cold weather

[skyfool 0]

I've been jumping since last March. I did my aff in Sebastian, FL and the weather was warm enough when I came home to New York so I jumped all summer. I was lucky enough to spend the whole fall season living and working in Florida so I stayed current and did my last jump on December 11th before coming back to New York. Its really cold here and I figured that I would wait until March, get recurrency training and jump again. But now I'm getting itchy on the ground and I'm interested in winter jumping. Other than neoprene gloves, what do you wear? Do you get full altitude? Do you need a full face sheild?

Blue Skies to all

[kallend 2,027]

I've done quite a few winter jumps in Chicago (well below zero F at altitude). I use the neoprene gloves as you mentioned, with a thin cotton liner. I generally wear several thin layers of clothing under my jumpsuit, a neck warmer, and thick socks. I wear a full face helmet and haven't had a problem with it fogging/freezing up, although others have had this problem. I've seen a guy with goggles have them freeze to his face and eyelids when his eyes watered.

Yes, we go to full altitude. One day last winter we did it with no door on the Otter, although I wouldn't recommend that.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[nubain1 0]

I typically wear gloves, a sweatshirt under my jumpsuit and a full face helmet when I jump.It gets pretty cold here in colorado.At least to me it's cold.I have'nt been here long enough to truly get acclimated.But I have had no problems jumping in the cold.I'm usually complaining about the cold on the ground saying how bad I'm freezing and how crazy it is to jump when it's so cold.Then when I get up and get out I don't even notice the cold from the excitement.And it feels a lot warmer on the ground when you get back down.

[billvon 2,996]

I use regular gloves, a full face helmet, thin polypro longjohns and a polypro turtleneck under my jumpsuit. This works for even very cold weather (-30F exit temps) without too much pain. Faceplate fogging may be an issue; if so, you can take the faceplate out and just use regular goggles. The coverage of your chin and cheeks still helps a lot.

[AggieDave 6]

I have a couple sets of the US military Poly-pro underwear, the ones with the zip up turtle neck top, those work GREAT. I don't use a full-face, but when its really cold, I have a Poly-Pro Baclava that keeps my head and face very warm. I haven't had any problems, but then again, the coldest weather I've jumped in so far was when it was about 14F on the ground, so you may be up against more then that.

Oh, btw, the stuff I was talking about is available at just about any Army/Navy store. I prefer US Cav (http://www.uscav.com) or Brigade Quatermasters (http://www.actionsports.com).

Good luck!

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[rigging65 0]

A lot of folks out here use single or two piece DiveSkins (basically like rash guards for surfing or diving). They're VERY thin and seem to provide a good base layer.

One item of interest that bears discussing though...if you're going to wear thicker gloves than normal (or if you don't normally wear gloves), FOR GOD'S SAKE PRACTICE PULLING ON THE GROUND!!! It seems like once every winter/spring we have someone have a total because they can't find their main deployment handle with their gloved hand. Since not a lot of people wear gloves here during Season, when they do it sometimes proves to be a problem.

Personally, I wear gloves all the time...saves my knuckles from my slider. Plus, this way I'm already used to the feel of everything while wearing gloves, so the winter isn't such a big deal.

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[SkySlut 0]

you can also put on latex gloves underneath your regular gloves. It keeps your body heat in. I would recommend not to put them on too early, because if you start sweating...they can freeze on the way down. That has usually worked for me, plus I dont have to wear big bulky gloves that may inhibit pulling. I guess some of the 300 way participants were doing that as well. I

[JamesNahikian 0]

Snow jumps can be some of the best ones, especially those long winter leaps from tiny Cessna's into the snowy abyss. Plus afterwards there's hot chocolate with schnaps in it.

Add extra cover to your hands, head and neck and you should stay plenty toasty until touchdown. This is my Winter practice and it has kept me warm even though I wear only Teva's and ThorLow's on my feet on into the deepest snow.

Personally, I don't bother with neoprene. Instead, I wear North Face "Wind Stopper" shells (without insulation) under my summer gloves. My hands stay warm enough to operate my handles and toggles, and there isn't much bulk.

Get out there!

D. James Nahikian
CHICAGO