Before we dive into how I am preparing for my arctic adventure I think I need catch the new folks around here up what is going on. I have written about my plans for the arctic adventure and how it came to be in a previous blog post.
But here is the short version: In December 2024 a person my husband worked with reached out to share his new arctic expedition offer. He is doing it every year. In 2024 I wanted to know more details. In January 2025 I had a call with the expedition leader to inquire about the tour and the fitness level. I had to admit I was not in shape to attend the tour and enjoy it. I probably would have survived – barely – but what is the point. So I told him I will be on board in 2026 and went to work.
And that is where we are. I have officially booked the tour in September – it starts March 8th, 2026. I chose the Northern Lights Tour that is a bit shorter (and cheaper) because we will be sleeping in tents and not cabins. There were two reasons for that: a) I want to have a very remote and isolated experience and in the cabins we would encounter other groups. b) I had a time conflict for the other dates – I would have sacrificed it for the tour but this way its better.
I already made the first down payment. Received the shopping list. And since time is running away and I need to get my ducks in the row I figured I share my to-do list with you. And what my thoughts for each of the items are so far. Feel free to chime in as I am clearly a novice polar adventurer.
All our equipment and food will be carried by polka sledges. Each weighting 25kg.
Travel & Insurance Preparations
- I need to book the flights. Berlin, Germany – Kiruna, Sweden
For that I will consult Kyria’s Getting The Most Out of Google Flights blogpost. Hopefully I can save a few bugs. Right now it would be cheapest to fly in Friday but tour starts on Sunday. So I could get a hotel in Kiruna and spend a day there. Or I could fly to Stockholm on Saturday, spend a night in the airport hotel and fly to Kiruna the next morning. I am leaning towards Friday this way I am having some buffer in case something is delayed even though hotels are more expensive.
As for the return I am chill as I will schedule myself a few days to have the experience sink in and not get right back into the daily grind. - I need to get a travel cancellation insurance.
I have been provided by the expedition leader with an option. I could look into other insurance companies and maybe save some money or just book that one and be done with it. It’s October and I have done neither. I have also never had such an insurance so I have no clue. But I need it here because this is not a cheap thing and obviously can’t go even with a cold. - I will also need to arrange for additional health insurance that includes rescue coverage in remote locations.
My current global health insurance doesn’t cover it. The coverage only starts when I fall inside the hospital but not the getting there. Fortunately there is a very cool option for around 120€ that includes it and also support the European Alpine upkeep.
This is a to-do for January as it will be a yearlong membership and this way I get the most out of it I 2026.
This will be the tent we are sleeping in. It can hold up to seven people. If we are a group of nine we will have two tents,
Shopping & Equipment Preparations
The following are recommendations for traveling to Kiruna and to being at base camp.
- ✔️ One warm pullover for traveling
→ I am pretty sure I will have something in my wardrobe that will work here. I am thinking either my Norwegian Pullover my mom made or the blue one with little polka dots. - ✔️ Normal winter jacket
→ luckily my very warm winter jacket I rarely use is fitting again. - ✔️ Normal city winter shoes (ok for plane but also for the first steps in the arctic)
→ I mentioned to the guide I was planning on wearing my hiking boots and he said they would work fine. I need to check if the grip on snow is really good because I remember slipping last winter. - ✔️ One lite gloves (if needed for the airport runway)
→ I have red wool ones and somewhere I should have black ones. So I think I am set. - ✔️ Underwear, socks shirts for travel days
→ I am set here. At least I dont expect to need to buy anything for the time in the plane.
The following items I will need to bring for the arctic adventure. Further needed equipment and clothing is provided by the tour guides.
- Minimum of one pair of warm, thick Merino Socks (minimum 50% merino)
→ I am thinking I will take two pairs?!
I could ask my aunt to knit some for me as a Christmas present.
Also store bought ones are good Christmas presents this year. - Minimum of one pair of light Merino Socks (minimum 50 % merino)
→ I am thinking two pairs will be enough and I think one is included in the set (see below)
To-Do: check with guide if socks are included in the set.
