The Weather Thread.

[J.A.F.O]

My main reason for loving and promoting it is that fuzzy soft odour free comfort. I have pretty much given up on my hardshell pit zips because the full wool setup seems to wick so well and feel so nice even when wet I just can't be bothered. I am currently looking for a pit zip free hardshell to complete my technological regression.

Iv'e been pretty saturated in wool and stayed warm. A good fleece is definitely worth the expense.

It may pay you to go all the way back, to when extreme outdoor clothing was lighter and more comfortable, and just as effective.

Another piece of advice: don't overlook silk. Animal sourced protein fibres for the win!

I'm backing Wags on this one. One of my relatives had a very nice silk scarf(?) The guage of it was really thick from what I recall. Not like what you find nowadays. Anyways it was like instant heat! As an ankle biter I was amazed.

Nowadays I buy my cold weather gear from http://www.northernoutfitters.com. Nothing short of outstanding. There isn't anything like being in a third world country when all your troops are shivering with their standard military issue, but you had the forethought to prepare ahead of time.

[Takechanpoo]

its a bit surpurising for me that gaijin dudes care about winter clothes so much.
ive ever thought their northern-sea-lion-like blubber is thick enough to put up with japans not-so-cold winter.

saimaa_seal.jpg

[wagyl]

That's a great outfit. I could never let myself go that regressive retro but I would love a jacket like that for daily winter wear. Very surprising to hear it was lighter. I remember the old scratchy wool being leaden when wet. From the sounds of it it might have been quite posh material. I will definitely look into a gabardine winter coat after reading that, but for the North American Wet Coast nothing beats a simple Gore-tex shell set. Where I ski and jauntily tramp it is simply too wet and windy too often to think about disposing of such a simple and elegant piece.

So are you sliding much or mostly walking and shuffling? It looks like it could be a banner year for snow this winter here in Japan. Whistler and such are stinking as badly as they did last year at this time. Nothing to go home for yet.

Experience has taught me that he who tries to predict a season's snow is a fool, and all the little folk stories around here like how high up the tree the praying mantis are laying their eggs as an indication of the next season's snowfall don't really have high accuracy. However, the season has started earlier and has started in earnest. As I said earlier, the indications are that the Pacific side may have more snow than usual this year.

By the way, your Montbell items are wool blend, which might make them less durable. You pay more for 100% fine wool, but I think the benefit is there.

I walk up, then slide down. Then, if possible, skinnydip.

[Coligny]

its a bit surpurising for me that gaijin dudes care about winter clothes so much.
ive ever thought their northern-sea-lion-like blubber is thick enough to put up with japans not-so-cold winter.

saimaa_seal.jpg

Your mom i suppose ?

[kurogane]

Experience has taught me that he who tries to predict a season's snow is a fool.........

You forgot the one where more stink bugs falling early means a long, cold one, but yes. Last winter in NA ended quite nicely but started so badly a lot of us lost our mojo. I didn't see those weren't 100% wool. I prefer that too. Mine are mostly MEC.ca brand or Icebreaker.

I like the sound of skinning or walking up and sliding down; I don't do it at home much because of the steepness and the avalanches and the general Taihen-ness of it all and all the required gear and the need for reliable buddies, but I could see it working on the more rolling hills of Japan if that is where you do it. I might even be convinced to free my heels just for the comfort and lightness. And do play safe out there in dem dar hills.

Oh, btw, I always found silk sort of slimy and sticky but that was the stuff of 40 years ago; hard even to imagine the wool I wear these days is the same basic material as that steel woolen stinkified scratchfest crap I grew up in. And don't get me started on the rubber...............

Oh, and BTW, BOT: with permission I will officially declare it winter in Okinawa as of an hour ago when I went outside to buy some Okazu and was buffeted about like a rag doll. It's time for shoes even down here, and that means it's winter everywhere.

[Coligny]

Nowadays I buy my cold weather gear from http://www.northernoutfitters.com. Nothing short of outstanding. There isn't anything like being in a third world country when all your troops are shivering with their standard military issue, but you had the forethought to prepare ahead of time.

