Gear for Antarctica Expedition | Active Adventure People

Gear Up: This Expedition’s Checklist is Next-Level!

Over a year ago, I signed up for a sailing expedition to Antarctica aboard the Icebird. Visiting Antarctica has been on my bucket list for years—ever since a friend returned from kayaking there with the most amazing stories. So, when a rare opportunity came up to join a renowned kayaker for an unforgettable adventure on a sailboat, I couldn’t pass it up. Instead of the usual 200 or so people on an Antarctic cruise, our group will be just nine, including a three-person crew. After some back-and-forth, I realized this kind of trip wasn’t going to get any easier—or cheaper—if I waited. Fast forward fifteen months, and here we are, packing for the adventure of a lifetime.

No, I’ve never sailed. And yes, I’m expected to participate in every part of life aboard the sailboat—sailing, cooking, and whatever else needs doing. Oh, and it’s also a kayaking expedition! The plan is to kayak daily (or almost daily) in Antarctica, with a few nights spent on land—or more accurately, on ice. But before we get there, we have to face the infamous Drake Passage, known as the roughest stretch of water in the world.

I’ve been on several kayaking and camping trips to cold spots in the northern hemisphere, so I already have a fair amount of gear. Still, the gear list for this trip required some serious shopping and research. We’ve been at it for a couple of months now, and it’s been equal parts entertaining and nerve-wracking.