In preparing for my trip to Antarctica, I’ve asked previous travelers to share their best advice for my adventure. I’ve been looking for stuff outside the tour material — which is all good, mind you, but not too terribly insightful. I want to know what travelers wish they had, or would do differently, or just accidentally discovered and then, wow, saw something magical. I’ve been compiling these tips — I’ll add more as they come in, and I’ll share mine for future travelers via the TravelWild site after I get back. (I’m still acting, despite the “incident“, as though my trip will proceed as scheduled.)
- Change your socks frequently. Oh, and pack more of them. You’re going to need more socks. — SK South, former South Pole, Palmer Station, and McMurdo resident.
- Get a dry bag for your camera for on the zodiac. Also, make sure you unpack your photo gear every evening so it dries out. — Dan and Audrey, Uncornered Market
- When you’re on land, surrounded by penguins, just sit down. The chicks are hungry and super curious. Sit right down in the penguin poop and everything, and just wait. — Andrew Evans, National Geographic Traveler
- Pack Ziplock bags and elastic bands. I put my camera in the bag, cut a hole in the one end for the lens to go through, elastic banded the bag at the end of the lens, and sealed it all…. it was amazing. You want this technique for cruising in the zodiac. A lot of people were scared to have their cameras out in that situation, but that’s where I got some of my best shots. — Brendan van Son, Brendan’s Adventures
- Go to the bridge and find out what time the sun comes up. Set your alarm and go on deck to watch the sun rise. Likely as not you’ll be all alone, and it will be so much more special for that. — Dennis Mense, Expedition Leader, TravelWild
- Pack a big plastic garbage bag. The ship should have rinsing stations, but the penguin poop is pretty smelly, and you’ll want to wrap up your gear so it doesn’t totally stink up your bag when you pack it for the return trip. — Mary Alice Pomputius, Dog Jaunt
Image: Chinstrap penguin and chicks via FreezeFrame. Photographer: Brian Birley Roberts, 1935
Our trip was unusually sunny and perfect, so this may not be everyone’s need, but bring your darkest sunglasses. If the sides wrap towards your head, so much the better. Wearing a billed cap, too, under your wooly hat really helps. Walter came as near as dammit to going snowblind on one of our shore excursions.
I wear prescription specs, but I’m tossing in a ball cap. Done.
You’ll need a polarized filter for photographing the ice/snow.
I prefer polar fleece socks to wool, which requires more of your own body heat to warm up.
Salt water can be hell on your gear. Make sure you rinse anything exposed in ample fresh water once you’re back on board. Pay particular attention to seams, which deterroriate rapidly.
Packing-wise, I’m a big fan of earplugs. Overstimulation from people & adventure, I wear them even among others, which helps allieviate the din. Most earplugs don’t block out all the sound, which allows you to still follow conversations, etc.
I NEVER travel without earplugs, but I appreciate the reminder. And off I went to Amazon to order a polarizer, which I’ve been meaning to do — it’s now on the way. Woot.
I’m amazed by the number of environments in which sturdy plastic bags of various shapes and sizes come in constantly handy. Dustproofing baggage, I knew about.
But waterproofing cameras? That’s a new one.