Thermals/fleece/hard shell layering or an insulated softshell and just carrying your waterproof in the event of it being superwet? Also will I die without a belay jacket cos they're expensive.

Looking forward to being cold up a mountain!

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MILF-Hunter

I usually wear thermal top, thin microfleece and hard shell waterproof. I then have warmer stuff in my bag if needed (big fleece or down jacket I can wear under my waterproof). I find it keeps me warm enough provided I don't stop for too long! I know people that wear more though.

I just wear trousers and some waterproof trousers, but some people wear thermal trousers, just depends how cold you get.

A softshell is probably not the best as it will likely be windy and possibly damp! But others may disagree!

You don't NEED a belay jacket, I have never worn one, and given the hassle it would be to put on normally I would say moving fast and having decent ropework is probably more useful.

What is important is some decent gloves. Probably a thin liner and a thicker waterproof pair. And if you can manage it a spare pair incase you drop one, or so you have a nice warm dry pair for the walk off when you top out.

Hope that helps.

Yeh I was eering more towards the hard shell since I already own one but I thought it would be nice to get opinions off people who have been, either way people have been layering like this for donkeys years so it is obviously a tried and tested system wheather it is the best one or not.

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MILF-Hunter

Shorts and flip flops mate, its not really that hardcore out there!

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Unlevel-headed member of team Gadd-vey

Cheif Scout

I've not worn a single waterproof item in the last two winter seasons with the possible exception of my gaiters. I'm probably moving this winter to a more standard hardshell setup (icebreaker base layer, Rab vapour-rise smock, thin fleece, hardshell) just because it's more flexible. If though you're looking for a cheap way to avoid dying in Scotland though something like the Montane Extreme smock is excellent (with a thin fleece underneath if you tend to get cold). On my hands I've worn convertible mitts (Outdoor Designs make my favourite) with Buffalo mitts over the top, again not waterproof but again warm even when wet and shall be sticking with this system for the foreseeable future. Also, Schoeller is possibly the finest fabric known to man for trousers, if you've got the cash burning a hole in your pocket they're incredible. I wear them without waterproofs over the top but if you're going hardshell then they work very well that way too. I'd love a belay jacket but it all costs money goddammit.

Schoeller is amazing!!! it's totally worth the money, I had a pair of trousers that worked beautifully for skiing right through to summer climbing, unless you're sitting or kneeling in snow all day they're all you need! Mine have holes in them now, but i can't bring myself to throw them out they were that good!

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Girls like three things: Danger, Boners and R1oss' guns.

I agree with Starley - Helly Hansen base layer, microfleece and hard shell is generally fine as long as its not too cold and you keep moving... although it can get very cold at belays. I've never quite worked out how belay jackets work - the faff of taking bag off, getting jacket out, putting jacket on, bag back on and belay... never really appealed to me. I'd recommend a buff too to keep you're face out of the spindrift, it can sting like hell when the wind gets up. As for gloves I go for Sealskinz inners (very waterproof) and big gore tex outer gloves (not mitts). You probably already own most of the stuff you need anyway!

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Committee position - Christianity and exotic islands Sec

Stu and Starley are right, but my advice would be: PROTECT THE EXTREMETIES! i.e. good hat and balaclava, good thick socks, and good gloves, the more pairs you can get on your hands the better! These are the places that will freeze first, and the places you least want to not work!

i agree with andy its amazing how cold your face gets so a balaclava or buff are very very useful peices of kit.
plus sunglasses or ski goggles as they help to protect your face.

when it comes to clothes layering is definatly the key, a thermal or 2 with a couple of micro fleeces is always my key and i always keep my gortex on as it is windproof

MILF-Hunter - i guess im just repeating all i've already said!

if anyone wants to go shopping give me a ring and i can come with you and help

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Mountain sec .... once upon a time

Yeah as alice said, sunglasses are pretty key if it's sunny, (you might be lucky on the trip) as the sun reflects off the snow giving your eyes a double dose of brightness. Basically if you're squinting you should be wearing sunglasses, it's not as bad as the alps but it's pretty easy to end up with a headache and prickly dry eyes after bright day in the snow.

However if you do take sunglasses you do risk jinxing the weather...

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Girls like three things: Danger, Boners and R1oss' guns.

also useful for keeping your eyelids from freezing, it can get pretty icy...

http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=5 ... =507535641

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Mountain sec .... once upon a time

And if the weather is getting a bit testy I've found goggles brilliant. They really isolate you from the weather's attempts to destroy your face and allow you to walk around with open eyes.

i like to take a range of clothes and choose what to wear depending on forcast and planned activites. u'll need different layers on a long walking day than a day of mainly climbing for example. can you move together on the route, or will there be long exposed belays?

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VP '08-'09

boardies and a pair of flip-flops.

What? Its never been that sunny when Ive been there in January!

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Committee position - Christianity and exotic islands Sec