Close the Ob door, .
I basically bundle up, have a hot toddy available and hide back under the roof a bit. But it doesn't get quite as cold over here in Auckland. Now with BYE I can set it going and disappear back inside to the fire for a while.
But the cold air coming up from the south really makes for clear skies so it's worth the bit of shiver. And some nice stuff in the sky.
Yes, nothing like the feel of a cold Dobsonian in the winter months...I lived 19 years in Christchurch and used to play rugby on frosty fields, so Shellharbour is scorching in comparison...still, jacket and hot cuppa don't go astray and yes, I love the sky in colder weather, it seems sharper!
As I live in Brisbane, my winter preparations are pretty minimal - running shoes instead of bare feet, jeans instead of shorts, and a rugby shirt instead of a tee-shirt.
Maybe a beanie and a hoodie if it gets REALLY cold!
(Oh yes - a glass and a bottle of Laphroaig, with no ice!)
Sydney - but my preference is observe from one of the high locations in the Blue Mountains around 1000 -1100m above sea level. In winter its not unusual to find night-time temps dip to -5 and the wind needs to be factored in.
So.. what to wear...
- woollen beanie, my favourite is a double-knit one in black wool from NZ south island, with matching gloves as I don't have much hair left;
- Cotton shirt + Merino-mink* zip-up jacket over the top, jeans below. The merino-mink is incredibly warm yet light, and it breathes;
- In midwinter: two optional extras - around 9pm I'll slip into a pair of fine merino wool thermal underwear (from Kathmandu) under the jeans (warm as toast), and optionally a North Face jacket over the top mainly if its windy.
*do not ask what merino-mink costs. Trust me it is worth every penny. But watch it closely, there are many who will nick this if you put this down and let it out of your sight. Starting with women, fickle untrustworthy things that they are, they are very desirous of this stuff.
Roll on Winter, give me all you got ....... here I was checking out a pier location away from light pollution......
Actually these days I don a Mont Icicle Jacket, pair of skipants and Sorel Caribou boots for that warm as toast feeling
Roll on Winter, give me all you got ....... here I was checking out a pier location away from light pollution......
Actually these days I don a Mont Icicle Jacket, pair of skipants and Sorel Caribou boots for that warm as toast feeling
Ahh, if that pier is where I think it is, usually found it in the middle of the night, mid winter looking for some lost soul.. Always in a raging blizzard of course
Ahh, if that pier is where I think it is, usually found it in the middle of the night, mid winter looking for some lost soul.. Always in a raging blizzard of course
I too spent a many nights in blizzards in the vicinity of this pier. This pic was taken on a mild autumn morning walk, -15ºC with a southerly blowing.
On our return we came upon a group sheltering at Seaman's and after loaning them all our spare clothes we led them back to Charlotte's.
Getting back to Simon's question....... if you can keep your head, hands and feet warm you will have a great night, better to overdress as you're not likely to raise a sweat standing still.
I also always have a Thermos of hot coffee alongside.......
Cheers,
Matt
P.S. More recent visitors to the above pier will note it now looks like this:
25 years went fast.......
When I used to live in Canberra... midwinter observing session meant:
- thick woollen socks with thick leather boots over (toasty feet means comfort);
- fine merino wool thermals + jeans + ski pants with bib and braces,
- fine merino wool top (full length sleeves) + lumberjack cotton top (yeah i know, look like an idiot), then jumper,
- Balaclava over face and head,
- Down-filled ski parka with hood over the lot.
You could lie on the ground and stay cosy all night without needing a sleeping bag in -10 degrees.
In the upper Blue Mountains I omit the ski pants, the ski parka, balaclava, but wear a merino-mink jacket and a double-knit woollen beanie. North Face jacket optional.
BTW merino-mink is incredibly warm yet light, if you have a wind-proof shell over the top to keep the wind out the chances are this is enough anywhere in Australia.
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