Well it wasn't the arctic circle but it was close today! Deanna & I were invited to a huge horse race event. We knew to bring the best snacks & decent food and hang with the wide assortment of folks who came to be seen. Its an unusual experience - some are there to be with freinds and neighbors, others are there to see the horses, others are there to do a light gamble on the race and a few are there to show off their carriages and antique cars. I knew it was going to be cold - but didn't make any mistakes about the wind chill. Well I would not be hiking, so a good time to test some gear! Why? Winds were gusting past 50 miles per hour toppling glasses full of drink at ground level.

Winter Hiking Gear! Here was the layers

Bergalene (EMS) or Instant Shield (LL Bean) underwear (grey fuzzy and thin... no cotton)
300 weight fleece Polartec (North Face with rain top)
Gortex Outerwear xcr & fleece beenie and thick socks - no long johns.
double layered Cabelas gloves about 400+ weight... (IF you picked up a block of ice you cant tell)

6+ hours later Just sitting in the wind..... PRICELESS!







Well my back got a little cold...
Eagles in first place.... killed Huston.

should have tossed this into the "how do I keep warm thread?"