Advice for Overwinterers.

 

Packing for

Any Mission.

Pack the following items to make your adventure a memorable one. (Remember most of these are optional extra for your own comfort.)

What to Pack

SEA-SICKNESS PILLS

Remember about the return voyage. Avomine and Stugaron are two familiar ones. Ginger also seems to be effective in some cases.

SHIP CLOTHING

Closed shoes, trousers/jeans and a collared shirt/golf shirt to dress neatly for dinner (it’s required otherwise they won’t serve you). Enjoy these small, traditional facets of the expedition.

Prescription medication

Are you on chronic medication? Please do remember to pack these, as the dispensaries (at the station or on the ship) will not be able to supply you.

MONEY FOR THE SHIP
Bring money for duty-free liquor, snacks and other things at the tuck shop. Remember to leave some money for the trip home.
Good polarised sunglasses

Take at least 1 pair, or 2 pairs if going to SANAE. BondiBlu is a good sponsor to pursue. Their products are great and have been used extensively.

Buff or something similar

These can keep your head, ears, neck warm and also keep the hair out of your face.

Alcohol, cold drinks (sodas) and smokes

If you run out during the year, no extra supplies can be delivered. So order more than enough. Order a variety of beverages as you start to crave different tastes.

Hobbies

Take enough recreational material.

Cameras

Take a good camera if you’re into photography. Batteries do not last in the cold. Speak to the current team and get advice on photographic equipment before spending 3 months’ salary.

Communication

You get an amount of telephone calls per month sponsored by DEFF. Find out what the communication’s policy is and comply. WhatsApp in the stations can work on the Wi-Fi network.

Team merchandise

Design a team logo and get it printed on hoodies or shirts, or buffs, or beanies, of sweater pants, etc. (Start with this ASAP.)

Special cooking ingredients

Cooking is a big thing. Each team member will get his/her turn to cook. If you have a special recipe, make sure the ingredients are available or take your own.

Packing

Clean and spray (Doom) all bags and trammels before you start packing, to make sure no biological material reaches the island. Seal the edges of the crates with insulation or duct tape, this keeps out any moisture and insects while they’re standing around.

Crates/Luggage

Best way to pack is: put your clothes in the kit-bags (you are supplied with) and place the rest of your stuff in plastic crates. Lock each trammel, try and have the same key for all the trammels. The ideal crate size is 90cm(L) x 40cm(W) x 40cm(H).

PARTIES

Pretty, shiny, funny clothes (costumes) and décor

It is tradition to have a big party with each team member’s birthday. It is a great idea to make these themed parties, for the team to catch some spirit. Remember about Mid-winter, 40 days, 100 days, New Years, Christmas. If you want to plan a nice get together take decorations etc. There are things on the island as well (old and used many times before).

Team member birthdays

There is a workshop where one can make use of various tools and power tools to make e.g. birthday presents for fellow islanders. If you are not a handy person, bring a small gift along for each team member.

TAKE NOTE

It is always a good thing to contact the team on the station; they will gladly answer any questions and give valuable tips. There is also the opportunity to buy or take over some of their equipment.

If you are an old expedition member and have some valuable tips, please contact us

Packing for

SANAE Missions.

What to Pack

ENOUGH CLEAN CLOTHES

Due to capacity constraints of the water treatment plant and the size of the standard SANAE take-over you will probably be lucky to get a chance to wash clothes once a week.

WET WIPES, ROLE-ON
During take-over you will probably shower once every 2 days.
GOOD DURABLE POLAR QUALITY GLOVES

Take 2 pairs. Check what you get issued with and plan accordingly. You will be doing smelly’s and all other work with these in winter and they will take a beating. Mild frost bite is also a reality.

CRAMPONS, IF POSSIBLE

There are crampons at the station, mostly in bad condition. I took a new pair, truly needed those only 3 times and where extremely glad I took them. There are places you will not be able to go without crampons… and these are some of the most beautiful places.

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

Static is a techno-killer down-under. Keep this in mind when you pack expensive electronic equipment.

HUMIDIFIER

Antarctica is a very, very dry place, if you’re wondering…wood generally does not do very well down there. Guitars deform, pencils bend.

PRETTY, SHINY CLOTHES

Even if you’re a hard-core Goth and think clinical depression is the happiest state of mind, you will eventually pine for colour in the great white.

Packing for

Marion Island Missions.

What to Pack

Good waterproof gloves

Take 2 pairs. Check what you get issued with and plan accordingly.

