Packing List
Svalbard Snowshoe Adventure Camp
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
Winter sleeping bag (comfortable in -25/30°C)
Two sleeping mats per person, type: 14 mm cellular plastic or similar
Camp cutlery and crockery
Thermos flask if needed
First aid equipment
What to Bring:
Essential Clothing
Three sets of wool base layers (sheep/merino/alpaca) for legs and upper body
Three pairs thick wool socks (available to buy with our providers in Longyearbyen, NOK 100 per pair)
Three pairs thin wool socks
Hard shell Gore-Tex or otherwise breathable jacket (windproof, waterproof and breathable)
Wind and waterproof trousers - breathable and not too tight (so you can fit multiple layers underneath)
Insulated trousers or windproof and insulated skiing trousers for camp
Warm, thick finger gloves for camp and setup
Windproof, warm mittens for hiking (NO gloves - must be mittens)
Warm woollen mittens to wear underneath windproof over-mittens
Glove liners
One warm hat/beanie for hiking and sleeping
One very warm hat for camp, preferably with ear flaps
Two long, warm buffs in wool or similar (protection against cold and wind)
Mid-layer between jacket and wool base layers (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)
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 and spare batteries
Swimwear and 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 and eye mask – useful in shared tent
Important Notes
If you wear glasses, contact lenses are advised as ice forms on the glass. 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.