Extreme Cold Weather Gear Issue

November 6, 2008

I leave for Antarctica early tomorrow morning!

Full day in Christchurch, New Zealand. A shuttle picked us up this afternoon from the Windsor B&B and delivered us to a warehouse full of Extreme Cold Weather (ECW) clothing. I now possess 22 pounds of new (used) US Antarctic Program clothing, including long underwear, shirts, pants, boots, socks, gloves, mittens, liners, goggles, hats, a windbreaker, and an enormous red down jacket that would keep Will Smith warm in Siberia.

After trying on clothes to get the right fit, we sorted luggage. I have five separate bags: two checked suitcases (under the 75lb total weight limit), one carry-on bag, one to leave in New Zealand, and a “boomerang bag” with a change of clothes in case the airplane turns around mid-flight due to inclement weather. Our laptops were screened (Skype is not allowed and anti-virus software must be installed) and everyone got flu shots. I have a particular phobia of needles and must lie down flat to avoid fainting, so was glad when that part was over.

So, tomorrow morning I will see the frozen continent for the first time. If the weather doesn’t turn us back en route. Can’t wait!

Extreme Cold Weather Gear Warehouse

Michelle, David, Katie, Me, and Kirsten in Christchurch, NZ