| Tips on what to pack for a trip to Antarctica, posted by real travelers and Antarctica locals. |
 | Antarctica Packing Lists | Tips 1 - 10 of 44 |  |
There really isn't any place to shop in Antarctica. Perhaps some of the cruise ships have shops or canteens on them, but I wouldn't know. It's important that you pack considering all sorts of contingencies. This is especially true for medicines and toiletries.
In hindsight wished I had packed more medicines. I picked up a cold on my flight from Canada to Chile but it didn't really materialize until I got to Antarctica. I hadn't packed any cold medicines or throat lozenges and consequently fairly miserable a lot of the time. (I'd still rather be miserable in Antarctica than bored at home).
I recommend for packing things such as:
-cough/cold flu medicines
-throat lozenges
-seasickness meds
-antacids/stomach upset remedies
-allergy medicine
-headache medicine
-lip balm Leave a Comment
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Almost without fail, we had all packed far to many cold weather clothes. It was nowhere near as cold as I expected, only dropping to minus two.
Bring waterproof trousers as you will get a wet bottom sitting in the Zodiacs.
Wellies can be hired in Ushuaia through a company called Antarctic Equipment. Wellies are a necessity as you sometimes land in 8 inches of water.
Our ship had a very relaxed dress code, apart from the Captain's parties (welcome and farewell), jeans was the order of the day. Even for the Captain's parties dressing up was optional.
Wear thermal underwear or leggings under your waterproof trousers, it makes it easier to move and is more comfortable.
Layers are more convenient as it can get quite warm if you climb to the top of glaciers. Two of our ladies became known as the Calender Girls when they stripped to their bras after a particularly hot climb!
The ship's interior became very hot and many people wore shorts on board.
Everything you might need - there are no drug-stores in Antarctica! There was a small shop on board, but it only stocked things like film, batteries, post cards and T-shirts.
Suntan lotion! It might not be your first thought, but the air is clear (no pollution), there's a hole in the ozone layer and the sun is remarkably strong. A sunburnt nose is not very becoming!
Lots and lots and lots and lots of film!!!!! Leave a Comment
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Of all the holidays I’ve been on, I think this was the hardest to pack for! I had to consider:
- temperatures of 40 degrees and over in Buenos Aires where we spent the first couple of days
- temperatures well below freezing in the Antarctic itself
- dressy clothes needed for the two formal evening events on board ship
- casual comfortable clothing for the rest of the time
- and all in one suitcase as the cabins are small and space limited!
One thing that helped in all this planning was that a warm parka is provided to every traveller when you go on board, and this is yours to keep as a souvenir. So you don’t have to worry about taking a warm top layer – but you do need to leave space to take it home if you want it!
To combat the cold I took a couple of sets of silk thermal underwear for the landings, but with my other layers (and temperatures only just below freezing) I was really warm on our first trip in the zodiacs and didn’t bother wearing them again.
Another essential item is a pair of Wellington boots for landings. I was surprised at this requirement as I’d expected hiking boots or warm sheepskin boots to be needed. But when you realise that at some landing places it’s necessary to wade the last few feet in icy water you appreciate the reason for these boots.
If you use film, make sure you bring plenty – although the shop on board has supplies, prices are high. The same applies to batteries. For some wildlife photos a long lens is necessary but even without this you’ll get good shots of the penguins who, it seemed to me, couldn’t wait to pose for the tourists! I also recommend you bring binoculars for whale and bird spotting.
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Take an eye shade and earplugs with you. The eye shade is because if you are there in the austral summer (like 99.9% of people), the sun will shine most or all of the night. I don't know what the cruise ships are like, but on our little yacht there was a hatch in each cabin that couldn't be covered. The light didn't bother me, but it was worth taking an eye shade just in case. If you are the slightest bit sensitive to light, this is a must have item.
The ear plugs are to ensure that the sounds your boat or your roomate makes don't keep you from getting a good rest. Leave a Comment
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Make sure you have plenty of batteries for your cameras, camcorders or other battery-powered equipment. When the temperature is cold, batteries lose their charge in a fraction of the time they normally would.
Even if you have rechargables, you probably want a spare so that you can have one charging all of the time. If you have rechargeables you'll also want to check ahead of time that you will have the facilities to charge them (i.e. power outlet). Leave a Comment
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Antarctica turned me into a backpacker. No, I don't mean I smoke weed and hug trees. I mean that I discovered the usefullness of carrying your gear on your back so as to keep your hands free for all those times you're going to bust your arse when you slip on the Ice or stumble over loose rocks. Food for thought.
Depends. Work or play? Believe it or not, with all the gear you have to pile on to stay warm in Antarctica, physical exertion does make one sweat in no time flat. Wear anything that wicks away sweat and dries quickly. Because once you stop moving, that sweaty thermal underwear starts to get cold.
I'm particularly fond of my North Face gear, but you'll be provided with a warm parka by your tour guide, etc., for outside excursions.
