POLAR TRAINING COURSE KIT LIST

It is essential that you have suitable clothing and equipment for this challenging course. Bring all the items on the list or their equal equivalent (other than those listed as optional). If in doubt, please contact us for further advice.

OUTER CLOTHING Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description needed • Your should be made from a Norrøna windproof, breathable (but not necessarily Trollveggen Pro waterproof) fabric with generous hood and or pockets. Goretex or EVent fabrics are good. Svalbard Expedition Jacket • It should be a bit oversized, not close fitting, to allow air movement between https://www.norrona.com/en- your layers. Tight anything is always wrong. GB/ • It should be long and should come right down over your bottom. Klattermusen • It should have long sleeves that come half Rimfaxe 2.0 Jacket way down over your hands when you elbow is bent up like for skiing. www.klattermusen.com/en It should have fully opening vents under Windproof outer/shell jacket • 1 the arms, you will more often be too warm

than too cold. Venting is vital. • It should have a couple of accessible pockets. • It should have a fully incorporated hood,that when fully closed covers the bottom half of your face. it should have pplenty of forward fabric so that you are almost looking out through a short tunnel when it is closed.

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed Attach to Windproof outer/shell jacket. Wolverine fur ruffs available Should be a northern mammal in it’s winter from Apocalypse Design coat. Wolverine, wolf, coyote or fox are best. Fur ruff http://www.akgear.com/ 1

Men tend to prefer salopettes Norrøna Women tend to prefer pants Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Bibs • Must have full length side zips for venting. Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Pants • Same fabric criteria as the jacket. • If you bring salopettes you must be able to pee and poop without removing upper clothing, a drop seat pant design is vital if the pants/salopettes have suspenders/braces. Breathable windproof pants OR • The thighs are an area which is vulnerable 1 salopettes to cold injury so avoid a tight fit and allow plenty of room for base layers underneath.

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed • Size to fit easily over other outer clothes. Norrøna • Does not need to be the warmest, giant Lyngen Lightweight Down 750 parka, but should be expedition quality (rated to -35°C/-31°F) https://www.norrona.com/en- • Must have a generous, secure, built-in GB/ Down Jacket 1 hood.

An essential piece of clothing. Patagonia • Sized to fit over your outer shell layer. Down Vest • Doesn’t need to be heavy expedition Down body warmer/vest weight down, although this works too, can Most brands have good 1 be lightweight down also. examples.

Another essential piece of clothing, yes, for Skhoop men also! Short Down Skirt • Must come down to your knees. • Must have full side zips.

1 Down Skirt

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LAYERS Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed • 2 sets of high-quality (not Aclima, Brynje or Icebreaker synthetic) thermal base layers brands. • One set is recommended to be the wool design. Should have long-sleeves with 2 Base Layer Tops • • Should not have zips. • One should have an incorporated balaclava style hood (Aclima does a great one of those).

• 2 sets of high-quality wool (not Aclima, Brynje or Icebreaker synthetic) thermal base layers brands. • One set is recommended to be the wool mesh design.

2 Base layer leggings

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed • Preferably with a hood Black Diamond • A pocket is useful for keeping Coefficient hoodie batteries warm. • Polartec, Powerstretch or Polartec Thermal Pro fabrics Expedition weight thermal base layer 1 top

• Mid-weight The North Face Warm Tight • Not baggy, close fitting • Polartech Powerstretch tights. Mountain Hardwear and Patagonia also make suitable items.

A pair of Polartech fleece stretch

1 tights.

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed • Warm, padded wool/synthetic Baffin, Thorlos, Smartwool, blend socks. • Long, to the knee, a ski sock. Work Socks • Some brands’ socks are specific 2 pairs each foot, this is usually an indication of quality. Not too small. Could go over a • liner sock. Thin wool or synthetic liner socks. Baffin, Thorlos, Smartwool, Liner socks 2 pairs

• Insulated down or synthetic Taiga camp booties for use inside the Expedition Down Booties tent, as extra insulation in your https://www.taigaworks.ca sleeping bag and for quick trips Camp Booties outside the tent. 1 pair Optional, but you will kick yourself if • A tough wearing sole. you don’t have them • Non-slip sole optional. • A long leg is preferable so you can run about in deep snow.

2 pair Vapor Barrier Socks You either love them or hate them, Rab Optional the only way to find out which one you are, is to try them. Thin plastic produce bags from the grocery store are the cheapest effective option.

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Number Item & description Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Check needed Sorel Caribous Warm boots for wearing in the snow, whatever your go-to warm outdoor boot is.

Boots 1

The snow can be deep and soft in Many great options out there. Norway, gaiters help enormously in keeping boots dry.

Gaiters 1 pair Optional, but you will kick yourself if you don’t have them

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HEADWEAR Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed Goggles are something you get what you Oakley pay for. Go for the best you can afford. • Must have UV protection. Haven’t tried the Abom and the • Must have 2 pairs in case of Airwave. breakage or to swap if one pair fogs up. • At least one pair should have dark tinted lenses to reduce eye strain in

bright light • Look for a brand that comes with a couple of different coloured lenses, to interchange in low light conditions. Not too much frame, large range of Goggles • 2 pairs vision.