Sandbox mountainside ?

[Mike Oxlong]

You never ran into Arudo at MEC in Calgary while on your ways to some trendy Banff OB retreat?!

[Coligny]

Ok, which one of you scum of the earth turned on the tornado weapon masheen ? I was nearly hit by a half frozen low flying cow on the way home.

Also... Teh cold...

[matsuki]

Experience has taught me that he who tries to predict a season's snow is a fool, and all the little folk stories around here like how high up the tree the praying mantis are laying their eggs as an indication of the next season's snowfall don't really have high accuracy. However, the season has started earlier and has started in earnest. As I said earlier, the indications are that the Pacific side may have more snow than usual this year.

By the way, your Montbell items are wool blend, which might make them less durable. You pay more for 100% fine wool, but I think the benefit is there.

I walk up, then slide down. Then, if possible, skinnydip.

THIS

I passed up changing my to studless at the beginning of Nov....and all my shit is in Niigata I'm gonna be pissed if I can't sneak in there and swap them!

I have merino wool everything, fuck cotton socks!!! The other, cheaper, alternative is Olefin. Tends to outlast the wool gear but the wool is slightly warmer come winter. (both wick sweat away...if you never tried it, you're missing out)

[wagyl]

I passed up changing my to studless at the beginning of Nov....and all my shit is in Niigata I'm gonna be pissed if I can't sneak in there and swap them!

Sorry to be the one to break it to you http://www.jma.go.jp/en/amedas_h/today- ... oupCode=39 probably more snow tomorrow, so you are looking at at least a metre in Yuzawa.

[J.A.F.O]

Nowadays I buy my cold weather gear from http://www.northernoutfitters.com. Nothing short of outstanding. There isn't anything like being in a third world country when all your troops are shivering with their standard military issue, but you had the forethought to prepare ahead of time.

Sandbox mountainside ?

The sandbox sux, but the worst was one year in southern california when it actually snowed in the desert... no one was prepared for that one. I mean even in Alaska you're like "This is gonna be the 9th circle of hell but at least I know where I'm going"

[Yokohammer]

Well waddya know ... it's snowing again this morning.

[Coligny]

How bad are the winds ?

Bad enough to tear off the clouds from the fucking coastline...

image.jpg

Also... Was thrown out of the car by a wind gust when opening the door. I was holding tight to prevent it from flying away... The door is ok but i ended up on the ground...

It's typhoon level bursts instead of being sustained... The surprise element don't really count as an improvment...

[matsuki]

Stuff is apparently flying off the temple...not looking forward to going home tonight...

[wagyl]

Stuff is apparently flying off the temple...not looking forward to going home tonight...

Take care: there have been another 40 cm stacking up in Yuzawa over the last 24 hours.

Chains required from just after Numata, and expressway closed between Yuzawa and Koide (due to collision, should be clear by the time you get there). http://www.drivetraffic.jp/map.html
Is your journey really necessary?

[Taro Toporific]

Stuff is apparently flying off the temple...not looking forward to going home tonight...

She-e-e-it, I was just watching CNN and the Japan Sea side"s Snow-ageddon was in the top 5 news items.

[matsuki]

....and my second journey has been cancelled. Goodbye Niigata 2014!

[Russell]

Stuff is apparently flying off the temple...not looking forward to going home tonight...

She-e-e-it, I was just watching CNN and the Japan Sea side"s Snow-ageddon was in the top 5 news items.

Kind of さびしい. No snow here, just fucking cold wind (but still not freezing)...

[Coligny]

....and my second journey has been cancelled. Goodbye Niigata 2014!

You still have 14 days to make it there... Even by foot, seems doable, plus in the cold and snow zombies tend to slow or even freeze. So it's the safest season to travel. Be carefull of packs hiding in old building though. Those are still active just waiting for a prey seeking shelter,

[matsuki]

Stuff is apparently flying off the temple...not looking forward to going home tonight...

She-e-e-it, I was just watching CNN and the Japan Sea side"s Snow-ageddon was in the top 5 news items.

