I wrote a lot about what I needed to organize and buy for my arctic trip. But what did I end up packing? Well, I figured to kick off the series about my arctic adventure the packing list would be a good first post.
My plan was to travel just with my carry n backpack. This was recommended by the guide as this made sure nothing gets lost on the way. Also we didn’t really needed much to bring.
I also had the chance to drop of a bag the guide would drive up. I made use of that. Here is what was in this bag:
These are the items in the bag (left to right): sports bra and two slips, 1 light merino sock, 2 heavy merino socks, one teddy fleece sweater, one chocolate, two bags of beef jerky, power bank 25.000AmH (grey bag), wash cloth and inside suncream, electrolytes, chapstick, soap/shampoo, vitamin D, cough/throat medicine, 400mg Ibuprofen, some Aspirin migraine meds.
When I met the guide to drop of the bag I added one set of 360 merino wool base layer he organized for me.
My plan was that most of the things here will be eaten or used and I will be able to fit the remaining items into my backpack on the way home.
And here is what ended up in my bag back (top to bottom left to right): heavy merino sweater, black lighter merino sweater and pants, towel, blue bra and slip, cosmetics (wet wipes, sanitizer, cold cream, tooth brush, tooth brush pills, deodorant, tampons, nail clipper, ear plugs, mascara) another slip, two light merino socks, medicine (magnesium, different migraine meds, assortment of cold medicine), sleep wear, headband, hat, heave socks, sunglasses with another chap stick in case, gloves.
I wore the blue underwear on my travel day same as with one pair of light socks. The long-sleeve I wore was my sleep wear. The white fleece turtleneck ended up in the bag back, It was just too warm in Berlin.
And then I packed the electronics and entertainment stuff.
Top to bottom/left to right: Kindle, passport with boarding pass, assortment of tea bags ( I never travel without), charger for phone in bag, notebook with three pens, one watercolor brush pen, cable earphones (to not loose in arctic – recommended by guide), AirPods because better quality and noise canceling, tissues, wallet, power bank that also charges my Apple Watch and AirPods.
I wore a pink soft shell jacket on my travel day and in base camp. You can see it in the top image.
And this is all I had with me during my arctic trip. Anything else was provided by the guide.
Spoiler alert: I managed to bring everything home in just the bag back.
Are you surprised by the items I packed? Which one would you have left at home? Which one is missing? How do you rate my packing skills?
9 comments
Hi Tobia – An interesting post! I have heard about packing for the arctic so it is interesting to see what you brought. My husband and I are minimal packers when we travel, we usually share a carry-on bag for a month-long visit overseas, and we have done a lot of hiking so know about saving weight, etc, but this really took some thought! I am curious, what are the slips that you brought, if you don’t mind? I think of slips as being worn under dresses? I can’t think of anything that you missed, it looks like you were well-prepared. Also, love your photo at the top – the pop of pink with all the gray, so cute! I am looking forward to hearing more about your trip!
Oh wow one carry on for two people for a month is next level. Amazing.
The slips are normal underwear – but 100 merino wool. The black and nude ones are from icebreaker the blue set is from Smartwool.
I felt very adventurous in the photo above. Funny though the coat is blue but it doesn’t really show in the photo,
Wow, the slips must be so comfy! And they add warmth? Better than cotton I am sure. I am going to look into this. Yes, we spend some time figuring out exactly what we need, and we like puzzles so that helps! Plus so much easier getting through airports!
It’s definitely easier if you can just walk around with a backpack.
The slips are indeed great and due to material don’t take on smells as easily. Very happy with the purchase. I did buy the during sales though.
It looks like you got it Jones in pretty good. How many total days was the expedition? And hopefully you will opine on how some of your new clothing worked out for you, or maybe what you didn’t use etc! I love seeing people’s packing lists!
I was gone for 10 days the expedition itself was 7 days but we had to cut it short for one day due to weather.
Well I hadn’t planned on writing about what worked and what not but maybe I’ll make it another post. Ideas. But as spoiler: it was so warm I didn’t need some of the stuff.
I would rate your packing skills as 100% awesome! You have all the important basics, as well as a few items of comfort. I’m curious about what you did with the water brush.
Unfortunately I ended up not using it at all. There was no time for much relaxation. My plan was to fill with coffee and do drawings of the landscape. We also had Aquarell sets with us which we never got to use.
Well, that’s too bad. It would have been lovely to paint with the coffee you were drinking on the trip.