Packing List

Many people have asked me what kind of gear I needed for this trip to the High Arctic.

Packing List from the National Geographic Explorer:

A heavy jacket/parka

A waterproof rain jacket

Waterproof pants

Waterproof ski mittens or gloves

Polypropylene gloves to wear as liners

Wool or fleece ski cap

Neck gaiter

One pair of fully waterproof knee-high rubber boots with sturdy, high traction soles

Comfortable walking shoes

One full set of thermal or silk long underwear

3-4 pairs of warm, sturdy, tall wool socks

Silk or polypropylene sock liners

2-3 pairs of warm, casual trousers to wear under waterproof pants; wool and fleece reommended

Fleeces, sweaters and other layered clothing

Bathing suit

1-2 pairs of UV sunglasses

Personal toiletries, including sunblock, lotion, and lipbalm

Camera, memory cards, battery charger

Binoculars: 7 x 35, 8 x 40, or 10 x 40

A waterproof rucksack

Travel alarm clock

Here's my big red Arctic parka:

Some days the weather was too warm for Big Red, so I would layer with fleeces and down parkas under my windproof raincoat.

Bogs were recommended highly as footwear. These are the classic style and are completely water-proof and rated for up to -30 below. I found them to be fine for hiking if I wore thick socks.

Here are a variety of bottoms that I mixed and matched: Uniqlo heatech leggings, fleece pants, and an outer waterproof layer.

To keep my extremities warm, I had very thick socks and a double pair of gloves. I was rarely without my fleece-lined wool hat and neck gaiter.