WHAT TO WEAR IN ANTARCTICA

    Antarctica is only tourist accessible by boat but Antarctica XXI has come up with a new way to travel and explore this Continent by something called a "Fly Cruise". As the name obviously entails, you fly into Antarctica then do the cruise one way. There are 2 ways to do it. You can either board the boat from Ushuaia, Argentina, cruise the Beagle Channel and Drake Passage, with zodiac landings as per itinerary then fly out of Bellinghausen station to Punta Arenas, Chile. This can also be done vice versa. As to whether one is better than the other that would depend on how you see it. As with any expedition, nothing is cut and dry especially in Antarctica, the harshest environment on the Planet and cruising the Southern Ocean, considered as one of the world's deepest, coldest and stormiest ocean. Sailing the Drake Passage for example is a challenge in itself since it is not uncommon for storms to happen here, some reasons being there are no land masses and also due to the Antarctic convergence. Which makes a one way Cruise a way better choice in my opinion. Antarctica is 620 miles from South America which takes at least 2 days to cross by boat, again, weather dependent. In our case, we had to take refuge in Puerto Williams Naval Base to hide from a storm at the Drake Passage and missed another zodiac landing due to safety reasons. Some boats chose to brave the Drake in terrible weather conditions and we got word later on that the crew regretted that decision describing it as "all hell broke loose". Antarctica can also be accessed by boat from New Zealand which is some 1370 miles away adding 2 days to the cruise.

     So what to wear while in Antarctica???


Like every expedition I've participated in (all of which were trekking/ mountain hiking) , the company would provide you with something called a "Gear list". And again, weather and/or terrain dependent, the list changes with any expedition. In Antarctica however, terrain is only an issue during zodiac landings meaning, your feet get some break from wearing those boots that you can't wait to take off. Antarctica XXI provided us with a gear list as well. But my gear list is based on my personal needs as follows:

HEAD

1. HAT : a beanie hat, those kinds that cover your ears would be a bonus. Sun hat can also be helpful as the sun can be very harsh even though it's a cold environment. I did experience some sun burn on my face even with sunscreen. Sun reflected off the snow can do some damage.

2. EYEGLASSES: ski goggles are not needed but can be used if preferred. I used Suncloud polarized glasses. A Julbo glacier glasses would also be a good choice.

3. BALAKLAVA/ EAR MUFFS: I never had to use one because we were lucky to have 32F weather but with windchill factor, this can be helpful. I packed one just in case.

BODY

1. BASELAYER: I've used Patagonia's capilene baselayers in the past which has great moisture wicking properties but have recently favored the merino wool type fabric. Merino wool's awesome properties include moisture wicking, temperature regulation (cools you off when it's hot, warms you up when it's cold) & antimicrobial properties so you can wear it for more than one day and not have to worry much about odor. There are several brands who make these, Ibex, Smartwool, Stoic, Icebreaker. I've used all except Ibex.

2. INSULATOR: either a soft shell, fleece, down jacket or fleece and down together or fleece and soft
shell together or soft shell and down together. Basically, whatever makes you comfortable. In my case, I was wearing Mammut's 750 fill down jacket on top of my baselayer and had a fleece jacket in my pack just in case.

3. OUTERSHELL/LAYER: this has to be windproof and waterproof. Some wore their ski jackets but I prefer the light packable ones made by Arcteryx. I have the Alpha SL Arcteryx which is highly packable and lightweight at 7 ounces. It's made of Goretex and is "guaranteed waterproof/windproof". I'm making a special mention about it's waterproofing and wind proofing  properties because waterproofing has different categories. Some would say 20,000mm waterproof
rating or DWR which means Durable Water Repellent. Basically, if not sure which to choose, anything that says 3D Goretex is one of the best choices. Make sure it's also breathable i.e. "pit zips".
Lots of brands make these kinds of jackets. Arcteryx is on the more expensive side but my jacket has withstood expeditions like Everest Basecamp and Patagonia and numerous mountain hikes in Southern California such as 6 peaks and Mt. Whitney. And it pays for itself with lifetime warranty.


LOWER BODY

1. BASELAYER: same is true with lower body. A capilene or merino wool baselayer is recommended. I used Stoic merino wool baselayer.
2.INSULATOR: this is a personal preference. Some wore baselayer and ski pants which have built in insulation. I carried fleece pants just in case.

3. OUTERSHELL: some used ski pants. I used REI's Mirula mountaineering pants. Highly packable and lightweight. I have used the same pants during a mountaineering school and summit at Mt. Washington in New Hampshire as well as Patagonia.

FEET

1. BOOTS: Antarctica XXI provided us with Bogs waterproof boots which we returned later. Prior to expedition Antarctica XXI asked for my boot size.

2. SOCKS: most of my hiking socks are merino wool for the reasons I mentioned above but ski socks are good choices for this trip. But in my case, I used REI's mountaineering socks for more warmth and cushion.

ACCESSORIES

1. GLOVES : fleece gloves are appropriate. In my case, I used microfiber inner gloves that came with my Burton ski gloves. Ski gloves or in my case, Burton gloves are good to carry just in case the windchill factor drops . These outergloves have to be waterproof and windproof. The Burton gloves I used have pockets on the outside for hand warmers if needed.

If you noticed, I've mentioned merino wool, moisture wicking , packable, lightweight, waterproof, windproof and breathable more than once. These are my preferred gear list in every expedition I have participated in and it also works for Antarctica.

Note: We were required to wear a lifejacket that appears like a tubular vest that inflates automatically when you hit the water. Required especially when riding the Zodiac.