Well, here I am, in yet another month of a western New York (WNY) winter, and this time, though the snow hasn't been heavy nor as often as in previous years, the cold has been its usual bitterness. The wind chill here has been winter-cold freezing months before winter even started!
Of course, Sheila and I are out in all weather conditions. We have been out in cold, hot, high winds, rain, and every and anything in-between! Cold "doesn't" bother us, but now we are wary of the heat. I am getting rid of all my short sleeve shirts, replacing them with long sleeve shirts. I am not getting any younger, and my poor skin has been toasted enough in all the sunny, extreme hot areas I've been, and my skin is beginning to show the wear and tear of those climates.
Being photographers, we are almost always out, and for the first time in my life, I have exposed my skin and extremities to freezing temperatures without proper clothing and protection. I've previously worn thicker hiking boots - always - but after I had foot/toe problems with those thicker boots, I switched to lighter zero-type boots with no elevated heels. These are also made of lighter, thinner materials, and my first winter of wearing these thinner shoes has possibly resulted in some serious worries!
I think I've got frost-bitten toes on both feet! I have always had poor blood circulation in my legs and feet, and though I've hiked around in the snow of southern Norway and other cold spots without any problems in the past, I also had then my thicker boots, plus the winter humidity in Norway was minimal, while here in WNY the humidity is almost always higher. While hiking around in deep Norwegian snow for hours without the slightest sensation of cold, the WNY humidity is so high that even after five minutes the fingertips begin to tingle due to the cold!
I am not posting any pictures of my toes but it's not pretty, plus you can just surf the web to see images of others who have suffered from frost-bitten limbs and extremities, and many got it worst than me!! I already have an VA appointment to see a podiatrist in a few more weeks, but I think the diagnosis will be as I suspect. I guess I'll find out soon enough.
How to avoid frostbite
Wear thick shoes or boots, and clothing especially suited for cold weather. Stay advised of the weather conditions, wind chill factor, and wind direction of where you plan to be. Depending on where I am headed, I also have cleats that I can put on any shoes/boots I wear. You can also limit your time outdoors in cold, wet or/and windy weather, and dress in several layers of loose, warm clothing, including wearing a hat or headband that fully covers your ears, and using mittens rather than gloves for more warmth. I have USB-powered hand-warmers that we use while outdoors which have turned out to be very helpful. Be sure to wear socks and/or sock liners that fit well, wick moisture and provide adequate insulation for the temperatures you're going out into, and watch for any signs of tingling and/or pain, etc. which can be a warning sign of frostbite!
Most importantly, stay safe, be aware of your body and any signs of cold, and if it gets colder than you thought, get back to a warm shelter. Stay warm!!
Here's a scene from the ice at Lake Ontario!
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| Lakeside iced waves create an interesting pattern! |
