Tawàyama Safaris - GEAR

Nearly every piece we own and use is by Mountain Hardware. Proven in the harshest conditions the world over, we have been relying on thier clothing and expedition equipment to keep us comfortable and protected for several years now. The following are a few select pieces that we highly recommend. While we are not re-sellers of Mountain Hardware equipment, we encourage you to purchase from your local retailer. Visit the Mountain Hardware site to learn more about their extensive line of mountaineering gear and camping equipment.

The Windstopper Tech Jacket is much more than just fleece. We wear ours everywhere and in every weather imaginable. It incorporates a layer of windstopper fabric that really does keep the wind out. Driving down the road at 65mph in our topless Land Rover really puts it to the test. It really does work like they say it does. Good at shedding rain and snow we've worn it into weather that should have needed additional layers without any hesitation.

A little heavier fabric, it adds a little bulk when layered with other pieces, but if you really need a good thick layer of fleece either as a top layer or worn with a shell, this is an excellent choice.

One of the things we love to tell our photographers that come on safari with us is "Terrible weather creates wonderful photographs".

So, while we're waiting for that weather to pass, or if we're waist deep in it photographing, there are times when you need some serious weather protection.

Mountain Hardware's version of Gore-Tex is called Conduit II. With a Cool-Max mesh liner this jacket allows moisture to escape while at the same time keeping it from coming in.

The Exposure II Parka takes us into the harshest weather Mother Nature can dish out with comfort. Plenty of room in the shoulders, an ample hood (with a brim, very good for shooting under) make this parka perfect for everything from extreme mountain sports to photography in the elements to a night on the town (in Seattle).

This jacket has two large pockets for film, lenses, whatever, placed high. Also has inner zipped pockets to keep those batteries warm. It's perfect for wearing a backpack where the belt would normally ride on other parkas pockets. Pit-zips allow you to maintain proper body temperature without compromising your protection from the elements.

This basic Winstopper Jacket was picked up right before the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. I photographed for several days in dumping snow and fridgid temperatures and was able to work in comfort. I got this as a last minute addition to the several layers of fleece I currently owned, and I've ditched them all in favor of this simple jacket.

I've relyed on this jacket more than any other single piece of clothing in the past 2 years. I've tried to wear it out, but can't.

Every photographer should own at least one completely black piece of clothing. When photographing objects that are metallic and pick up reflections, any other color will wreak havok on color balance and add hours of Photoshop retouching to remove yourself from the image.

Also, when shooting up close, your clothing will act as a reflector, so anything other than black or white will alter color balance. Ask me sometime about the chrome vehicle bumpers I shot while wearing my orange fleece. I ate a lot of hours retouching images for that client removing the orange blob from the bumpers. A mistake I will never make again. Learn from mine and get some black fleece!

Hands down the best piece of harsh weather clothing you can ever buy. Four years ago I purchased similar pants from another manufacturer. They did start to finally wear out and look a little tattered, so I bought another pair, this time by Mountain Hardware.

The 'other' brand didn't have Windstopper built in, and at time I have to admit they did feel a bit drafty. All of those problems are completely solved with these pants.

You will honestly wear them everywhere they are so comfortable.

Featuring full-length zippers on the legs you'll be able to get in and out easily. Also the knee and butt reinforcement patches really are nice, and are sure to make these pants last at least as long as my previous pair.

Softer fabric and with more features, I should have upgraded to the Hardware version a couple of years ago when my other pair started looking a little long in the tooth.

Got these pants thinking it was going to be awesome to be able to turn them into shorts. Truth is, they're so light and comfortable as pants we've never unzipped the legs off!

As with the Windstopper Jacket, the Convertable Pack Pant has been a wardrobe staple both on and off of our expeditions.

Tough as nails, we've worked on the trucks quite a bit laying on the ground with these things on. At times I was worried I was ruining my nice pants, but they haven't failed me and still come back for more.

The built-in belt is nice, and the pockets are super roomy. Just make sure you take the change and car keys out of your pockets when you sit down in that sofa. I've made that mistake more than once. Maybe that's why they put a loop with a clip on it in one of the pockets?

Completing our head-to-toe body wrap in Windstopper Fleece, these gloves will keep your hands warm in the coldest winds. Not really designed to operate cameras or delicate machinery in, they do excel in what they are designed for.

If you need the dexterity of your fingers, you can cut a slit in the index and/or thumbs to get your fingers out. I did that with an old pair of gloves and it works well. I didn't want to sacrifice these gloves to the same end, so I've left them intact, choosing to take them off when it's time to shoot.

Toasty enough to get your hands warmed back up after shooting, they go with us everywhere, and stay in the truck's cubby box all the time.

The one thing I really haven't shown are my hats. I have a gazillion of them, so I didn't think I'd bore you with endless thumbnails of hats. A good fleece or wool cap can be the difference between a cold weather experience you regret, or one you enjoy. You should always have something to cover your head weather it's minus-20 or 115 degrees in the shade (been there, done that).

We have a LOT of other gear for when the climate is more temperate. The pieces above are shown to give you an idea what we take with us during those transitional times of the year, or as one photographer so eloquently put it, the "seams of the seasons".

Those are our favorite times of the year, and the weather at those times can be completely unpredictable and change at the drop of a hat. Summer is about the only time we're able to not worry about cold-weather gear for early mornings and evenings. Other than the dead of summer, we always bring our inclement weather gear. It only takes being caught off guard once for you to learn your lesson.

Being prepared is not only a good idea if you're a Boy Scout, it's also a way of life for the outdoor photographer that takes it seriously. We do, and hope that the gear we show can help make your foray into the wilderness more comfortable, satisfying and productive. It's hard enough work getting out to make images, we need to take care of ourselves to be able to be inspired by our surroundings.