While most gear for extreme conditions and temperatures is provided by the U.S. Antarctic Program Clothing Distribution Center (CDC) upon arrival in Christchurch, New Zealand, I needed to pack a myriad of items for emergencies, comfort and entertainment. It’s along way to a K-Mart if I forget anything.
- Flip Flops (for showers)
- Dryer sheets (detergent provided)
- Bar soap
- Boot insoles (Bunny boots have no support)
- Bag for toiletries (to be kept in heated area so toiletries don’t freeze)
- Noise blocking headphones/earplugs (for the military airplanes)
- iPod (don’t forget there is no TV!)
- Backpack (roughly 36 liter capacity)
- Duffle bag to leave clothes for New Zealand in Christchurch (hiking clothes, summer clothes, etc)
- Cold/flu medications
- Cough drops (for the dry conditions at WAIS)
- Band-aids
- Vitamins
- Travel mug for hot beverages (spill proof lid and handle that attaches to belt or backpack)
- All toiletries for 3 months (there is no way to pick up additional supplies once at WAIS Divide field site): Shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, dental floss, toothbrushes, etc.
- Hiking boots
- Casual winter boots (warm but easy to slip on)
- Sneakers (for running)
- External hard drive (for large files/photos to take home with you)
- Several flash drives (2 minimum) for larger files that need to be emailed out. Will be sent on the weekly planes to McMurdo where someone will send via email for you. Flash drives will then be returned to you on the next plane back to WAIS.
- Camera and extra memory cards
- 2 hairbrushes (in case one breaks as happened to me right before I left!)
- Eye drops (plenty for dry conditions)
- Sunglasses – At least two pairs polarized; Julbo glacier glasses
- Pens (I brought 2 space pens and 1 all weather pen. These pens work in temperatures of -30 degrees or lower, can be used upside down, and can write underwater. I was mostly interested in their ability to work at very cold temperatures.)
- Envelopes and stamps (US) for any mail I may want to send over the 3 months including Holiday cards.
- Writing paper and cards
- Journal
- Chapstick (tins of Dermatone)
- Calendar
- Harp
- Harp music
- Extra harp strings!
- Watch (several time zones, waterproof, alarm, etc)
- Alarm clocks – battery and wind up (I packed several as I am a sound sleeper)
- Towel (shower and hand)
- Nalgene bottle
- New Zealand touring book (for planning time in New Zealand after Antarctica)
- Flag (to mark your tent so you can find it!)
- Headphone splitter (to watch movies with others)
- Stuffed penguin (of course!)
- Silk sleeping bag liner
- Books
- DVDs
- Things to decorate tent! (I brought battery operated Christmas lights and some expandable cloth boxes to organize my things in my tent)
- Headlamp (for McMurdo dorms)
- Extra batteries: AA, AAA, 9 volt, rechargeable (3 month supply in very cold temperatures)
- Smartwool socks (2 pair heavy, 2 pair medium, 3 pairs light. The CDC provided 6 additional pairs of thick socks)
- Long underwear: 1 pair heavy (equivalent of capilene 4), 2 pairs light (equivalent of capilene 2). The CDC provided 2 additional pairs of light, and one of the heavy long underwear.
- Wind pants for skiing/jogging
- Mittens
- Small sewing kit
- Neck gator
- Face mask
- Sunblock (with zinc oxide)
- Any games (cards, Frisbee, football, etc)
- Metal water bottle
- Energy converter/adapter for New Zealand
- Moisturizing lotion (for 3 months in very dry conditions)
- 2 casual outfits of cold weather clothes for McMurdo
- Two wool sweaters
- Fleece sweaters/vests
- Hats (any fun winter hats that will distinguish you from others. The CDC provided 2 additional hats)
- Goggles
- Winter jacket to use as shell for skiing/jogging
- Extra ziplock bags
Bags:
Commercial flights:
- Checked in baggage: Two large duffles
- Carry on baggage: backpack and harp
Military flights:
- Allowed a total of 150 pounds
- Checked bags:
o Two large duffles (New Zealand clothes removed)
o One orange CDC bag of extra Antarctic gear
o One harp (optional! )
o One orange CDC bag checked but designated as the “boomerang bag” packed with essential items (to be returned to you if the plane does not reach its destination and has to turn around – everything else besides your carry on will remain on the plane, sometimes for several days)
- Carry on:
One orange CDC bag containing the required Antarctic gear for the flight and materials for the flight such as books, computer, etc.
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