I joined the tribe of "official" ECW monsters today!
Heidi, Mike, Christine, Collin, and I just returned from the United States Antarctic Program's (USAP) CDC where we tried on, exchanged, returned, and packed all our Antarctic ECW.
The CDC warehouse
The CDC is organized & ready for the summer Ice season.
When I arrived at the CDC there were two orange duffel bags with my name on them packed with all the gear the USAP determined to adequately keep me safe, even in the extremely cold Antarctic. There were all types of long johns, goggles, jackets, socks, gloves, hats, and ski pants inside the bags. The duffels were labeled- one with a "carry-on" tag, and the other with a "checked" luggage tag.
Heidi with her ECW bags!
Having never met me, the CDC staff packed my bag with sizes they assumed would fit me based upon information I filled out on one of the tons of forms I completed this summer. Their guesses as to what clothes fit me were right on sometimes, but I still tried on every article in the bags to make sure everything was comfortable. Also, not all the gear in my ECW is brand new so I had to make sure there were no holes or broken zippers. The last thing I would want is ill-fitting or broken gear on the Ice.
It even has my name Velcro-ed to it!
If the gear did not feel right I got to exchange it. I also traded in some styles of gloves for a type that is better suited for the work I am doing in Antarctica.
which gloves should I bring? Both!
I was so happy that Heidi was there trying everything on with me. She and I kept asking each other "do you think this fits?" Christine, being the Antarctic veteran of the DOM team was very patient in answering my questions and in helping me repack the orange duffle bags so that all the ECW were in the correct bags.
While at the CDC I got a flu shot and a bottle of hand sanitizer. The nurse also took my temperature to make sure I was not sick before my upcoming flight to the Ice. The USAP tries very hard to ensure that everyone on the Ice is as healthy as possible. Getting sick in Antarctica is not a good thing as viral illness spread quickly through research stations or field camps, much like they do in classrooms and schools.
At least I do not mind getting a shot
Tomorrow morning I am headed back to the ECW at 4:30AM to put on the ECW that I have in the "carry-on" duffel, and to make sure that all my "checked" luggage, the other orange duffel and my duffel I brought packed with gear from home, are ready to go. I am flying off to Antarctic tomorrow! Please keep your fingers crossed that the weather is great and the ice is solid so my plane may land at McMurdo Station on Ross Island, Antarctica.