Svalbard What to Pack

Unique conditions asks for unique...

by Saagar

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Unique conditions asks for unique...
by Saagar
Gear up!
by Saagar
Glacier
by maryellen50
Remains of a polar bear head
by maryellen50
Glacier
by maryellen50

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Maps for Svalbard

by Saagar

A map is handy for all travellers to Svalbard. For trekking and expedition planning a detailed map will be necessary. The best series published covering Svalbard is by the Norwegian Polar Institute's "S100" Svalbard 1:100 000 series. For Longyearbyen and environs get the map "Adventdalen" 1:100.000 published 2003. You can order it from the Polar Institute or buy in a biggish bookshop. Probably they will have all the maps readily available at Longyearbyen, too.And certainly at the Polar Institute in Tromsø: Polar Environmental Centre, 9296 Tromsø.Sysselmannen (The Governor of Svalbard) has a range of specialist maps covering various natural resource and administrative aspects of the islands; see http://www.sysselmannen.no/hovedEnkel.aspx?m=46031 . Online purchase of maps is available at kartbutikken http://www.kartbutikken.no/produktlisting.php?kategori=212 .

Packing for a weekend on Svalbard

by Saagar

A light suitcase is ideal for flights, terrrible for transfersand luggin in snow and mud. Go for a large backpack that can be zipped up and loose straps and belts and be removed/hidden like a cargo bag. Bring a small day pack for excursions, camera etc. you want to have your hands and arms free on Svalbard. Bring one set of nice clothes maximum, and do not overdo it: leave tie and jewellry at home. The only see and be seen occasion are when you are not wrapped up in polar gear is for dinners. Lightweight hiking shoes to negotiate gravel, slush, dust and mud during summer.Winter boots og heavy hiking boots with a good outer sole grip to handle winter cold and snow/ice.Bring wind proof cap, gloves, scarf, buff. For every season you should bring long underwear.Wind proof for town hiking and ice grotting. For tough weather excursions and mine tours you will be equipped with overalls,...

Summer clothing for Svalbard

by Saagar

For Svalbard summer clothing I would bring/dress up like this: short underwear, though cotton/polyester 65/35% mix pants, thin socks, jogging shoes/sneakers, plus thick socks and not too heavy hiking boots. Extra socks for indoor use, jeans or similar for indoor/restaurant use, short sleeved undershirt/Tshirt, any long sleeved simple and cheap twill/cotton shirt, light woolens. The good news is that you can buy absolutely all of these things in Longyearbyen cheaper than in Norway. So you can consider what you need once up there. A thin sweater underneath a cotton or goretex, or best: cotton/polyester 65-35% mix anorak or similar hooded wind proof outer jacket (also called "shell" these days), scarf, caps with ear flaps, thin gloves. This is what you wear, and as you get warmer you can take some of this off. But don't go on an outing without adding this in your daypack/backpack: a...

Clothing for Temperature Extremes

by maryellen50

If you are on an expedition cruise, baggage is limited so it's best to carry a large soft sided bag with wheels. Dress clothing is not required for expedition cruises so save the space for souvenirs. Travelers must be prepared for rapid weather changes. Comfortable, casual clothing is the best choice. Dress in layers to ensure warmth and comfort.Two essential pieces of clothing required for a polar voyage are a pair of rubber boots and an insulated, roomy, waterproof parka with detachable inner fleece shell with long sleeves. The waterproof outer shell can be worn alone on warm sunny days. Rubber boots are usually available on most ships.Gloves. Hat and scarf. Waterproof pants or trousers. Quick-dry socks, plus, warm, long wool or cotton socks to wear over a thin pair of silk, or polypropylene socks. Waterproof, light backpack or a dry bag to line a backpack. Hiking boots. Sunglasses...

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Listen to the experts!

by Spader

If you are cruising get a small waterproof backpack for outings and landings with the zodiacs. Think about protecting your camera from watersplashes and the odd rain- or snowfall. Really good footware is essential. Some recommend good boots others top gear wellies, all good as long as they are waterproof and comfortable and can resist the spiky stones Svalbard is full of. I had waterproof hikingboots that was good enough for most landings but not the really wet ones. I'd go for top nodge wellingtons!! Other than that, think: no cotton-water resistant -layer upon layer-windproof and warm. I wore old military stuff and that was great (and cheap)! Skinlotion for hands and face, it's very dry in Svalbard and the wind gets to your skin. Also sunlotion for the senitive skin beacause your out in the sun a lot. If travelling with M/S Origo get some medicin for seasickness. Even if you have...

Guide books

by Saagar

Bradt's "Guide to Spitsbergen" by Andreas Umbreit. ISBN 1 898323 38 0. English and German editions.I found this one by far the best. LP's "Arctic" is a bit "popish" and skims the surface only. Same for their Norway book.

Three-season gear: spring, summer and autumn

by Saagar

A backpack and a daypack. Waterproof to the extent possible Long underwear, hat, gloves, scarf any time of the year.Hiking bootsWind /rain proofs - shells, jackets and pants Nothing special needed for Svalbard, except of you are out on the snow in sunny condition: sunscreen and sunglasses. Film, film and film - and your special camera battery, which might not be available here. High-powered rifle 7.62 mm (30.06) if leaving the settlements.Tent, sleeping bag etc., including a military-style trip-wire warning system against polar bears if embarking on an overnight trip. If hiking independently outside the main settlement area, and staying overnight in the wilderness, you will need insurance guarantees and permission by the local authorities. You can avoid all this by joining an organised tour.

Winter gear for active use

by Saagar

Backpack, size according to need, for outdoor use, certainly with a draw-stringed snow lock. You need to be able to manage it without taking your gloves off. Thick, padded boots for winter use, bjekso Saami leather boots, heavy ski boots, thick woollen socks, indoor slippers.Layered clothing: long underwear, pref. wool or polyprop, not cotton unless for sedate use, extra thick layering pants, shirts, fleece jacket and wool sweater(s), windproof shell/jacket/pants, preferably cotton/polyester mix since goretex etc stiffens. Woollen hat that covers ears, perhaps balaclava, scarf, gloves and windproof glove shell, long or semi-long gaiters to keep drift snow out of the boots. Anything you prefer to take care of dry skin. Ensure the lotion or cream doesn't contain any water (or buy it in Norway - skin creams here don't contain any H2O because it freezes). Something to counter...

Bring skis

by Saagar

If you want to go skiing, you will need to bring your own or rent from any agency that have skis for rent (I don't know yet). I am planning a skiing trip and phone calls to sports stores in Longyearbyen only yielded randoneé skis, not very useful for cross-country style. Bring your own. Take steel edged mountain cross-country type sturdy skis with 75mm NNN bindings and warm ski boots - minimum...

Good planning necessary

by loisl

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Just a general comment:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!If you want to do expeditions style trecking you need to plan carefully.I do not recommend such a adventure in this very remote location without any previous expirience.If you are not an expirienced outdoorexpert you may better go with a guided tour.Adresses you find on the website below.Contact me if you need some advices.

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