Svalbard personal equipment packing list -- 2011
I. OUTER WEAR
Most of our days will be spent in small open boats working in
the fjord. For such work we are required to wear full survival
suits while we work. We will be renting those suits for you.
However, all of the gear and equipment listed below will be
needed for general use and when we hike overland to study
the glaciers, etc. Remember this old Norwegian saying
“There is no such thing as bad weather,
only bad clothing!”
No such
thing as
bad
weather;
only bad
clothing!
Waterproof rain gear. You will need a high quality set of
rain jacket and pants. These should be a waterproof
breathable fabric like GoreTex. Buy the best you can afford
(e.g., Marmot, North Face, etc), as you will be living in these
day in and day out, and there is no way to get replacement
equipment if anything fails. Some of us really like the rain
paints with built-in suspenders or bibs. We recommend uninsulated rain shells, as you can then add or remove inner
insulation layers depending on your level of activity (e.g.,
you’re likely to get hot and steamy hiking in the rain, but will cool off quickly after you’ve sat still
in the boat for two hours).
High rubber boots. You will need comfortable, WATERPROOF rubber boots. We wear these
while working in the boat with the rented survival suits, but also for hiking and crossing streams.
They need to be at least 18” high or your feet will get flooded crossing deep streams and that’s no
fun. They need to be comfortable; we wear them nearly every day all day. Here’s the type we
mean:
Julie likes her Muck boots, see http://www.muckbootcompany.com/
Emily is wondering if
her boots are tall enough!
Warm hats. You will want several different, compact hats ranging
from a simple baseball cap to a warm full-head covering balaclava. You
may also want a waterproof hat with a wide brim. Since you’ll be
wearing different hats frequently, make sure each one is
foldable/stuffable (i.e., no sombreros).
Hiking boots. You must have comfortable (broken in) sturdy hiking
boots. Waterproof hiking boots (e.g. Gore-tex lined) are highly
recommended. Be sure you can hike 5-10 miles in your boots without
getting blisters. If you need to buy boots, do it now and start wearing them regularly. We have
some pictures of some severely blistered feet we can show you if you doubt the importance of
breaking your boots in! Bring many pairs (4-6) of your favorite synthetic socks that match your
boots. Also, bring an extra pair of insoles for your boots (so one set can dry out!)
Gloves. Fingers get cold quickly and can become useless. Like your hats, you will want several
pairs of gloves. We’ve found thin liner gloves very handy when working in mild temperatures and
thicker mittens for cold rainy days. As you will be working in the fjord with equipment going into
and out of the water you will need waterproof over-gloves that are rugged and sturdy because you
will be hauling on ropes and lines as well. We really like synthetic “gripper gloves” (often sold in
hardware stores) to wear when hauling sediments traps out of the water. Even better than hardware
store gloves are those used for ice fishing that are textured neoprene gloves. You can get these from
sporting goods stores.
II. Inner Wear
Wicking, synthetic underclothes. You will want at least two complete sets of synthetic
underclothes (3 may be better). These form the base of your layered clothing system and make the
difference between being warm and happy or cold, clammy, and miserable.
Insulating layers. Depending on how cold you get, bring along appropriate synthetic insulating
layers. You’ll have to judge for yourself, but remember temperatures are likely to be between 35
and 45 deg F often with cold katabatic winds blowing down from the glacier. I bring a thin
synthetic “sweater” and a thicker pile jacket. On my legs, I typically wear synthetic trousers over
thin polypro long underwear. As you may imagine, the survival suits that are designed to keep you
warm in the frigid waters also keep you toasty warm while in the boat; you’ll be able to adjust the
layering you need once you get a feel for how your body reacts to the cold outside and the warming
survival suit shell. I can put on my rain suit when these layers aren’t warm enough. A thick, soft
fuzzy pull on cap with earflaps rounds out my fashionable cold-weather attire.
III. Lounge Wear
Throughout Norway, the custom is to leave outdoor shoes at the front door. Bring a pair of indoor
shoes or slippers, as well as a pair of light walking shoes for around town (and airplane travel).