Hi-tech options: • Abom have brought out a heated anti-fogging goggle. Icing up can be an issue in polar regions, so this might be an advantage. • Oakley have teamed up with Recon instruments to make the Airwave 1.5 heads-up compass display goggles.

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed • 100% UV protective dark sunglasses Oakley, Julbo • With a contoured shape or, if you want to go old school, side flaps that Sunglasses prevent light entering at the sides. 1 pair • Avoid metal frames. • Pack in a hard protective case.

Ski half mask Zan Headgear

Neoprene Face Mask 1

• Lightweight fleece or synthetic Schampa Lightweight Balaclava balaclava. • Powerstretch fabric is good. • Snug fitting, not baggy round your face. Balaclava Full face cover. 1 •

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed You should have been sent the pattern Best made with genuine Gore-Tex with your welcome pack. If not, ask for it. TM. Can be ordered This takes a few hours to make, but it’s a from various online fabric outlets. Home made Hannah fun pre-course project and will be the McKeand Cat Mask. best face protection system you ever http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics- 1 (Optional, but highly have. We’ll help you fine tune them Kits/Gore-Tex-Waterproof- recomended) when you arrive. Breathable-Fabrics?range=11,16,16

Is permanently sewn into a pair of goggles and works together with a Buff

Get one to try if you want to. Cold Avenger I find they rest uncomfortably on my nose, some people like them. Available on Amazon, REI and most Cold Avenger face mask online outdoor retailers 1 (Optional)

Get some to try if you want to. Scott I find them cold, but I have had male Available on Amazon clients with thick beards who really love them. Scott 83x “Safari” googles and protective 1 facemask (Optional)

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed Can double up to give a variety of ear, Buff face and neck protection Specifically the POLAR BUFF, which is half and half fleece

Neck Buff http://buffusa.com/shop- 2 buff/men/multifunctional-headwear- category/polar-buff-family.html

• Any classic wool hat with ear flaps, Any brand or even knit one! • Must be fleece lined.

Wool hat 1

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HANDS Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed Lightweight liner or inner gloves. Seirus Innovation 2116 Heatwave Thin polar fleece Glove Liner with Heatwave Technology

Terramar Thermasilk glove liner Liner gloves 1 Pair

Great to ski all day in: FLOSO Mens Thinsulate Winter Thermal Fleece Gloves (3M 40g) • Thick fleece • Thick fluffy Thinsulate lining Available from Amazon • Should not be tight fitting, but loose and comfortable THE GREY ONES ARE WARMER FOR SOME REASON Fleece gloves 2 Pairs

https://www.amazon.com/Thinsulate- Winter-Thermal-Fleece- Gloves/dp/B0062UAQ1K?th=1

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed It is useful to have a pair of gloves EITHER with an outer shell to wear whilst setting up camp. Hestra Falt Guide Glove with removable liner for easy drying Work Gloves gloves 1 Pair I like these leather work gloves, (I love these gloves, but they are

but a light pair of standard ski expensive) gloves work well too. Available on Amazon

OR

Kinko Pigskin Insulated Gloves with knit wrist. Cheap and brilliant. I wear them every year to work in Antarctica “ “ and live in them

https://www.amazon.com/Kinco- Lined-Grain-Pigskin- Glove/dp/B01CFWXSV8

The warmest wool mittens in the Dachstein Woolwear 4 Ply Extreme world. Warm 100% Austrian Alpine Mittens in Natural Grey

Boiled wool mittens https://www.amazon.com/Dachstein- 1 pair (Optional) Woolwear-Extreme-Austrian- Mittens/dp/B0152EHMJ0

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed Soft primaloft mitts are good to be Mountain Equipment Fitzroy Mitts worn over other gloves or mitts or even over bare hands. Worth the investment, The best mitts out there, I’m on my 5th pair. Insulated Mittens AVOID 1 Pair (high level of insulation) • Stiffer fully waterproof mitts. http://www.backcountry.com/ • Leather palms

SLEEPING Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed • Expedition quality sleeping The North Face Inferno 40 bag (rated to -40°C, -40°F) down preferred. Helsport Kongsfjorden 2 bag system • Down is much lighter and will pack smaller than synthetic Available to borrow from bags. Polar Expedition Training • Full body-length mummy bag if you don’t wish to invest in Sleeping Bag with generous hood. your own. 1 st • A little spare space inside is Must be booked by January 1 . useful to store drinks bottles,

batteries and other non- freeze items. • Full length zips are important for ventilation and temperature control. • 14 POLAR TRAINING COURSE KIT LIST

Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed • Full length Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress • Closed cell foam • Textured surface Available to borrow from Polar Expedition Training if you don’t wish Foam sleeping mat 1 The Z range are best because they to invest in your own, but they must st fold up neatly in a concertina be booked by January 1 . style, the ones that roll are annoying.

