If you hear a crack, go faster.
Push on the gas hard or else you’ll end up down below, more cold than your fingers and toes at the moment. It’s called false ice – the kind that looks thick and sturdy, but creaks eerily as your snowmobile glides over it. The kind of ice I went over more times than I’d like to think about.
Sleep whenever, and wherever
On the weekend of January 13-15, 2012, I went along with the Arctic Response Company Group to Gimli, Manitoba to start a weekend in training for the Arctic. My main job was to film the exercise for both the army and as a story for Shaw TV Winnipeg. Oh, and of course to learn how to live in the cold.
I can’t say it was an easy crash course, it wasn’t. I learned about working in cold conditions and how to function with less than adequate sleep. Basically, I thought I’d be more prepared for it than I really was.
So because I now have a vast wealth of knowledge, I’ve decided to highlight my top five moments/ lessons on how to be a journalist in the cold weather.
1. Do your research, and then do it again.
This was my first misstep. I went on this excursion having done some research on cold weather comfort, but mainly relied on my kit to keep me warm. And while my parka and deliciously attractive suspender strapped ski pants kept my body warm, the boots and gloves didn’t quite fit the bill – and how could I forget snacks! I will be doing a Costco shop before heading north.
2. Make friends.
The men and women I spent my weekend with are all travelling with me in the Arctic – so I made sure I got to know them. By the end of the weekend I was friends with the medic (good call because they can keep you warm); many of the headquarters guys (good call because they carry all the supplies) and of course, the soldiers who are driving the snowmobiles (good call because I’ll be chauffeured across the tundra).
3. Keep your camera close – and cozy.
I knew I would be carrying my small (but not that small) camera to shoot my story, and I also knew the temperatures with winds would be teetering around the -27 to -30 range. So I decided to bring my cozy lime green fleece blanket (that thing goes everywhere with me) and wrap up the Sony 150. It lasted the weekend and while the camera was still cool to the touch, it operated perfectly.
4. Carry everything yourself.
I showed up at the base and someone asked me if I was carrying a sniper rifle bag – it was just my tripod case. Making sure my equipment was close and always with me was a challenge because the army prefers it if you pack light. I had three separate bags for my camera, audio gear and tripod (not to mention my pack of clothes). In cold weather especially, people don’t like to do extra tasks – like carry the embedded journalist’s gear, and they’ll probably hate you. Also, by carrying it myself, I kept things organized; a big plus in the cold.
5. Don’t complain.
Or at least save your complaining for a blog post. I woke up after my first night of sleeping in the winter tent and the captain asked how it was. I said “great,” he replied “really?” so I added “in these conditions.” The fact of the matter is it doesn’t matter all that much if the ground hurts – that’s what we have to sleep on. And I know what I signed up for — and it’s less than a month until the big event.
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I will be posting imagery my Shaw TV story once they’ve been uploaded from respective websites.
Cre.ature Feed 