19 August 2017 My Bags Are Packed and I'm Ready To Go!

Let the Arctic Research Begin!

My bags have been packed and repacked four times already, however I think I have the ability to give it one more try! Packing clothes and items for a month in the Arctic, to join Dr. Carin Ashjian and the research team means some serious clothing choices have to be made. I’m aiming for a total of three bags and at the moment NOT ONE of them can zip shut. This is getting serious. It’s time for one last clothing cut. All fluff has to be left behind.

What Made the Final Cut?

Packing for an Arctic Expedition! Bag #1. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017

Steel toed boots, two zip-necked long sleeve base layer shirts, two short-sleeved base layer shirts, two pairs of Carhartt pants, four pairs wool ski-socks, two ankle socks, down jacket, ski-jacket, two jackets for layering underneath the heavy stuff, heavy weather jacket and pants, two pairs winter gloves, two pairs work gloves, pair of insulated rubber gloves, three hats, five t-shirts, sweatshirt and pants, pjs, chicken clogs (yes, chicken clogs…ask my sister), comfy wind pant, seven pairs of underwear and….one nice shirt I’ll try to save to wear home.

Packing for an Arctic Expedition! Bag #2. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.

Add shampoo, face and body lotion (it’s dry up there!), hairbrush, any possible over-the-counter-medicine-known-to-man that I could possibly need (just-in-case), tooth brush, tooth paste, water bottle, hot-drink bottle, computer, iPad, cell phone, speakers, large storage hard drive, extra wires for all of my electronics, camera and camera supplies. Next in are presents for the team, the captain and the cook and THEN add 900 postcards, which turn out to be heavier than you would think! That’s it! Bags zipped shut.

Whoops! One more thing...

A few of my favorite snacks for our Arctic research expedition! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.

SNACKS! My favorite goodies that might not be on the ship include: camomile tea, orange tea, honey, nuts, cinnamon gum and mints and finally my favorite must-have! Dark chocolate covered almonds and walnuts. Yum! Now I'm ready for the Arctic!