Packing

Once on the island, the crates will not be reached immediately so pack your fieldwork gear in your ship bag.

Toiletries

Own towel, all toiletries, Lip-ice, etc.

Station clothes and slippers

It is very nice to have comfy clothes to wear in the station (normal clothes). Sheep wool slippers are ideal for wearing in the station. Also remember there is a sauna and jacuzzi.

Thermals

No need to buy extra thermals as you get issued with enough First Ascent tops and bottoms. (When fitting these make sure you do not take them too small.)

Fleece beanie

You get issued with a woollen balaclava, but not really ideal for the wet Marion days.

Liner gloves

Black Diamond. These are ideal for underneath thicker gloves. Also comfy to work in and dry quickly.

T-shirt

Cheap cotton shirts are ideal for over thermals, for a day in the field.

Humidifier

The station has no windows.

Laundry

There are automated washing machines and dryers, as well as 2 dry rooms; you do your own laundry. Washing powder is provided by DEA. If you want to use something special, take it with.

Meals

There is no chef; each team member will get a chance to cook for roughly a team of 20 members a few times. Usually Wednesdays and Saturdays are off nights, so team members cook for themselves on these nights (braai or cook in small groups).

Food

Basic food is supplied. Bring yourself any unusual/luxury items. There will not be any fresh produce like apples or veggies – it’s all dry foods, frozen goods or canned products.

Take-over

There will be more than 80 people during take over; therefore you will have to share a bedroom, normally with your outgoing team member.

Croc/croc-replicas

For sleeping over in the huts, crocks are the best shoes, as you can wear socks with them. Flip flops are also an option.

Headlamp

The camping type, remember to bring extra batteries.

BEDDING

You are issued with fitted sheets and pillow cases for the station, but if you like to sleep comfy, pack your own duvet (with cover) and sheets. Also a good pillow, if you like.

Backpack

Bring a comfortable quality backpack. You’ve not hiked until you’ve hiked on this beautiful island, it’s difficult, and you’ll appreciate a good pack.

Water bottles

Pack for water or juice when walking. A bladder for water (inside your backpack) is also a ‘very nice to have’.

Hard Drive

Remember to back up all your memories as the year goes on.

Health

Make sure your teeth is in good condition. There is limited dental care available from a medic who has done a one-week crash course in only dental emergencies.

Medical backup is quite good, wide range of antibiotics etc. Just note, the medic is not trained to remove an appendix, you will be treated with antibiotics, or casevaced back to the RSA. (Help will only arrive within 4-5 days.)

Packing for

Gough Island
Missions.

What to Pack

Good waterproof gloves

Take 2 pairs. Check what you get issued with and plan accordingly.

Station clothes and slippers

It is very nice to have comfy clothes to wear in the station (normal clothes). Sheep wool slippers are ideal for wearing in the station. Also remember there is a sauna and jacuzzi.

Thermals

No need to buy extra thermals as you get issued with enough First Ascent tops and bottoms. (When fitting these make sure you do not take them too small.)

Laundry

There are automated washing machines and dryers, as well as 2 dry rooms; you do your own laundry. Washing powder is provided by DEA. If you want to use something special, take it with.

Meals

There is no chef; each team member will get a chance to cook for roughly a team of 20 members a few times. Usually Wednesdays and Saturdays are off nights, so team members cook for themselves on these nights (braai or cook in small groups).

Fishing

The Leader on Tristan annually, and in good spirit, grants the overwintering team a fishing licence. Use it! It’s fresh fish, which is the only fresh food you will see for a year. Bring spoons, plenty of them. You can catch snoek from the side on hand line. Speak to your local fishing guru and bring enough tackle, it’s great fun on a nice day and it’s fresh meat.

Hiking

Find out from current team what camping gear is available in the camp store. You need a very good tent, 4 season. Gusts on Gough can rip tents to shreds. Most of the ground surface is soft, buy extra-long and secure tent pegs, the 90+ degree bent peg works well.

Backpack

Bring a comfortable quality backpack. You’ve not hiked until you’ve hiked on this beautiful island, it’s difficult, and you’ll appreciate a good pack.

Sleeping bag

Take one that is nice and warm, but can fold up small enough to take little space in your backpack.

Health

Make sure your teeth is in good condition. There is limited dental care available from a medic who has done a one-week crash course in only dental emergencies.

Medical backup is quite good, wide range of antibiotics etc. Just note, the medic is not trained to remove an appendix, you will be treated with antibiotics, or casevaced back to the RSA. (Help will only arrive within 4-5 days.)

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