SUNSCREEN. I'll repeat it. If you are going to Antarctica when the sun is up, wear sunscreen. And reapply it. Frequently. I used SPF 30 when I was camped on the Ross Ice Shelf for two days. Applied it the first morning and then in the afternoon. Notice how pink my face was in my pic? Yeah. More frequently than that...
Bring spare batteries, because no one has them. Or they don't have any that haven't been in a box since the days of the heroic explorers. Camera batteries you will definitely not find, but if you're a seasoned traveller, you should know this. Keep batteries next to your body to keep them warm, or the cold will kill them fast. I mean FAST. Ever killed two double A's in just ten minutes after only ten digital pics? This place'll do it. And don't forget filters. A polarized filter is especially useful. During the summer, your pictures may come out looking washed out if you don't use the right filters.
Whatever floats your boat.
If you're on a charter, then your travel company should provide you with most of what you need. Check with them to see what you might want to bring along. I understand that having your own Wellington boots for excursions on the peninsula is a good idea. The downside is that you have to lug around some fairly large boots during your trip, not something a light-weight traveller like me likes.
If you're working at a USAP station, you'll be provided with or can acquire most of what you need onsite. Nobody wants you getting stir-crazy, so if you want a good mountaineering tent and other supplies to go camp out on the Ice for a weekend, they'll be happy to accomodate.
A wrist watch.
Yes, that sounds stupid until you've spent seven months without one in a place where it's hard to judge the time by looking at the sky. Leave a Comment
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Wellies are the best solution for using the Zodiak. The beaches will never be totally flat and in 95% of all landing-places you will not find a pier, but you rather have to step into the water and that is best when wearing wellies, AND make sure they are as high as possible, mine were around 50 cm high, that was sufficient.
Unfortunately Wellies will have an important disadvantage : you will feel cold all the time, even with 3 pairs of socks.
Some of the most expensive ships will provide all passengers with complimentary wellies,but on the Bark Europa we had to bring our own.
Renting the Wellies in Ushuaia is possible as well for 40 ARG.$ (=10 euros for 22 days), while bying them in another shop is just a bit more expensive like 60 ARG.$ (=15 euros) that I had to pay for mine - see my shopping-tips. Leave a Comment
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Waterproof day pack for taking on shore landings
Gum Boots- wellingtons etc. there are several options
1) bring them with you-they are heavy and take up a lot of space
2) Hire them from Turismo Ushuaia (Gob Paz) for US$20 or 60 pesos PLUS $50US deposit
3) Buy them in Ushuaia from the general store in the main street San Martin for 20-25 pesos, this the cheapest and best option
4) there are some available on the boat but this cant be guaranteed
OTHER CLOTHES
1) Water proof ski pants
2) water proof gloves, under gloves that you can use to manipulate your camera
3) Water proof and lined jacket
4) Beanie and head band
5) Sunglasses
6) sunscreen, moisturiser and lip balm
7)long sleeve thermals plus long johns to wear under your ski pants
8) lots of socks ( you need 2 pairs in you r gum boots when landing)and under wear (wahsing is expensive (ie US$1.50 per pair of underpants)
9) 4 or 5 Tshirts and long pants ect to wear around the boat
10) Maybe somthing nice to wear to the captains dinner-farewell, but most people dont bother so you may be way over dressed
For sea sickness there are a range of solutions available, if you get sea sick or a not sure PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!!!!!!!!! here are a few ideas
1) Stematil - general antinausea medication availableon presecription
2) Sea bands - available in Australian chemists, but not in Ushuaian pharmacias, they are for sale at Turismo Ushuaia (Gob Paz) or for US$20 on the boat
3) Other people had patches that stick behind you ear, not sure where you get them
4) Ginger tablets
5) If all else fails the doctor on board can give you a shot in the butt.
The explorer has european style 2 prong power points, if you need to charge camera batteries, you will need an adapter. Australian plugs fit into STH American plugs and you can buy an adapter from any hardware store (ferreteria) for 1.80pesos (90cents Aus)
-cold sucks battery power so keep them warm
- There is a charger available at the reception desk on the boat
- Memory cards are also available for purchase on the boat
- The digital camera mention on the web site is available but you have to ask for it Leave a Comment
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Dont forget to bring gloves !!! My best ones were really cheap gloves, ment for sports like Nordic Walking, they were thin and getting dry rather fast, I could wear them also while making my photos and even in heavy rain- or snowfall they kept my fingers warm, although they had been totally wet.
Also for the rides in the Zodiak gloves are essential, because the speed and the wind will otherwise make you feel terrible without any protection for your fingers. Leave a Comment
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Riding a Zodiak is a lot of fun in sunny weather. In Antarctica there will be rough seas and in each ride you might get totally wet, when you dont have a really good weather-gear ! Forget about Goretex and similar things that might be recommended in your shop at home, these people have no idea about getting wet in the Antarctic and what it feels like to walk in such clothings, while an icy wind is blowing... Leave a Comment
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