Arctic winter survival course with the canadian forces. (many pics)

gunknifenut said:
Good JOB! That looks pretty dang cold Brother! The S1 is one of my favorite Fallknivens, I bought one for my brother, and its all he has ever owned or used since.
Click to expand...

I'm going to have to try one, its at a perfect size that I like using. The cpl using it didn't seem to have any issues with it. it was offly clean though.:D

Great, now I feel like I need one! lol
 
When I saw the title of this thread I thought "You picked a nice winter to do arctic survival training:foot:" Then I saw you were in Alberta and thought to myself "Never mind". I did mine in February of 2002 at Base Borden, it was in the -20 to -25 range, cold but not THAT cold.
 
Call_to_Arms said:
When I saw the title of this thread I thought "You picked a nice winter to do arctic survival training:foot:" Then I saw you were in Alberta and thought to myself "Never mind". I did mine in February of 2002 at Base Borden, it was in the -20 to -25 range, cold but not THAT cold.
Click to expand...

There ya go, that can still make for an interesting night. How many did you have out on the course?
 
Looks great Fonly; we have a whole Canadian unit next door to us, many from Alberta...I'm freezing my bum off at -10-15 celcius and these guys keep saying something about similar temps during the summer in Alberta :D

A lot of these Canuks say they get Rum Rations back home...that would go nicely with a big bon fire!

ROCK6
 
Fonly said:
It certainly is, I left with second degree frost bite (frost nip) on my ears, lips and nose. I have had a few layers of skin peel. the first night, before they showed up, we were sitting at -52*c, when they arrived the next morning, it was -46 still, didn't change much through the day and the first night was spent, in shelter, in pairs at -45*c.
Click to expand...
That's quite cold indeed.
Just wondering what do you wear for that kind of weather, and what kind of footwear you used (clothing on pictures doesn't seem over thick).
 
Ravaillac said:
That's quite cold indeed.
Just wondering what do you wear for that kind of weather, and what kind of footwear you used (clothing on pictures doesn't seem over thick).
Click to expand...

I get this questions a lot actually.

The short answer is layers, some of those particular pictures, I was making quick trips from our cabin, but lots of things can affect it. While the thermometer says on thing, with no wind, and perfect sunlight it feels warmer, however it is still very dangerous.

Thats one of the bad things about it being so dry out here, -30 here feels like a humid -20 back east, so it can be a very deceiving time of the year.

I will say, when its -50, wind chill or not, its cold... :D

For layers;
Torso:
1. base layer - a synthetic shit of some type
2. over base layer - a wiking insulated layer (under armor)
3. insulation - this will be however many layers I need (usually three to four)
4. outer layer - this will be a thick polar fleece with a wind/water shield when needed

Legs:
1. base layer - Under armor/misty mountain (a wiking but insulating layer)
2. Insulation - this has, and honestly always will (if it Isn't broke don't fix it) a misty mountain fleece, this will be however many layers needed
3. the outer layer, this isn't always a water proof layer, I would prefer to know when a layer is wet, and dry it. water proof can be an issue in this weather if not watch closely. It can be very deceiving in this area, over exertion and dehydration are very common.

Forgot footwear, this is one - two pairs of socks, and -60 boots, I will get a picture up of them.
 
Last edited:
ROCK6 said:
A lot of these Canuks say they get Rum Rations back home...that would go nicely with a big bon fire!

ROCK6
Click to expand...

That sounds like something my Warrant Officer would do :D

Do you know what company it is? PPCLI?
 
Not sure what unit...I need to ask what the acronyms are: NCSE / CCTM-A

ROCK6
 
ohh ok, the CCTM-A (Canadian Contribution Training Mission – Afghanistan) are a coalition including the NCSE ( National Command and Support Element)

They've been tasked with the reconstruction of government in Afghanistan. We have sent doctors, RCMP, Engineers for the purpose of doing so.

They have some incredible people over there right now, they have given up a lot to do what their doing, just like the rest of you guys,

Muchly appreciated brother :thumbup: I do miss the reg force days.... Stay safe.


btw, camp phoenix ring a bell? :D
 
Fonly said:
ohh ok, the CCTM-A (Canadian Contribution Training Mission – Afghanistan) are a coalition including the NCSE ( National Command and Support Element)

They've been tasked with the reconstruction of government in Afghanistan. We have sent doctors, RCMP, Engineers for the purpose of doing so.

They have some incredible people over there right now, they have given up a lot to do what their doing, just like the rest of you guys,

Muchly appreciated brother :thumbup: I do miss the reg force days.... Stay safe.


btw, camp phoenix ring a bell? :D
Click to expand...

Thanks! Their J6/Signal Team are a part of the "support element". Phoenix sounds familiar as I'm residing on Camp Phoenix...actually a very nice little post...much better than Bagram and although Kandahar grew on me, it's much easier to negotiate. We share a building with the Canadian's and they're a great crew as usual. Another snow storm is coming in today...not much snow and not too cold, but at least my Canuk brothers can enjoy an Alberta Summer :D

ROCK6
 
Boy does that bring back memories. I went through that training at Ft. Greely Alaska 1981. Loved it so much I movied here in 84. Still here:D. Thanks for the post Bro a lot of good people came to mind thinking back.:thumbup:
 
Any time, these guys had a blast, honestly, the forces was one of the best decisions I ever made. :thumbup:
 
Giorgos said:
Wow! -50? I would try to find shelter in a deep freezer! :D
Nicely done sir.
Click to expand...


It would have been a warmer night.

That said, a week later, with the last group going through, their sleeping bags were taken away is at was above zero... Weird weather this year.
 
-50F? Woo Hooo that's cold!

The coldest i've slept out in, measured and not including wind-chill, bottomed-out the thermometer at -30F - that's downright balmy compared to -50F!!!

To me, after about -10F it's all so frigid that *every* precaution has to be made or it's the "Forever Nap".
 
fmajor007 said:
To me, after about -10F it's all so frigid that *every* precaution has to be made or it's the "Forever Nap".
Click to expand...

It really does, skin freezes in minutes or less, especially when wet.

It took two minutes on a ski-doo, doing less then 3 km/h to get second degree frost bite (frost nip)


That said, with proper precautions, training in this environment can be very rewarding.

A firesteel is needed in this temp, lighters sometimes work, but not routinely. Electronics usually freeze up, I had a hell of a time with my camera and phone. ski-doo's didn't really want to run either, we had them put up in a circle, tarped over with a propane heater for about 30 minutes in the morning.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top