Otherwise this is a good Christmas presents this year. I like these ones in black, pink or turquoise. - One hat, warm fleece hat or merino
→ I own a hat we bought during our Lapland honeymoon and needed for sleeping in the ice hotel.
To-Do: I will check with the guide if that one is sufficient. It is not fleece or wool but it might be fine. Otherwise here are a few options: hat 1, hat 2, hat 3, hat 4 – my favorite? - One complete set of lite merino long sleeve and leggings, socks
→ I will order this from the guide. He has a special deal with the supplier of the Swedish army. It will be khaki colored but a pretty good deal for around 120€.
To-Do: check if socks are included - ✔️ One light merino pullover
→ I already bought a 300 g turtleneck during summer sale (199€for 89€). It is not light but for colder days. I think it’s ok.
Didn’t order it in that store though. - One merino long johns (Ski underwear leggings)
→ I am asking for black ones for Christmas from icebreaker. I have tried them on already. - Two or three merino underwear pants + one sports bra or bralette
→ I am thinking the icebreaker ones are looking pretty good. option 1, but Kyria mentioned smartwool and they have this set option, and these panties. And they are apparently for colder climate than the icebreaker ones. Does anyone has experience here? - One normal fleece pullover (example teddy fleece)
→ I already own a purple hoody with fleece insulation I bought during my honeymoon. It’s a bit tight currently but I am hoping it will fit by the time the adventure takes place.
To-Do: I will have to check with guide though. - One good sunglasses minimum category 3, better 4
→ This will be a Christmas present I ask for. Unfortunately they are mostly ugly. I kinda like this one (very expensive, its the sale price as its being discontinued), this one is ok looking, this would also work. - Set of your hygienic bathroom stuff (toothbrush, 50 ml tooth paste, cream)
→ ✔️ I already have tooth paste pills for travel which I will use.
→ ✔️I will use my regular toothbrush.
→ I will definitiv need a small tube of cold cream. Since I am sensitive I need to do some research which will work. Maybe I can get some samples from the pharmacy. - Small tube (30-50 ml) of suncream 50+ for winter conditions.
→ This will be a Christmas present I ask for. - Personal snacks you would like to eat during the adventure.
→ My plan is to take some beef jerky and some electrolytes and some instant savory soup electrolytes.
To-Do: Ask my mom where she bought the soup ones as she had them in my advent calendar a few years back.
The final items are for personal use during travel and the adventure.
- Phone & camera
To Buy: I need a new phone by the start of the trip. My phone camera lens is broken.
To Ponder: Will I take my Nikon camera? I first need to check in what kind of conditions it’s still operable. If it’s not I don’t need to take it. Maybe my phone will be enough? - Power bank incl. charging cable/plugs (good and enough power is a 27.000 mAh power bank for around 7 days (when only used for taking pictures, music). You can take a second if needed. (The IATA allows 27000 always, with 30000 or more you can get in troubles at airport security)
→ I will need to find a solution that will also charge my Apple Watch. This would be a good thing to source before the Black Friday sales. It could also be a Christmas present. - Medicine
→ I will need to pack a supply of magnesium. We will all get a daily ratio by the guide but I will take some too.
→ I will need to have enough migraine medicine with me in case I get a 5 day long attack. I will probably sent some with the guide to in case I get them taken away at the airport. Better save than sorry here.
To Ponder: should I also have some cold medicine in case I catch something?
To-Do: I will need to get an official paper by my neurologist that I can carry the medicine with me. For that I need to snatch an appointment before going on the trip – which will be tough. - ✔️ Shower gel, soap, shampoo
→ I am having this 18-in-1 tincture by Dr. Bronner which will come in handy.
Well, so much for the preparing for the Arctic Adventure. Working through the list and thinking about each item already helped me a lot. This took me all afternoon to write and research and link. But I have simultaneously set up gift lists for my family so hopefully a few of these things will be under the Christmas tree.
What’s one item you are surprised to fin here? Would you fly in early and spend a day in Kiruna or to a sleepover at Stockholm airport? What extra food would you take? Any advice for cold climate you can share?
All images of this post are copyrighted by Mike Fuchs and Fox Challenges. Thank you for letting me use them.