Kind of さびしい. No snow here, just fucking cold wind (but still not freezing)...

Seriously.....and I was soo going to make a side trip to leave frozen poop and pee on Wags doorstep

....and my second journey has been cancelled. Goodbye Niigata 2014!

You still have 14 days to make it there... Even by foot, seems doable, plus in the cold and snow zombies tend to slow or even freeze. So it's the safest season to travel. Be carefull of packs hiding in old building though. Those are still active just waiting for a prey seeking shelter,

Nah, I'm doing a flyjin next week...

[Takechanpoo]

at highway in Gifu prefecture.

14188111750001.jpg

14188111750007.jpg

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20141 ... m=ytop_top

[wagyl]

I think you made the right decision. I try not to post about the weather here because it either sounds like I am boasting or complaining, when in actual fact I enjoy the snow experience here (although this time was a bit early).

...but...

I had to wade out to the car, snow above the knees, and dig out a path to get it out of the carport at 6:30 p.m. My own fault for not clearing snow after having last done it at lunchtime.

This one is a bit unusual for mid December. I don't know when you will be getting the car and the studless tyres in the same place.

[yanpa]

Nah, I'm doing a flyjin next week...

Is she hot?

[matsuki]

Nah, I'm doing a flyjin next week...

Is she hot?

Fatty..

[IparryU]

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/12/17/e ... idewaters/

Evacuation orders issued as town in northern Japan is flooded by rising tidewaters
Residents of Nemuro City, the easternmost point on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, have a close relationship with the sea. Fishing is an important industry for the town, which is known for its salmon, saury, and shellfish, and being located on a long, thin peninsula means at any spot in Nemuro, you’re never far from at least two coastlines.

Unfortunately, this also means Nemuro has more angles from which to be flooded, and huge stretches of it are currently underwater due to rapidly rising tides, as dramatic photos from the city show.


The morning of December 17 saw tides rise past the city’s barricades. Thankfully, no deaths have been reported, but many of Nemuro’s roads and homes have been partially submerged.

[Salty]

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/12/17/evacuation-orders-issued-as-town-in-northern-japan-is-flooded-by-rising-tidewaters/

Evacuation orders issued as town in northern Japan is flooded by rising tidewaters
Residents of Nemuro City, the easternmost point on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, have a close relationship with the sea. Fishing is an important industry for the town, which is known for its salmon, saury, and shellfish, and being located on a long, thin peninsula means at any spot in Nemuro, you’re never far from at least two coastlines.

Unfortunately, this also means Nemuro has more angles from which to be flooded, and huge stretches of it are currently underwater due to rapidly rising tides, as dramatic photos from the city show.


The morning of December 17 saw tides rise past the city’s barricades. Thankfully, no deaths have been reported, but many of Nemuro’s roads and homes have been partially submerged.

Blame Abe.....

[kurogane]

This one is a bit unusual for mid December..

Yeah, it seems that late November to mid December is the new mid January/February. That elevated expressway bit is just down the road from my old haunt. Scary driving up there with all the Billy Bobs.

Stock up on TP boys and girls. If it's any comfort it's cold here in Okinawa too. We're barely making 19 here, though those winds Coligny was on about seem to have died down a touch. That was fierce shiite.

[yanpa]

19!? Those Okinawans must be dressed up like Eskimos. (Yes, I'm assuming 19 Sane International Temperature Units, not 19 Weird-Ass American And Old British People Temperature Units).

[kurogane]

Yeah, they've got the Aruki-futon look going big time. With shorts and thongs. It's sort of cute once you stop giggling.

And yes, I meant 19 degrees by the first world measure. But thanks for the reinforcement. Apparently even Burma has reverted to metric, so you know traditional measures have their back against the wall.

BTW, is Nemuro where that bug eyed stick bug pop singer from a few years back is from? Kind of sweet she took the town's name; sort of like Vito Corleone without the guns and horse heads.

[yanpa]

Yeah, they've got the Aruki-futon look going big time. With shorts and thongs. It's sort of cute once you stop giggling.

Thongs = biiich sandoru = flip flops = jandals, I presume?