Packing

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This is about our trip to Antarctica. We live blogged this on TravelPod November 6 – 20, 2007 as we crossed the Equator, stopped in Santiago, flew to Ushuaia, and boarded the National Geographic Endeavor for a trip to Antarctica. Our families wanted to make sure we were alive way down there. So, this was written and published live. I am moving it from TravelPod in 2017, because TravelPod is closing. I want to preserve it, just as I wrote it, in the moment. There are so many memories, so many photos. It was–and remains–the trip of my lifetime (so far!).  And now, from the original TravelPod blog:

Distance. Solitude. Albatrosses. Whales. Penguins. Icebergs. Blues. Whites. The Midnight Sun. The Drake Passage.  “You wait. Everyone has an Antarctic.” Thomas Pynchon, V.

Monday, November 5, 2007 – Packing – Chicago, IL

It’s the day before we leave. Stuff is everywhere…waterproof pants, ziploc bags, camera cords, e:mail addresses, and a litany of notes about caring for the dogs. We’re afraid we’re forgetting something. Passports? Underwear?

We saw Venus in the eastern morning sky today…bright and shining so close to the crescent moon. It’s cold, windy today. But the leaves are still green on the maple out front. There may be flurries tomorrow in Chicago. But it’ll be spring in Antarctica, probably in the 20s. And in the 70s-80s in Santiago/Easter Island. How do you pack for this???

Pile #1
Pile #1

Well, we have 2 jumbo duffles on wheels. And a very long list of stuff that by the end of the day, needs to be tucked in and ready to go. Here are just a few of the things we’ve been told to bring:

  • 2 bright red parkas–Bryan compressed them in a giant ziploc baggie. Together, they are now the size of one muck boot.
  • 2 sets of Muck Boots–waterproof, insulated…and awkwardly big.
  • Sea-sickness pills/wristbands–just in case we’re paying the “Drake Tax”
  • Sunblock and lip balm–despite it being Antarctica, we will apparently burn! Sun reflects off of water and ice/snow. Plus, the Antarctic is missing an ozone layer.
  • Swim suits and old tennis shoes–for an Antarctic dip in Deception Islands’ hot springs.
  • 100% UV protected sunglasses–our eyes will burn too, so the advice is to bring 2 sets…just in case.
  • Multiple sets of hats, scarves, gloves and socks–so we stay dry. “you will probably get your feet wet.
  • Bring several pairs of tall, wool socks.” Damp appendages can cause bad things to happen. Great.
  • Ziploc bags to waterproof your stuff–hmmm…
  • Cameras to preserve memories–10 rolls of slide film, 13 GB of memory, 3 jump drives to back it all up, 3 cameras, laptop, video camera, batteries, battery chargers, adapters, and 2 miles of cords to connect it all.
  • Clothing layers made of stuff like wool, fleece, silk, and polyropylene
  • Shorts, walking shoes, guidebooks…
2 parkas + a muck boot
2 parkas + a muck boot
Charlie and Belle
Charlie and Belle

So, I need to wrap this up and commence to putting it all in the bags.
Stay tuned!
Carol and Bryan