Journal Entry

I started thinking about what to pack months ago.

Ich habe vor Monaten darüber nachgedacht, was ich packen soll.

Those of you that know me, know that we have some German family. I thought it would be nice to write one journal that is at least partially in German. While most of the family speak English, there is one very special person who does not speak (or read) English. This is for her.

Diejenigen von Ihnen, die mich kennen, wissen, dass wir eine deutsche Familie haben. Ich dachte, es wäre schön, eine Zeitschrift zu schreiben, die zumindest teilweise auf Deutsch ist. Während der Großteil der Familie Englisch spricht, gibt es eine ganz besondere Person, die kein Englisch spricht (oder liest). Das ist für sie.

It was just about a week ago that I started laying out all of my gear. Vor ungefähr einer Woche legte ich meine gesamte Ausrüstung an.

PackingEverything is ready to be packed.

A Norwegian proverb says: There is no bad weather, just bad clothing.

Ein norwegisches Sprichwort sagt: Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung

Even though we are issued our Extreme Cold Weather gear, we are required to bring everything else that we might want or need. Even though my team and I will be deployed to some very remote and very cold and windy locations, we still want to pack all of the things that you normally need when traveling. So I’ll need everything from a towel to toothpaste, nail clippers to socks.

Obwohl wir unsere Ausrüstung für extremes kaltes Wetter erhalten haben, müssen wir sie mitbringen alles andere, was wir wollen oder brauchen. Obwohl mein Team und ich sein werden an einigen sehr abgelegenen und sehr kalten und windigen Standorten eingesetzt haben wir immer noch möchten alle Dinge packen, die Sie normalerweise auf Reisen benötigen. Also brauche ich alles vom Handtuch bis zur Zahnpasta, vom Nagelknipser bis zum Socken.

Prescription SunglassesRather than deal with contacts, Mike Penn ordered prescription sunglasses for use in Antarctica. Sleeping maskBecause there will be 24 hours of daylight, I'll need this sleeping mask.

The United States Antarctic Program Participant’s guide has a sample list.

Der Leitfaden für Teilnehmer des Antarktisprogramms der Vereinigten Staaten enthält eine Musterliste.

Should I pack a bathing suit, a raincoat, and slippers?

Soll ich Badesachen, Regenmantel und Hausschuhe mitbringen?

I haven’t decided yet. There is not a swimming pool, but there is a sauna at the South Pole. A raincoat? Yes, it is late fall in New Zealand and it is typically rainy there at this time of year. I will be bringing several pairs of shoes, a big pair of hiking boots, a pair of hiking shoes and a pair of slippers for indoors.

Ich habe mich noch nicht entschieden. Es gibt keinen Pool, aber einen Sauna am Südpol. Ein Regenmantel? Ja, es ist Spätherbst in Neuseeland und zu dieser Jahreszeit ist es normalerweise regnerisch. Ich werde mitbringen mehrere Paar Schuhe, ein großes Paar Wanderschuhe, ein Paar Wandern Schuhe und ein Paar Hausschuhe für drinnen.

Other things I’m packing.

Andere Sachen, die ich packe.

I have a Visa for staying in NZ for up to a year, my passport, flu shot verification and copies of all of my medical and physical qualification paperwork.

Ich habe ein Visum für einen Aufenthalt von bis zu einem Jahr in Neuseeland, meinen Pass und die Überprüfung der Influenza und Kopien meiner gesamten medizinischen und körperlichen Qualifikationspapiere.

PassportI'll need my passport and my New Zealand Visa paperwork.

I’m also packing a power adapter for use in New Zealand but all of the American stations will use the standard 110-volt electrical plug.

Ich packe auch ein Netzteil für den Gebrauch in Neuseeland Amerikanische Stationen verwenden den standardmäßigen 110-Volt-Stecker.

Power AdaptersNew Zealand has a different power and plug system than we do, so I'll need these power adapters.

I’ll need to get a bit of New Zealand money at the airport in Christchurch, NZ.

Ich werde am Flughafen in Christchurch, Neuseeland, etwas neuseeländisches Geld bekommen.

I will need cash at the South Pole, but can use a credit card in McMurdo. Speaking of credit cards, I called my credit card company to let then know that I’d be traveling so that they didn’t think my card had been stolen and somebody was traveling the world on my card!

Ich brauche Bargeld am Südpol, kann aber eine Kreditkarte in McMurdo verwenden. Apropos Kreditkarten, ich rief meine Kreditkartenfirma an, um wissen zu lassen, dass ich so Sie glaubten nicht, dass meine Karte gestohlen worden war und jemand unterwegs war Welt auf meiner Karte!

I’m bringing my phone for when I can use it as a camera (there is, of course, no cell phone service) on Antarctica. I have a PolarTREC issued “tough camera”, and my GoPro. I’ll also be bringing my PolarTREC issued laptop, my iPad and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for the flights.

Ich bringe mein Telefon mit, wenn ich es als Kamera verwenden kann (es gibt natürlich kein mobile Service) in der Antarktis. Ich habe einen PolarTREC ausgestellt "Harte Kamera" und meine GoPro. Ich werde auch meinen PolarTREC mitbringen Laptop, mein iPad und ein Paar Kopfhörer mit Geräuschunterdrückung flüge.

Tough CameraPolarTREC issued me this tough camera for use on The Ice.

What am I forgetting?

Was vergesse ich?

Comments

Adrianna

Can you pack unnecessary things like a book our a little game that you can play why you are getting out of the snow.

Mike Penn

Adrianna, We could pack just about anything we wanted to bring. The problem was weight. We are limited to bringing only 85 lbs. That might sound like a lot, but it really isn't when you are packing for a month or more in Antarctica. I brought an iPad that I downloaded a bunch of books. The only actual book I brought was very small. The funny thing is, that book is called "The Mountains of Madness" and is essentially the Antarctic horror story! I also brought this computer to communicate with you and other students. However, there is VERY limited internet access so there is no surfing the internet. The main form of games here are cards and a game called Cribbage.

Mike Penn

Thank you, Simeon! I appreciate you reading my journal and taking the time to say an encouraging word! I brought a few books and some headphones. I was too excited on the way down to get bored!

Mike Penn

Alexa, The hardest part was making sure that I stayed below 85 lbs of gear. It turns out that I would have packed differently now that I know what it is like. The next question asks what I would choose not to bring now that I'm here, so I'll answer that question there! I appreciate you reading my journal and taking the time to write a question!

Mike Penn

Audrey, yes there are! I brought more fleece jackets/pullovers than I need. I don't know if I'm just a warm person, because lots of other people are pretty bundled up inside the buildings, but I've been comfortable without a fleece. I also brought a pair of hiking boots that I don't need. The bunny boots are GREAT in the snow...almost too good really. And around town my hiking shoes are fine. I packed a lot of socks, but I should have packed more. My feet get sweaty and the secret to happiness is dry socks! I appreciate you reading my journal and taking the time to ask a question!

Simeon Moea'i

Hey, I hope you dont get bored while traveling. Have a good time!

Alexa

What was the most challenging part about packing and deciding what to/what not to bring?

Audrey Clarke

Is there anything that you wish you would have packed now that you're in Antarctica? Is there anything extra that you packed?

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