• Full length Therm-a-rest 4- season Neo Air • 4-season Exped DownMat UL 7 Sleeping Pad • Also bring a repair kit. Available to borrow from Polar Inflatable sleeping pad 1 Expedition Training if you don’t wish to invest in your own, but they must be booked by January 1st.

• Get a big one! Nalgene 1.4 litre • 1.4 litre Nalgene wide mouth bottle. Only Nalgene bottles don’t leak! • Label clearly!

Pee bottle 1

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed Recommended for women, can be Freshette useful for peeing into a bottle at is better than Shewee and Whiz night and in the field.

1 Female Pee Funnel I recommend practising at home in the shower.

• Helps with good sleep on wild Whichever kind work for you nights

1 pair Earplugs

EATING Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed • With wide mouth Nalgene 1 litre • Screw top • No leaks, these will be going Only Nalgene bottles don’t leak! in your bed 16 oz / 1 litre Nalgene 2 lexan bottle

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed You must have insulated covers Outdoor Research water bottle parka for you Nalgene drinking bottles, otherwise they will freeze. http://www.campsaver.com/outdoor- research-water-bottle-parka Insulated cover for Nalgene 2 bottles

• Stainless steel Lifeventure 1000 Vacuum Flask • Not glass inside • Light https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Sports- Outdoors/Life-Venture-LifeVenture- Vacuum-Flask-1000ml- 16oz / 1 litre thermos flask 1 Anodised/B00CI3NU04

I don’t often say “Get this one!” GSI Outdoors Fair Share Mug II but this is one of those things, get (with insulated cover) this one! It is the best. https://www.rei.com/product/11611 1 600ml Plastic mug with lid 9/gsi-outdoors-fairshare-mug-32-fl-oz

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed Lexan or titanium REI Co-Op Campware Long Spoon Do not bring not a Spork!! https://www.rei.com/product/78152 9/rei-co-op-campware-long-spoon 1 Long handled spoon

With lid https://www.rei.com/product/79287 3/rei-co-op-recycled-camp-mug-12-fl- oz

1 Mug

SKIING Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed Alpha Mordre Boots Baffin 3-Pin Guide Pro Boot These require a considerable investment, you will hire them Asnes skis: Skis,boots, poles and for the course and we will go Amundsen Fram BC N/A bindings through the different options Amundsen BC so you can make an informed Liv Arnesen BC decision for your purchase. Fischer skis: Offtrack Crown range 18 POLAR TRAINING COURSE KIT LIST

TOILETRIES Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed • High factor SPF 50 or Dermatone above. Kiss My Face • Water not oil based is Banana Boat Sunscreen 1 best • Kids products are often the best quality

• High SPF factor Dermatone minimum SPF 45 Kiss My Face Banana Boat

Lip salve 2

Toothbrush, toothbrush 1 cover, toothpaste and floss.

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed A small travel towel is perfect

1 Micro fibre wash cloth

Handkerchiefs Cold temperatures cause

runny noses. • Small handy packs • Don’t get a big block, they freeze and turn into a brick 4 Wet Wipes

• Tampons • Pads • Thinx

As required Feminine Hygiene

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed • Spare contact lenses, consider daily disposables or long wear. As required Eye care • Fluids (will freeze) • Prescription glasses • Consider prescription goggles • Personal medications • Bandaids/plasters • Blister care (Compeed, , second skin) • Medicated foot powder Personal First Aid Kit Kinesiology Tape 1 • (important!) not the KT

brand, it doesn’t stick well. • Over-the-counter mild analgesia that you are familiar with

ADDITIONAL ITEMS Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed A small, simple one is fine Leatherman Gerber Knife/Multitool 1

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed • Big face Casio • Digital readout not G-2900F-2VER hands • Easy to read time Watch 1 • Alarm

Preferably with a Global Suunto weighted needle. M-3 G MC-2G 1 Compass

• Approx. 19 x 9.5inches Sea To Summit • Get different colours to Ultra-Sil Stuff Sacks XL organize all your kit in the sled.

• You might like some 5 Stuff Sacks small ones too for little bits and pieces.

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Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed Of course if you don’t own one, we don’t expect you to buy one, but we deliver 1 Laptop/Ipad useful spreadsheets during the course and it is great if you can work on them Very useful to bring your Garmin own if you have one GPSMAP range

GPS Optional

We will be out in the dark so Black Diamond a powerful headlamp is Polar Icon essential.

1 Headlamp

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Lithium are best

As required Batteries

2 Lighters

Number Desirable Features Example Picture Ones I Like Item & description Check needed Optional Camera Iphones do great in the cold Notebook Lightweight journal, pencil & 1 pen. Bring some practical comfortable clothing for 1 Street clothes wearing indoors during the classroom sessions

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