We usually find that people overdress on our first few excursions ashore, but it is better to be a little over-cautious at first. Underneath your waterproof outer layer, you will need 2 or 3 layers depending on the day – for example, thermal underwear, jumper and fibre pile jacket.
As we like to say, 'dress like an onion'. We recommend you don't wear cotton, instead choose merino wool, silk or polyester as they retain body heat far better. On top of one or two base layers, you can then add a fleece layer, before your outer weatherproof jacket.
Insulation fleeces that use Polartec materials are the best option. Typically, Polartec fleeces come in 100s, 200s or 300s. 300 is the heaviest, but usually the best weight in the cold Antarctica conditions. Our recommended Polartec-200 Fleece Jackets include North Face, Helly Hansen and Columbia.
In most circumstances several layers of lightweight clothes are better than one or two layers of thick, heavy clothes. The layers allow good ventilation, and at the same time the trapped air acts as good insulation against the cold.
Moisture-absorbing cotton – Cotton doesn't wick sweat well which can make it feel cold and clammy after exertion, so avoid wearing moisture-absorbing cotton in Antarctica. Stick instead to wool, high-tech Capilene and synthetics like polyester and fleece, or even silk.
Our research found that the warmest material is wool, with thicker Icelandic wool being even better, and a wool-acrylic blend being somewhere in the middle. The warmest clothing for you will be dictated by the number of layers you can use, and the thickness of the materials you are wearing.
Three layers of clothing will keep you dry and warm: a base layer for removing moisture, a mid-layer to keep you warm, and an outer layer to protect you from the elements.
The field camp has an out-doors toilet that consists of a 'poo bucket' with a polystyrene lid and a 'pee barrel' which has a funnel on top. When the scientists leave the field they take all their wastes with them so that they do not contaminate the environment.
In the Arctic, our legs are not only exposed to the wind, but are also likely to get wet at some point from snow, rain or water splashes. Ensure your pants are water- and windproof! The two common options are snow pants and bibs. If you have a lower back prone to cold pains, bibs will provide extra protection.
Although Antarctica is the coldest continent on earth, during the tourist season (November to March) you can expect mild temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula, around 0 degrees Celsius or 34 degrees Fahrenheit. On a hot day it could even go up to 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit).
Its remoteness. The new ETOPS 330 rules allowed certain aircraft, certified to fly no more than 330 minutes from a diversion airport, to fly over parts of Antarctica if needed, possibly to avoid headwinds on other routes. The issue is the lack of diversion airports available in Antarctica, plus the lack of need.
About 98% of Antarctica is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, a sheet of ice averaging at least 1.0 mile (1.6 km) thick. The continent has about 90% of the world's ice (and thereby about 70% of the world's fresh water). If all of this ice were to melt, sea levels would rise about 200 ft (60m).
Check it out! The USAP Participant Guide states: “Summer residents at South Pole Station are restricted to two, two-minute showers per week.” That is… not a lot of shower!
Discover the logic behind leaving shoes outside dorms in Antarctica to avoid waking up roommates. Explore Antarctic living conditions and customs.
Are there any fitness requirements for Antarctica? The short answer is no, but some activities will be more enjoyable if you have an average level of fitness, such as kayaking and walking as part of shore landings.
Any leftover solid waste is shipped back to the US on cargo ships. The McMurdo Station is the largest research station out of about 50 on the continent and accommodates an average of 850 visitors during the busy summer season, which translates to a whole lot of human waste.
Roald Amundsen
One of the most famous polar explorers in history, Norwegian Amundsen was the first to reach both the North and South Pole in his lifetime.
Thermal underwear and loose-fitting windproof outer layers are particularly important. Boots and mittens are important to protect the feet and hands, and are specially designed for these extreme conditions. High thermal insulation is important to prevent frostbite.
Simply put, the 3-layer principle is all about layering with garments to stay warm and dry from the inside out. Dressing according to the 3-layer principle means you utilise the properties of different types of garments for moisture transportation, insulation, and protection against rain, wind and snow.
2.5-Layer Construction
This laminate/coating acts as a barrier to help protect the layer against sweat, dirt, or other oils that could clog the pores, which would affect the breathability. Because this “layer” is not really a true layer, it's considered a “half layer”, hence why it's called 2.5.
No Layers: The Bottom Line. Ultimately, both layered and non-layered haircuts are versatile and can flatter a wide range of hair types, lengths, and textures. Neither is better than the other—it's just a matter of what type of look and maintenance you prefer.
Have you ever wondered about the optimal temperature for life on Earth? For humans, 20°C is comfortable. Any warmer and we work less efficiently because releasing heat requires energy.
“Cotton kills”
As the air pockets in the fabric fill up with water, it ceases to provide insulation. A damp layer of clothing against the skin pulls heat away from the body and can rapidly lower body temperature. Furthermore, wet, cotton clothing takes much longer to dry than comparably weighted synthetic fabrics.
The North Face McMurdo Down Parka ($400) is one of the warmest winter jackets we've ever tested. It is also waterproof with The North Face's DryVent waterproof/breathable fabric, has a simple, sporty style that we like, and has a relatively affordable price in today's market.