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.