Cold Weather Adaptations
The older I get, the less I can tolerate heat. You thought I was going to say cold but the reverse is true. So true, I look forward to November, December, January, and February. In fact, the worse the wind blows, the harder the sleet falls, and the closer to zero the temperature hovers, the more likely I'm likely to be out in the woods. I walk, and walk at a slow pace. But, if the temperature is much above 20, I end up caring gloves, hat, and jacket back.
Another thing I noticed. If the temperature is around 27 or so, and I have no glvoes, my hands get cold...for about 20 minutes. Then they warm up and stay warm.
I was reading somewhere that some military, Norway possibly, actually train their hands to resist the cold. The article, long lost, stated they plunged their hands into slush, took them out, let them warm, plunged them back in, let them warm, and so forth. The idea was that this somehow trained their capillaries to expand or something in the cold so their hands wouldn't freeze. Sounds a bit far-fetched but my own experiences suggest maybe we have an ability to adapt to cold greater than we imagine. If anyone has info on this Norwegian? practice, and cold weather adaptation, I would love to read it. I love the cold and bearly survive the summer. Can't say why, but I love the cold.
Another thing I noticed. If the temperature is around 27 or so, and I have no glvoes, my hands get cold...for about 20 minutes. Then they warm up and stay warm.
I was reading somewhere that some military, Norway possibly, actually train their hands to resist the cold. The article, long lost, stated they plunged their hands into slush, took them out, let them warm, plunged them back in, let them warm, and so forth. The idea was that this somehow trained their capillaries to expand or something in the cold so their hands wouldn't freeze. Sounds a bit far-fetched but my own experiences suggest maybe we have an ability to adapt to cold greater than we imagine. If anyone has info on this Norwegian? practice, and cold weather adaptation, I would love to read it. I love the cold and bearly survive the summer. Can't say why, but I love the cold.
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Reminds me of an account by Lewis and Clark of coming up on a group of Indians, nekid as jaybirds, playing in the snow. 0 -
I to, seem to remember reading somewhere, i believe in a book on survival, that the human body is adaptable to dramatic temperature changes. In a chapter about cold-weather survival the author stated that extensive studies have shown that through "training" as you described a person can learn to withstand extreme cold and actually thrive in it even if they came from an area that sees snow only when pigs fly. When you think about it, it makes sense. I recall a high school sports injury where i was required to soak my lower leg in a 6 gal bucket of ice water. the first few times it hurt and stung so bad, but after a while it was actually relaxing to me and i didnt mind it a bit.
My father was stationed in Michigan back in the day, in the Upper Peninsula, and he used to tell how his CO could took to the cold like a polar bear, though he had previously resided in Florida nearly his entire life, and he said he hated the cold at first but simply became used to it by constant exposure. I guess thats still all theory though.
Anyone with any hard facts on this matter?0 -
For CWINN:
Thanks for your observations. What got me on this topic, besides me love of Winter, was reading about W.W. II. I have read lots of stories about the number of Germans who died in the Russian winter. In addition, I read stories about American soldiers being sent to Alaska to train for cold weather warfare. The Americans were to be trained by the native Alaskans. I got to thinking, now wait a minute, the Russians live in this stuff all the time, as do the Alaskans. They must have found a way to adapt to the extreme cold. This must be true for the Swedes, Norwegians, and Finns as well. At least it would seem that way. Soooooooo, this began my investigation. Since I like the cold, and yes I have had frostbite, I want to learn more.0 -
For V35,
Is there any truth to that story about the Indians playing nekkid as jaybirds in the snow? Flesh is flesh, but if what I read is true, then there must be a way to adapt. I have heard the story about one Indian tribe taking a baby, upon birth, breaking ice on a stream or body of water, and plunging the child into that frigid water to get him used to the cold. This sounds a bit anecdotal and far fetched. I mean, how did the Indians ensure their children were only born in the winter? Anyway, let me know if that story has merit.0 -
notpars sure you can get yourself used to the cold i do it every year in the fall when it starts getting cold out, dont dress any warmer than what you can stand, only wear a light sweatshirt and keep at it until it gets colder then go to a little heavier coat.then by time we get to the 20-30 below zero with -50 to-80 windchill stuff all i need is a medium wieght jacket and bib coveralls,no long underwear and ect.
i have seen people start out looking like an eskimo first cold snap. what how much more can they wear when it gets really cold??
One thing i have found is that it is just as important or even more so to keep yourself well hydrated when very cold out. your body is using up water and energy fast when is is cold to maintain body temp and ect.
guess thats why when spring comes and it 20-30 deg out you will see me working outside without a coat on because it just to damn hot for a coat :-)
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Normally, the older you get the heavier you get. Normally, heavy people don't take to the heat well. It's that natural insulation and most of 'em don't drink enough water.
You do acclimatise but I'd rather do so in the tropics if it's all the same to ya'll.0 -
[V]Gentlemen, Lets take this TOPIC to the General Discussion Forums....
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0
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