Keeping Warm at Ymir |
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The weather at an event can make a big
difference in the fun factor, and folks, the weather at Ymir tends to be
cold. It doesn't matter how many awesome things are happening around you at
an event; if you're freezing your hiney off, you're not going to enjoy them.
While there are indoor areas to which you can retreat if you're cold, all of
the martial activities, the merchant areas and both of the courts are
outside. Good planning will help you enjoy this event. The following tips
come from personal experience: The Weather The weather at Ymir (Betsy-Jeff Penn 4H Center in Reidsville, NC) can be unpredictable. It can be dry and freezing, almost balmy and cold and rainy all in the same week, so keep an eye on the weather forecast so that you'll know what to expect. Here's a link to the weather in Reidsville, NC. Footwear Thick soles will keep your feet warmer than thinner ones. The closer your feet are to the cold ground, the colder they will be. Wear two pairs of socks or a good pair of wool socks. (Wool keeps you warm even if it's wet.) Make sure that your footwear isn't too tight. If your blood can't circulate well in your feet, it can't help keep them warm. I found that my clogs with thick plastic soles and kept me WAY warmer than my knee length boots – even though the back third of my foot (ankle to heel) was exposed. The thick soles made a huge difference – especially in court, where the cold slab floor just sucks the heat out of your feet if you're wearing thin soles. Headwear In cold weather a great deal of your heat rises straight up from your head. Keeping your head covered will keep that heat in. (If your hands and feet are cold, wearing something on your head actually helps.) (You may be able to buy a decent hat or hood from one of the merchants at Ymir!). Keep your neck covered, too. That cool looking hood won't keep you as warm as you'd think, especially if there's a breeze. Wear a close-fitting hat under your hood. Scarves are also a Good Thing. Dress In Layers You've probably heard this before, but dressing in layers is a grand idea, especially since the temperature and conditions can change throughout the day. You can wear long underwear or cotton tights under your pants or gown. You can wear a solid colored long-sleeved shirt under your tunic or gown. Your Hands Mittens will keep you warmer than gloves because the circulation isn't as restricted and there's a thin layer of warm air between your hands and the cloth. Lined gloves will keep your hands warmer than unlined gloves. I've found that single-layer leather gloves actually seem to draw the heat out of my hands! Keep Hydrated Water helps your body to regulate its temperature. Move Around Besides participating in the activities, meeting people and checking out the merchants, you may want to consider some of the fine volunteer opportunities at Ymir to keep yourself moving. This is one of the best ways to get to know the people around you, and we're always grateful for help. Look for the sign-up sheets at troll (at check-in). Your Cabin at Ymir All cabins are heated, though you might want to bring a space heater in case you prefer to be warmer. (Actually an electric blanket will keep more of the heat where you need it.) Open flames (candles, etc.) are not allowed in the cabins. Questions about your cabin or your reservation can be directed to our reservationist, Lady Rae at ladyrae966 AT gmail DOT com. Now keep warm and have a great event! In Service, Ursula von Bremen |
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