It may only be August but I have to start packing for my November trip to Antarctica now. The main reason is that there are limits on how much you can take on the airplane. I also have to consider the fact that I will be gone for over six weeks and that means that I will need a lot of different things to make my life bearable. Stacy (that's my researcher or PI as she is called) was kind enough to send me a list of possible things that I might want to take to Antarctica. I also read the USAP (United States Antarctica Program) Participant Guide. It is a publication that is sent to anyone who is going to Antarctica. It includes general information about Antarctica, some of the history surrounding Antarctica, a list of everything you need to be able to go to Antarctica (passport, medical testing, etc.), travel advice, information about life on Antarctica, descriptions of the various stations and ships, and what and how to pack. If you are interested in reading the USAP Participant Guide yourself, then go to the following website, http://www.usap.gov/travelAndDeployment/contentHandler.cfm?id=541.
I looked at the list of items recommended in the USAP Participant Guide and the list that Stacy had sent me and then I thought about what I would need to have to make my trip bearable. I tried to limit the list of items as much as I could but there were a few things that I thought I just had to have (you can try to figure out what those essential items are by reading my list).
Stacy asked everyone to send a box with as many items as possible to the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories by August 12th. She was planning to ship several of the research items on a cargo ship and she wanted to include as much of our stuff as possible. I was very busy and waited until the last minute to pack my box and take it to the post office to mail to Stacy. It ended up costing me quite a bit of money but fortunately it arrived in time to be included in the shipment.
The following is a list of the items that I included in my green duffle bag.
towel (1), washcloth (1), shower shoes (1 pair), brown indoor shoes (1 pair), sneakers (1 pair), sock liners (4 pair), socks - medium (2 pair), socks (1) and gloves (1) - light wear, sunscreen (1), lotion (1), shampoo (1), hair conditioner (1), shower gel (1), toothbrush (1), toothpaste (1), dental floss (1), deodorant (1), body powder (1), foot powder (1), facial cleaner (1 - 2oz bottle), facial moisturizer (1 - 2oz bottle), facial toner (1 - 2oz bottle), hand moisturizer (1-1.7oz tube), skin ointment (1 tin), body mist spray (1-1oz bottle), perfume (1-.24oz bottle), lip gloss (2), razor (1), Q-Tips (1 package), moleskin (8 pieces), comb (1), hairbrush (1), tissue (2 large, 2 small), dryer sheets (1 box), plastic food container (2 with tops), earplugs (3 pair in plastic case), nail kit - small scissors, tweezers, nail file, nail clippers, sewing kit - thread, needles, thimble, measuring tape, small scissors, laundry bag (1), lock (1) , ziploc bags (1 extra large, 5 large, 5 medium, 5 small), playing cards (1 deck), mechanical pencils with lead (2 packs), Pepcid (1 sealed bottle of 65 tablets), powder drink mix (185 single serve packs), powder coffee mix (42 single serve packs), DVD's (6)
It sounds like a lot but I managed to get it all in a rather small duffle bag. Here's a picture of the items before I packed the duffle bag.
These are the items that I sent to Moss Landing Marine Laboratories to be shipped to Antarctica. They will b e waiting for me when I arrive in November.
However, my items weren't the only thing that got packed on August 13th. Stacy, Bob, DJ, and Scott packed up as much of the research equipment as possible. They started by lining up the containers and the padding.
The process of packing and shipping involves using special containers and padding supplies.
Every container had to be filled up. One thing that you cannot use to pack the boxes is Styrofoam peanuts. Scott and DJ are using bubble wrap. Why do you think that Styrofoam peanuts are not allowed?
Each container must be packed to capacity. They are using bubble wrap to fill in any empty space.
The process was rather involved. They had to pack and label everything. Each box had to contain a list of all of the items that were in it and a copy was also made for Stacy. All of the boxes needed to weigh about the same amount and be less than 200 pounds each.
The maximum weight for each container is 200 pounds.
Most of the boxes will be frozen during the long journey but anything that cannot be frozen must be clearly labeled. They also had to take special precautions for any items that could be considered hazardous. Once each box is packed and labeled then it needs to be screwed shut and banded with at least 2 steel bands.
After the container is packed and labeled it must be screwed shut and wrapped with at least two steel bands.
It was quite a bit of work but they managed to get everything done on time and have fun while they did it.
Packing was an arduous process but they made sure to have fun doing it. DJ and Scott consider shipping Bob to Antarctica a little ahead of everyone else.
It is obvious that a lot of stuff got shipped to Antarctica. However, there is still a lot more that will need to be sent. Another shipment of research equipment will be sent in September. I also still have several things that I will take on the plane with me, including clothes, computer, camera, and anything else that Stacy needs me to bring.
There is a lot that needs to be done to make this trip successful. It is no wonder that Stacy has to start planning a year in advance to make it all work out. If we get to Antarctica and realize that we forgot something, then that's a real problem because it takes a long time to get things sent to Antarctica and the cost is very high. I am already organizing my stuff for my trip in November. I hope I don't forget anything that I just have to have. What would you have to have to make life bearable in a place that doesn't have a shopping mall?