Dangers of Antarctica and Antarctic kit list for travelers

Chilling Antarctica is full of dangers to humans that can easily be deadly. Main dangers are: the hostile fauna, extreme cold weather, the natural formations and frostbite.

Dangerous weather

Antarctica is the coldest place on our planet. By the way, here there is the coldest temperature ever recorded, which is -89.2 degrees Celsius. Sun burn can happen here too, as the ultra violet light is reflected by the snow and ice.

Frost bite

Frost bite is the first that you will get in extreme cold. So, you have to be ready for this temperature before you step outside. Frost bite can be explained simply: your body stops pumping blood to other parts of the body. The body tries to conserve warmth, which means no oxygen is reaching the parts of your body. Frost bite can be escaped by wearing appropriate clothing and not staying outside for too long or keeping moving for save the warm.

Dangerous Fauna

One of the most dangerous representatives of the fauna is leopard seal, it is one of the biggest animal dangers to humans. He grows up to 2.5 to 3.2 meters long and hunts on penguins.

Crevasses

Crevasses are also a danger to humans, they can be less than a step wide to hundreds of meters across. Bridged crevasse is the most dangerous type of crevasse. Crevasses are covered by last year’s snow fall which renders them invisible. One of the ways to avoid glaciers is to have a dog team.

Dangerous Sea

Between Hobart and Antarctica lie the world’s stormiest waters and very strong winds. Winds are chilling and combining with frosty water we got extremely hard conditions. We should not forget about seasickness affects of a boat.

 

Antarctic Kit List

List of Equipment for Antarctic Mountains

 

Clothing – Inner Layers

Set base layer top of light or midweight and bottoms

Set of expedition weight or Powerstretch layer top and bottoms

Underwear made of polyester or polypropylene

 

Clothing – Outer Layers

Quality down jacket for expedition with large-sized fixed hood

Synthetic or down pants

Windproof softshell jacket with hood

Clothing for mid or second layer

Stretch softshell pants

Windcoat

Insulating jacket

 

Footwear

Soft boots usually made of sealskin for use around cam.

Pair of expedition double boots with built-in gaiter.

Boots for ski and mountains

Warm socks made of wool

Socks made of cotton or synthetic. Thinner than those made of wool.

A pair or two of synthetic tent booties

 

Head and Hands

Ski hat usually made of wool

Scarf or something for your neck.

Synthetic polymer face mask that covers all your skin

Insulated leather work gloves

Thin polyester gloves

Thick fleece gloves

Very warm, breathable or synthetic over-mitts

100% UV protective sunglasses, one with cord and side flaps. With no metal frames.

Good quality, tinted, 100% UV protective, ski goggles.

 

Sleeping

Sleeping bag (rated to -40°C).

Full length Thermarest

Full length closed cell foam sleeping mat

 

Emergency Equipment

Lightweight group shelter

Small personal first aid kit with foot and handcare items (e.g. zinc oxide tape, moleskin, foot powder, bandaids, handcream, earplugs).

Small repair kit e.g. multi-tool, duck tape, webbing strap, wire, rivets, spare crampon strap, sewing equipment.

 

So, as you see, this place is not for homeboy and you have to be good prepared for surviving. If you plan to travel to Antarctica, we Recommend you to print this list for not forget. It would be so peaty to forget something important, because Arctic don’t forgive mistakes.