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You are here: Home / 777 / My Packing List for Antarctica

My Packing List for Antarctica

January 20, 2017 By Joel Runyon 8 Comments

I just got back from doing a pre-flight departure meeting last night.

Today, I’m flying out to Antarctica.

I’m half excited and half terrified.

I’m 100% packed and really don’t know what to expect, but according to our packing lists, I’m theoretically prepared (although I’m not sure how prepared you can be until you show up).

I travel pretty minimally and pride myself on the fact that I don’t have a bunch of “stuff”, but for something like this, I don’t think you can wing it.

We did receive a packing list, so here’s what I’m bringing to the game.

This is my Antarctica gear bag. Making sure I have all my gear together before flying out for Southern Chile tomorrow. I'm gonna share my packing list later this week. Let's go! #777project #antarctica #icemarathon100k 🇦🇶 . http://IMPOSSIBLEHQ.com/777

A post shared by Joel Runyon (@joelrunyon) on Jan 15, 2017 at 7:02pm PST

If you’re thinking about running this race in the future or just going to Antarctica in general, maybe this will help. Or if you’re interested in what it takes to survive and run 100 kilometers in one of the harshest places on earth, take a look.

Here’s what I’m packing:

Base Layers

Table of Contents

  • Base Layers
  • Mid Layer
  • Wind Layer
  • Feet
  • Hands
  • Bags
  • Accessories
  • POLAR GEAR

Patagonia Capilene 260 (crew) x 2

Merino wool designed to keep me warm. I got 2 of them in case I need a change halfway through.

Patagonia Capilene 260 (lower) x 2

Ditto, but for my lower body.

Mid Layer

Patagonia Nano Fleece

This might be my new favorite layer of all time. It doesn’t seem like much, but it’s super comfortable, packs down small and is crazy warm. I want my whole wardrobe to be made out of this material.

Patagonia R1 Full Zip Jacket

Just in case I need a bit more warmth. This might be overkill, but I figure there’s no such thing as overkill when you’re running 100 kilometers in Antarctica.

Wind Layer

Arcteryx Beta AR Wind Shell

A hooded windproof & waterproof shell that’s super breathable with a ton of ventilation options.

RAB Pant Shell

These are pretty loose and comfortable, so I should be able to cut through wind without weighing myself down. I’m a little worried it might be just a bit cold with just this plus the thermals, but I’m told this will be just fine (plus I like running with my legs a bit cold anyways).

Feet

Foot Liner

Simple enough.

Wool Socks (2)

Gotta take care of the feet and keep them warm. My toes always freeze first.

Innov8 Terraclaw Trail Shoes

My go-to trail shoes.

Hands

RAB Alliance Mitts w/ fingers

I’m told I’ll spend most of my time using these, as they have liners I can pull off and just use the mitts to keep my fingers warm.

RAB Gloves

Basic walk-around gloves.

Spare Gloves

Just in case the first ones get soaked.

Bags

I’m a bag fiend. I don’t own a ton of stuff on purpose, but I have a lot of bags that I like. A lot.

This one is my most recent favorite. The Patagonia Black Hole 42L

I love this bag. It fits everything and it’s just awesome. It’s called the “black hole,” and somehow it carries 42L even though it barely takes up any space. It’s my new go-to bag when I need to getaway. It’s just awesome.

Since I ended up buying so much gear just for Antarctica, while I don’t normally ever check a bag, I carried this one on with me and checked my “normal clothes” bag, figuring that I would rather sacrifice losing my normal clothes if they screwed something up than my polar gear.

And, while doing so, I might be sapping this out. It’s my new favorite and fits a ton of stuff.

Absolutely pumped about it.

Accessories

Ski Goggles

So I don’t go sun-blind.

Sunglasses

In case the goggles get too hot.

Beard (naturally grown)

To protect my face.

Balaclava

To protect my beard.

Buffs

I have a bunch of these from the last few years. I use them a lot in races to keep the sweat out of my eyes and to wipe down my face. These are the polar fleece ones that will help keep my neck from freezing.

Neck Gaiter

Just in case I don’t like the buff.

Hat

Gotta trap the heat.

Race Belt

Duh

Piss Bottle

Self explanatory.

Chomps

I’m gonna be out there a long time. I’m gonna need some fuel.

POLAR GEAR

On top of all my Antarctica race gear, I’m also renting a bunch of gear from the logistics company for when I’m walking around camp and not running the ultra.

Polar Jacket

Hooded down jacket that goes on top of all my other layers (when I’m not running). Should look like one big colored marshmallow.

Polar Pants

I’m basically going for the full Michelin man look here…

-100ºF Rated Boots w/ Liners

Like I said, gotta keep the toes warm!

///

And that’s it. I keep wanting to run to the gear store to pick up some last minute items, but we’re dropping off our bags later today to check them and then have to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.

The good news is that I’ll likely be able to use most of this gear for the Rovaniemi race coming up as well, given that it’s basically happening at the home of Santa Claus (literally, Wikipedia that ish). But I’ll share more about that when the time comes…

Until then, I’m going to go dark for the next few days. There’s no wifi in Antarctica, so I’ll be sure to share a whole bunch of updates as soon as I get back.

LETS GO.

 

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Filed Under: 777, Adventures

About Joel Runyon

I started IMPOSSIBLE to push myself to try to live a life worth writing about by pushing my limits, living an adventure & telling a great story by doing the impossible. You can get free updates in your inbox via your new favorite newsletter, free fitness training tutorials, and see all my businesses at Impossible X and our philanthropic efforts at Impossible.org

Comments

  1. Marvin says

    January 20, 2017 at 3:23 am

    Crushh it Joel! I’m rooting for you man!

    Reply
  2. lynn seal says

    January 21, 2017 at 3:09 am

    Have a great time Joel and thanks for the packing list.

    Reply
  3. Rohit Malhotra says

    January 21, 2017 at 3:41 am

    Awesome Joel. Have a great trip and thanks for the packing gear vid!

    Rohit I Lifeselfmastery

    Reply
  4. Eric says

    January 22, 2017 at 10:15 am

    Good luck man, and have fun … I’ll get to the frozen continent at some point in the next few years or so!

    Reply
  5. Paul says

    January 23, 2017 at 1:13 am

    Great! Good luck and be carefull 🙂

    Reply
  6. Denise says

    January 23, 2017 at 7:54 am

    Joel

    Good Luck on the run.. We know you will make it.. just breath and take your time… 100km is unreal for most people but you are not most people.. although we all can learn from you on how to be healthier and stronger and more courageous.. Will enjoy checking out the race… We know you will give it all you got.. 🙂 Denise

    Reply
  7. Will says

    January 27, 2017 at 9:21 am

    Regarding the Black Hole 45L, I’d be interested to hear how it holds up. I’m looking to get a new back for all of my weightlifting junk, and I’m torn between a Black Hole bag (leaning towards the 60L) or the Datsusara Gear Bag Core (49L). I’ve got the 6L Cube, and I love it, but want something breathable for sweaty shoes, clothes, etc, especially since I’m in Columbia, SC, where our chief export is humidity.

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      January 28, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      It’s held up good so far (and it’s hit 4 continents!).

      Needs more time to test, but I’ve got a dry sack that holds all my dirty stuff, so that might help if you’ve got a ton of nasty gym gear to toss in.

      Reply

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