The weather conditions during the end of March and April can be changeable. There is the possibility of temperatures above 0 and precipitation; or temperatures can drop down to minus 35. There may be a cold and strong wind. From the beginning of April there will be 24 hours of daylight and midnight sun from around mid-April.

We provide:

• Snowshoes

• Hiking poles

• Pulka (sledge that you will pull behind you on the snow to transport your

  equipment to/from our camp)

• Snow shovels

• Tents

• 2 Sleeping mats per person, type: 14 mm cellular plastic or similar

• Camping stove, Fuel, cooking pots and utensils

• Camp cutlery and crockery

• Thermos flask if needed

• Necessary equipment for polar bear protection (rifle, flair gun etc.) and all safety gear 

• First aid equipment

What to Bring:

Essential Clothing

• 3 sets of wool baselayers (sheep/merino/alpaca) for legs and upper body

• 3 pairs thick wool socks (available to buy with our providers in Longyearbyen, NOK 100 per pair)

• 3 pairs thin wool socks

• Hard shell Gore-Tex or otherwise breathable jacket (windproof, waterproof and breathable)

• Wind and waterproof trousers - not too tight (so you can fit multiple layers underneath and breathable)

• Insulated trousers for camp

• Alternatively, windproof and insulated skiing trousers

• Warm, thick finger gloves for camp and setup (not glove liners)

• Windproof, warm mittens for hiking (NO gloves - must be mittens as so much warmer)

• Warm woollen mittens to wear underneath windproof over-mittens

• 1 warm hat/beanie for hiking and sleeping

• 1 very warm hat for camp, preferably with ear flaps

• 2 long, warm buffs in wool or similar (protection against cold and wind)

• Mid-layer between jacket and wool underwear (e.g. thin fleece, wool sweater, gilet)

• Mid-layer for legs

• Big expedition down jacket for breaks and camp

• Casual clothes for Longyearbyen town 

Essential Gear

• Small backpack for day trips (minimum 35 litres)

• Winter sleeping bag with comfort temperature of -25/30°C (can be rented from our providers contact us at bookings@gutsygirls.co.uk at least 30 days before your trip and specify your height)

• Warm hiking boots like Sorel or similar, big enough for both thin and thick wool socks

• 1 litre Nalgene bottle (used as hot water bottle in sleeping bag - other brands may leak with boiling water)

• Snow/ski goggles

• Sunglasses

• Non-water-based sun protection cream

• Toiletry bag including Sunscreen (high factor) and lip balm, hand sanitiser, prescription medication, painkillers – e.g. paracetamol/ibuprofen, compeed or moleskin – for potential blisters

• Head torch & spare batteries

• Swimwear & neoprene gloves/boots & travel towel & sliders / flip flops

• Credit cards (NO bank in Longyearbyen)

• Snacks – Bring a variety of your favourites

Recommended

• Camera and extra batteries

• Earplugs & eye mask – Useful in shared cabins

Important Notes

• If you wear glasses, contact lenses are advised as ice forms on glasses. Alternatively, bring snow goggles and sunglasses that fit over your glasses

• Pack clothes and sleeping bags in waterproof bags/containers

• Longyearbyen has a wide selection of sports shops, and you pay no VAT, so if you are uncertain of equipment we advise to purchase it there.