Totally random thoughts from 25 days in the cold

32 to a low of -36 to a high of 25 is a ridiculous amount of swing in temps
Moisture is a real issue
Wear less, be cool while active
Below zero is different, below 15 is another world, below 30 is insanity
White gas MSR stoves just work
VBLs are real and required and they work
You must have a way of dealing with accumulating frozen moisture in your bag. Either VBL clothing, a VBL bag, or a way to warm it every couple of days
Studs would have been nice
I really don't like touring on flat bars but I do like them for technical riding
Below 10 and moist fingers freeze
When your nose hairs freeze it is getting cold
A fat bike will take you wherever you want to go, period, end of story
When the moisture begins to freeze away from your skin, trust me you will know when it is happening, things are getting bad
When a 1 mile, low effort ride results in frozen obstacles all over your face and you can't feel your fingers or toes it is time to regroup
The Thermarest neo x is awesome
Poagies work until they don't. You still need gloves and sometimes they are way too warm
A wool buff is invaluable, but will freeze solid
I still can't figure out how to protect my face and keep my lenses from fogging
Wear your boots to bed
Coffee, no matter how cold outside, made freshly from grounds, brightens my day
Below zero, just about all food will freeze and it will become a daily challenge figuring out how to cook it
The Bryjne fishnet is the best base layer I have ever used.
Buy a Patagonia Houdini, you won't regret it. Then buy the Patagonia cap 4 hoody.
Shoot your DSLR with AF off. It will save you a tremendous amount of battery and profoundly change the way you photograph
Bring an insulated coffee mug and a small thermos; hot goes to cold very, very quickly
Nalgene water bottle insulators are ok and they hang nicely from your handlebars, but still must be stored in your sleeping bag to keep them from freezing
Hot peppers make everything you cook taste better
The constant shower of ice particles raining down on your face each time you move in your tent gets old and cold very fast
Your rear hub WILL stop working somewhere around -30 unless you change the lube in the hub
Panniers freeze in the extreme cold and begin to be very difficult to roll shut and clip closed
Lara bars and Cliff Bloks don't freeze but eggs, sausage, cheese, carrots,... do