The Layered Look

The heavy winds and blowing snow provide great timing to reinforce the importance of layering. For those of you who are wondering if I’ve been cold here in R.I., the answer is yes and no. The only cold you feel is on your face when the wind is blowing in toward you. At your back it’s much better. The inside of your nose feels dry from breathing in the extraordinary (for southern Ontario anyway) cold air.

The facemask and balaclava have helped. That old OPP winter hat has worked out perfectly though, thank you Ontario. The double set of glove/mitts have been replaced with local issue that are much warmer. The others were fine but these are quicker on and off. I’ll have to keep a spot in the freezer for them this spring. My Sorrel boots have kept my feet warmer than anything I ever have owned. It was only after being here that I noticed that my snow overpants were Sorrel as well and those I had bought for working the golf course in late November.

The goose down coat has blocked the wind and kept me warm. There are those coming into the health centre that sport seal skin coats. The colours are most interesting as well. The back of the seal is a different colour from the underbelly and so both sides can create some interesting effects.

If you’ve been following this blog, I showed earlier the famous Amoti and how they are used. But the most amazing thing that these coats are all hand made here. The attention to detail is quite phenomenal. The piping and embroidery are exquisite. The kids coats are the same and appliqués adorn them as well. There are some very talented folks in this area with a sewing machine. The materials are available locally at the hardware store. I do not know who repairs them when they break but someone must. They are very resourceful here.

It took me a while to realize that those kid’s coat were also handmade. The ribbons of colour and decals are applied, I believe, so that people can recognize their kids by their coats individualized at home. Some coats even sport special autographs. There is a certain red coat in town that has the front shoulder panel signed by that famous numero 22, currently with Nashville Predators of NHL and wearing number 55 who returns to this hamlet every so often..

The hoods and cuffs are often trimmed with fur. Arctic fox and arctic hare (in winter) are the favourites for women since they are pure white and fluffy. With the hood raised an area of warmth is created in front of the face from the exhalation of that person’s breath. The fur causes the wind to swirl within the facial area. So now you are breathing in warmed air, much better for the airway and the lungs as well.

The down side of all this is the same as for the skills our forefathers possessed. The elders of the community seem to be the ones performing the talented tasks, This is changing though as seen in the arctic college brochures. There are new programs teaching about the old ways. The big question is who will be teaching those ways in 20 years or more.