shortening prayer

Dear Scholars Assalaamu-alaikum I am planning for Hajj this year, and I have questions regarding Hajj as follow : 1) Prayers : when we go for Hajj, we are travellers, how should we pray the Fard Prayers, shorten ? And other than the Fard Prayers, can we pray the sunnah prayers, and any other prayers we should perform ? 2) In cold weather (eg the night in Muzdalifah) is it persmissible to use sleeping bags; plastic bags; unknitted blanket etc. to keep warm ? Men and women any different in this case. Thanks. May Allah (s.w.t.) bless you and give you rewards.

What is the reason for shortening the Prayers—is it difficulties encountered or travel itself?

Aslam ualaikum.  Let me say that I absolutely love your service, you are a great blessing to the muslim community, May Allah reward you with all the success you so truly deserve.  I have some questions, I hope you can help me out with :how far does one have to travel in order to pray the “kasar” or shortened prayers.  Also is it must to read the shortened prayer during traveling or can one pray the full normal prayer if he/she wants to.  Can they read the sunnahs.  And how far or how long can a woman travel without mahram?  Under what conditions may one combine Zuhr and Asr or Maghrib and Isha prayers? I had made a vow that I will never miss the 4 sunnahs of Zuhr for a specified time no matter what, if I am in traveling do I have to maintain this vow?