Being Prepared

So, Amy & I are traveling for 7 weeks. As you can imagine, packing for this length of time and for several different climates can be quite difficult. Amy & I adopted the "layering" approach to packing clothing - i.e. we would wear several lighter layers of clothing if the weather was to turn cooler.

This method would ordinarily suffice however.... we have been traveling in a "special" car. It's minor ailments include: the drivers' window being stuck shut (not good when you are crossing international borders and need to hand over the passport while "remaining in your vehicle") and the front passenger window being stuck open. In terms of temperature control, both of these ailments have their advantages and disadvantages. On any average temperature day, it provides a great air flow in the vehicle. On any hotter day it means the driver and their companions need to ensure adequate hydration replaces the mass fluid loss. And, on the cooler (to freezing) days, it means the driver and their companions use all available clothing (two to three jackets each, beanies etc) to keep hypothermia at bay.

We should have taken this approach to staying warm on our visit to Athabasca Glacier. Taking into account the name of the passage we were visiting (i.e. Iceland Parkway) and that we were visiting a glacier, we should have had a clue that our summer wardrobe would not provide adequate coverage. Below are two photographs: The first shows both Tyler & I forcefully smiling as we take a photograph of us freezing on the glacier. The second photo shows an aussie dressed in shorts (vs other more prepared tourists in the foreground), with the outside temperature being close to zero degrees celsius.