1 January 2017 Gearing Up

The USAP Logo on the Terminal Building.

Today I got to go to the United States Antarctic Program terminal to gear up. A process often referred to as the bag drag... because you drag a lot of bags.

The USAP Terminal Building.

I was issued my extreme cold weather gear, which I will wear on the plane tomorrow and as needed while on the ice. Everything needs to be tried on and signed out when it is properly sized.

ECW Gear Check List.

And there is a lot of gear... parkas, gloves, overalls, everything you need. Well, almost everything, participants do need to supply their own socks and long underwear, for obvious reasons.

Labeled ECW Gear.

From there you pack your gear and weight is crucial. You only get 85 lbs of gear including your ECW gear. That might sound like a lot but it doesn't go as far as you'd think. The UASP has this down to a science o they help you figure out how to pack it. You need to pack it into checked luggage, carry on, and boomerang bag. You see flights sometimes take off and are forced back by weather. And you will need clothes to live in while your other stuff remains palleted until you can try again. Hopefully, I won't boomerang tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Ice Flight Baggage Information.