A (brief) packing Guide for your Expedition to Antarctica
Like with all cold weather adventuring - everything is unpredictable and layering is key when heading to Antarctica. This is everything that I packed for my 15 day expedition to South Georgia Island and Antarctica.
I have been trying me best to be a minimalist packer (I only had one checked bag and was also doing a full climbing trip in Patagonia on the same trip) I also did take advantage of our ship’s laundry service a few times throughout our sailing, it was expensive but not unreasonable.
I wore mostly loungewear + a jacket on the ship and any time I was off ship I added in an outer layer, some gloves and a toque. It felt very similar to Canadian winters so I think I may have had a small advantage.
Clothing to pack
Baselayer top and bottm - I would bring three sets to rotate between. I wore these 99% of my waking hours.
note: I am allergic to most wools so I tend to go with a synthetic. But if you aren’t, merino is amazing.
Arc'teryx Rho Lightweight Crew Neck Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top
Smartwool Classic All-Season Merino Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top
Thick warm socks (preferably wool)
Waterproof Pants (optional : jacket). Waterproof pants were mandatory on our packing list. They need to be wide enough at the base to go over large rain boots (my narrow hiking pants did not quite work, and try to find some with really high zippers on the side for easy use). I also brought my own rain jacket because I know jackets fit me weird and I wanted to ensure I was comfortable.
Hats - I would bring one toque and one ball cap.
Glove Liners
Fleece Jacket and sweatshirt
Down Jacket – Great warmth to weight ratio for layering on and off the ship.
Patagonia Fitz Roy Jacket - this is my favourite jacket, it comes out in August typically and sells out (very) quickly. I always post it to my stories when it becomes available.
Leggings or pants. Whatever you are comfortable in. There is a lot of time hanging out on board. A lot of people wore jeans, I did not.
Shirts. Depending on your duration - I brought and wore only a few shirts and then sent them out for laundry.
Comfortable Shoes - I wore these slippers all of the time on the ship and it was my best decision. They are easy to get on and off and have great traction.
Gym Clothes - I used the gym nearly ever day. And would just sink wash them with laundry sheets every day when I hopped into the shower and dry them on the towel rack (it was heated) and they were good to go (or at least nobody complained)
accessories and miscellaneous
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Lip Chap with SPF
Daypack
Swimsuit
Converters/adaptors
Medication - I get very sea sick and brought medication from my doctor with me but our on board doctor also had ample.
Toiletries
Camera and tech
Fujifilm X100V APS-C Digital Rangefinder Camera + spare batteries
Fujifilm X-H2S Mirrorless Digital Camera + spare batteries
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR Lens
Fujifilm XF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens
Peak Design Capture Camera Clip
Garmin fenix 7S Sapphire Solar Multisport GPS Watch
CHAFON Multi Charging Cable Short (plus one lightning cable)
A ADDTOP Solar Charger Power Bank
iPhone 14 Pro (all of my videos for stories and reels are recorded on this)
What NOT to bring
There are a few times that your ship will provide for you (do triple check this with your ship though) - so these are not necessary to pack with you.
Boots – you can check this before you go - but most ships provide outdoor Muck Boots for all landings.
Heavy expedition style parka – most expedition companies will offer you this to borrow (our in our case keep) for your expedition. If not, you will need a =heavy waterproof jacket (the one I noted above will work perfectly)
Lifejackets and all safety equipment - maybe this goes without saying but the ship will provide this.
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I once posted a story on Instagram, perhaps my most replied to story ever, explicitly stating the reason that I do not personally geotag specific locations on social media. I have a small set of rules that I follow that summed up are “if there is a parking lot, I can tell people where it is” - outside of that I am fine receiving pushback for allegedly gatekeeping locations or being selfish. I understand the innate privilege that I have in being born (oftentimes too) curious.It is what drives me to find new and interesting places to see, it is the reason that instead of going out for drinks with a friend or watching a movie with my partner I can more often than not be found scouring old guidebooks and the depths of google earth and Pinterest blogs to find places I have never been before.