misterx

It was the day after Christmas, and I had spent much of the morning straightening the house, cleaning Storm's room, playing with said child, and so on. And now, I *really* wanted to get out and take some photos. I knew there was snow on top of Buffalo Mtn and I figured that was as good a plan as any. Unfortunately, when I arrived at the entrance the gate was shut and locked. The forest service closes this park WAY too often. Anyway. Plan B was to head to Roan Mtn, so off I went.

I cleared Elizabethton and was thrilled to see the top of the mountains lost in clouds... this should be good. Unfortunately, I was racing daylight, and losing. As the road climbed, the driving conditions worsened. The road had been mostly clear but as I neared the top there were areas of drifting snow, not to mention big old frozen slush patches. I passed four SUV's stuck in snowbanks. To make matters worse, any warmth was fading along with the fading light, and the clouds I had been admiring turned into an ice fog, freezing to everything it touched. The wind was starting to shove the car around. I reached the upper parking lot, not the one at Cloudland mind you, that gate was shut, but the one below that gate. I got my tripod and sling pack, put on my hat and gloves, zipped my jacket, and headed into the woods. The snow was anywhere from shoetop to knee deep, and between the fog and the wind blowing snow everywhere, visibility was only about 30 feet or so.

I only went about a hundred yards. My shoes were already getting packed with snow, my jeans were wet, and my exposed hand was starting to hurt. This is stupid, thought I. The remaining light is fading, the temperature is dropping, and I'm heading off into the woods in house clothes.

Now, I know how to stay warm, but I don't have all the things I need. So I did a little shopping today.

The main thing I was lacking was a pair of warm boots. I have tried several kinds, but the warmest boots I've ever owned were a pair of Sorel Caribou II... as pictured to the right. I have stood on an icy lake for hours in a pair of these and stayed toasty warm. Mine however bit the dust several years ago and never got replaced, due to the $100 price tag. Well, lucky me, Walmart now sells a no-name brand... same construction, same thick felt liner, and only $30. So I got those. I already have some wind and water proof pullover pants. I have the coat covered too... an air force parka from many years ago, with real wolf fur around the hood.

I did need some gloves though, as mine are way too thick to operate the camera with. I found the ideal thing, a pair of convertible glove/mittens. They are similar to the ones pictured here, except I could only find them in realtree camoflage. So now I can't see my hands.