Kilting in the cold

[Wompet]

I've gone regimental snowshoeing in 10 oz. sport-kilt in 20 F temperatures. And for that I have had to dress light up top to keep from overheating and sweating, because the kilt is so warm.

I would tell my friends and coworkers in southwest Texas this, and they wouldn't believe me. So last January I had my one brother take a picture of me kilted outdoors with the temperature at 20 F. I had on my 13 oz 4-yd kilt, lightweight wool socks, insulated boots, gaiters (to keep the snow out of the boots), t-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, jacket, light gloves, and head-wrap. My brother was dressed similarly, but with pants. All I felt was a cool breeze against the back of my knees. He was ... a little colder. After the photos, he went back inside and I took my dog for a half-hour walk.

I have one thing that concerns me more when I'm wearing a kilt versus pants in the winter: postholing. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, that's when you take a step, your foot breaks through the crust, and your leg follows it down like a fencepost into its hole.

[Andrew Breecher]

I'm worried about postholing in the Sierra this coming spring, but not too worried. I know many people who hike through the snow there in shorts, so my kilt and tall gaiters won't be so out of place. Actually, what I'm much more worried about is reflected snow sunburns while wearing a kilt....

Andrew.