Photography and Photo Tours: Specializing in Alaska's Wild Lands & Wild Life
Alright, so it’s cold in Alaska – everybody knows that! Summers are great (for me anyways – never really liked the heat), with temps in the 70′s and 80′s at times. Spring and Fall are a little cooler, but still very comfortable. Winter… well yeah, it gets “downright chilly” at times. Last winter I photographed the northern lights out past the Matanuska Glacier and near Glennallen. It was 48 degrees BELOW 0! Downright chilly, indeed.
I love to shoot on the edges of light. Sunrise and sunset shots are great, but I tend to turn the other way lately. The light that the sun casts is truly spectacular. Then there is the sunlight that is not present or is truly indirect, and the landscape is lit only by moonlight and starlight. Beautiful times of the day (or night), but usually cold in the wintertime.
Skiers climbing ridge for descent, Talkeetna Mountains.
Switchbacks, skiers ascending - Talkeetna Mountains
So I am always on the lookout for gear that will make me more comfortable, and hopefully – alive and arriving home with all the digits/appendages I left with. In the past, I haven’t shot as often in the cold winter months. But this year I’ve gotten out more, a few bald eagle trips to Homer, photographing Denali & the Alaska Range, small bird photography, etc. I’m on my way out the door right now to go back to Talkeetna for a sunset session with “The Mountain” – fingers crossed.
In the past, I’ve always just taken my gloves off to shoot. I don’t like the loss of dexterity or tactility (is that even a word?) that wearing gloves gives me. I’d rather get cold hands and be able to feel my shutter button and other camera controls. I’d usually put my gloves back on between shots or when they got way too cold. I picked up a pair of Sealskinz waterproof gloves. They were designed to be warm in very cold temps, waterproof when dunked completely, and comfortable. They were not comfortable, waterproof or warm. The search continued.
Then I found the Meteor Mitts by Outdoor Research (OR). I’ve owned a few products by OR before, and they’ve always performed better than their very reasonable cost. I still have a pair of snow gaiters that have to be about 11 years old now, they look brand new and have never failed me. I have a good feeling about these new gloves as well. The craftsmanship is top notch, as usual.
OR Meteor Mitts, outer shell
They outer shell is made of Ripstop Nylon and an inner layer of OR’s proprietary Ventia fabric, which is waterproof and breathable. And yes, these things are waterproof! There are also easy to operate cinch straps atop the wrist of each glove.
The removable inner liner is made of 300 weight fleece and is quite warm. The fingers and thumb each have fold back flaps when you need the extra tactility (there I go again!). The flaps secure to the back of each mitten by small magnet. Most mittens that have fold back flaps are secured by velcro. Now, imagine how well this works when you are trying to photograph an animal (be it a small song bird or a large moose) and you need to adjust your gloves. RRRRIIIIPPPPP!!!! And poof, bye bye wildlife. OR’s solution is simple and effective. Just don’t try using a compass near the magnets. The velcro that you do see below is used to secure the inner liner to the inside of the outer shell. I’ve found that I rarely use this feature and they just stay put without it.
OR Meteor Mitts - removable inner liner/mittens
The gloves work great because you can wear the outer shell while hiking to your location or while waiting for the perfect light. They are warm, and if you need even more warmth, you could easily wear a thin fingered liner underneath or pop in a few chemical heat packs. All in all, a great value at under $60 suggested price. Highly recommended. Stay tuned!
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Thanks for posting the gear review. I’m always looking for better gloves than before. The mittens look like they will slip on and off real quick.
Hey Dave
I wanna snowboard that – where in the Talkeetnas is it?
Cool review – OR make great gear. I hadn’t seen these before – I was actually looking at their expedition line of mittens today, and they’re $185.00.
Cheers
Carl
My what big mitts you have.
Seriously though, maybe it’s the photo but they look a bit cumbersome. If they are Outdoor Research though they have to be good. Never had any bad products from them.
Hey guys (and gal). Great to hear from you all.
Steve, they are fast to switch between. I do find that it is a little easier to put the gloves on if the liners are already on your hand, but that’s very minor.
I looked at some of their higher end options as well Carl – but stuck with these because of their liners with the flip back finger/thumb covers. I only got them for photography, not for the “extra curricular” stuff you do:) I did pick up a pair of expedition weight mittens a couple of years ago from REI. They don’t have a liner, but are super warm. I always carry them for my winter stuff as backups in case of very cold weather/emergencies/emergencies regarding very cold weather:)/emergencies…
Actually, their very “un-cumbersome”. With the shell on, they aren’t as easy as regular gloves, for dexterity. But that’s what the liners work great for.
Oops sorry Carl, I forgot your question-
This is directly up from the upper parking lot in Hatcher’s Pass, just below Independence Mine. If you are in the upper parking lot and face out towards the road, this peak is right in front of you. This was from Sunday’s snowmobile ride in Hatcher’s – but I’m going to go back up there just to do more photography of the skiers/boarders – GREAT place.
Hey Dave
Thanks – I wondered if it was Hatcher’s. What a tragedy about the kid who died up there recently. If my ankle was in better shape I’d be on my way (well, and the weather was more user friendly).
I’ll look at those gloves this week. Thanks again.
Cheers
Carl