RE: [Paddlewise] Cold Hands

From: Chuck Holst <cholst_at_bitstream.net>
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003 09:43:33 -0600
>>
Does anyone use pogies with a Greenland paddle. And if you do how well do
they work when sliding your hands on the paddle?
>>

I don't use pogies with my Greenland paddle, but I do use the largest PVC 
or equivalent chemical-resistant gloves I can find, and line them with 
expedition-weight Capilene gloves. I look for the the most flexible gloves 
I can find; It is important that this combination not be so tight as to 
restrict circulation or movement. The main function of the PVC gloves is to 
minimize wind chill. They shed water quickly. One problem I have had with 
neoprene gloves is moisture being retained on the outside surface, which 
cools the gloves strongly in any kind of breeze. The only neoprene glove I 
would use would be one with a smooth -- not fabric-covered or open-cell -- 
skin. The liners keep my hands warm even when wet, as long as they are 
covered by the PVC shells, and can be exchanged for a spare dry pair.

I've paddled on the Mississippi at 8 degrees F. with this combination, and 
my hands stayed fairly comfortable. I used to use pogies before I started 
using a Greenland paddle, but as a friend pointed out years ago, they won't 
protect your hands if you come out of the boat.

BTW, the shoulders on a Southwest Greenland-style paddle make it much 
easier to grasp when the loom is covered by 1/8 inch of ice. And a good 
reason to use an extended roll with the Greenland paddle is that ice does 
not build up on the blade while you are paddling.

Chuck Holst
St. Paul, Minnesota
-5 degrees this morning


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Received on Thu Feb 13 2003 - 09:02:24 PST

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