As the weather cools and we start getting ready for winter, we generally think of winterizing the rig and other equipment. This is pretty standard, and I have written about it several times before. And most of us know pretty much how to prepare our equipment for winter. This month, I’d like to write about preparing ourselves for the weather. After all, the rig won’t run itself.
The further north you operate, the more preparation and precautions you need to take. It is different on a cool day in Orlando than it is on a cool day in Plentywood, Mont. Severe cold takes some special preparations. First is clothing. The key is layering. One heavy coat won’t do it unless you have the right foundation. The first layer should be fairly thin and moisture wicking. I have some Air Force surplus 100-percent silk long johns that work well. I have told my friends about them, and several of them now wear them. One of my friends says it feels like when he wears his wife’s undies. Well … I don’t know much about that, but they work great.