You’ll want comfy clothes for the evenings (sweatpants, t-shirts) and your favorite sleeping outfit
for the dormitory sleeping areas. The dorm rooms have curtains, but since the Sun is up 24/7, you
may want to bring along an eye mask (sorta like the Lone Ranger wears but without the eye holes).
IV. Other Equipment
Backpack. You’ll need a good quality, large daypack, with at least
2,000 cubic inches volume (3,000 cu in. would be better). You’ll
always be carrying extra clothing, raingear, bottles of water, lunches
and snacks, as well as community gear. A frameless or soft internal
frame pack works better than an external frame pack.
Dry sack.
For daily use while working in the boat you may like to have your
personal gear in a waterproof bag (available at most good sporting
goods stores) to help keep things dry. Space on the boats will be tights,
so don’t get extra-large bags, just the size for a day outing.
Sunglasses. For when it gets sunny, you’ll DEFINITELY want eye
protection. Besides, you may need to look cool.
Prescription glasses and contact lenses. If you rely on these, bring along an extra pair and/or
extra contacts (plus any cleaning supplies you use). You will not be able to get replacements if they
get broken or lost!
Hiking/trekking poles. (optional) Hiking poles are nice for those with old or damaged knees - also
helpful for glacier travel.
Camera Gear. It’s up to you, but we recommend bringing a small digital camera! Digital cameras
work great because you can document fieldwork and annotate your photos as you go. Get at least
two sets of rechargeable batteries and bring your charger (we’ll have power adapters). Bring a
water proof bag or case for your camera (Ziploc bags work well).
GPS Unit. Not required (we’ll have several), but if you have a small one, it can be useful for
documenting locations of your personal pictures and individual fieldwork.
Knife/pocket tool. A Swiss Army knife or some variant of a Leatherman tool is very useful.
You’ll be using this for everything from skinning polar bears to cutting ropes, but most often you’ll
use it to cut cheese and spread caviar. For air travel, be sure to pack your knives in your checked
luggage, not with your carry-on bags!
Personal First Aid. For when you cut yourself with your knife/pocket tool. Should include
athletic tape, moleskin, an elastic wrapping bandage (Ace type bandage), spare bootlaces, needle
and thread, and other repair items). Also bring sunscreen for those sunny days when the rays are
burning you from above and from below as they are reflected off the water while in the boat.
Hand lens. Optional, but every geologist should always have one around their neck.
Compass. Optional. Almost useless so close to the North Pole, but you should never leave home
without one.
Laptop computer. Strongly recommended if you have one! Your own laptop will be very useful
for preparing reports and presentations, downloading digital cameras, and playing Tetris. Don’t
forget the battery charger! A USB memory stick is also very helpful for transferring files. Bring it
in a well-padded travel case.
IV. Other things.
Medications. If you take prescription drugs, be sure to bring ALL you need in their original
containers AND a copy of your doctor’s signed prescription (for customs inspections). Your
favorite over the counter medicines may not be available on Svalbard, so bring any necessary
aspirin, vitamins, etc along (keep them in their original containers!).
Thermos.
It sure is nice to share some warm coffee or tea with your comrades during the day. If you bring a
thermos you’ll be well-liked. And the more people who bring thermoses, the less they will have to
share. Julie likes hazelnut flavored coffee by the way.
Power Adapters. Norway and Svalbard use 220 volt 50 Hz
electrical power with differently shaped plugs. Many of our
computer and camera battery chargers will work fine on this power,
but you need to use a plug adapter. We’ll also have a couple power
converters for our things that require 110v power. If you have your
own electrical appliances (shavers, curling irons), you’ll want to
bring your own small power adapter. These are widely available at
travel stores and Radio Shack.
Cash. You can get cash at ATMs at the airports, in Longyearbyen and in Ny Alesund. Major credit
cards work at most stores and restaurants. Norway uses the Norwegian Kroner (nok or kr.), which
currently exchanges at 6.2 kr per US $. Check the web before you travel because exchanges rates
can fluctuate a great deal.
Calling home. You can buy international calling cards everywhere in Norway for calling back to
the States. Public telephones are available in Longyearbyen and Ny Alesund. There will be a
phone number people can use to contact you in an emergency, we’ll get these to you later.
If you have any questions about the gear you need, don’t hesitate to contact the trip leaders!