moccassin. This serves as a liner if you want to call it that. They also serve as padding to help with walking on rocks.
My mocs are of two styles,, first is a Kootenai style, seen in A.J. Millers' paintings. My second is a side fold, typical of the plains indian, but they are made big enough to fit over the other pair of mocs.
First put on your wool socks, or called stockings in the day. then put on your wool liners. I slip the kootenai's on, then the side fold. Both mocs are greased with mixture of beeswax and bear fat oil. Contrary to what some beleive, the oil doesn't make them slippery, the oil will be gone after you walk around awhile,, but there is enough oil deep inside the leather to help with moisture.
I'll use wool leggings , made from a blanket. This is probably one of the most helpful items, and so easy to make.
I may wear up to three shirts, it's the layers that make the warmth were looking for.
My waistcoat, capote and or greatcoat are all wool and sure wouldn't leave home without it.
Usually i'll wear buckskin pants, under that I wear a pair of linen knee breeches. wool breeches are really nice for this.
Wool pantaloons, or pants can be worn also.
One other thing that makes a huge difference is my scarf, and if i can find my missing wool scarf it's probably the best material. We lose plenty of body heat through the neck and head , it works great to cover them up.
It's great to have a toque, workmans cap, or something of authenticity to cover your head, i still wear my felt hat. If I thought i was going to spend 12 hours in the wind and rain during winter, i would probably switch to a wool toque of somekind.
I also use a pair of beaver fur mittens, it pays off to keep the fingers from going frostbite.
I use two wool blankets, I cannot carry anymore than that on pack, or on my back. I also carry a buffalo hide , not real nicely tanned, but good enough to sleep on.
First I put down an oil cloth, which helps to keep the moisture from the ground coming up into my bedroll. Then lay out the buff hide, and make sure my clothing is dry before i cover up and sleep.
The very main thing, is never run out of firewood, and always keep some kindling around in case you lose your fire. I might spend the first few hours at camp just dragging up firewood. Then i'll take some kindling, dry it out on the fire real good, then roll it up in my bedroll.
I'm inviting anyone else to chime in on this, but keep it PC if you can.