The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition comprised an eclectic mix of eight women from around the world on a 38-day journey through inhospitable conditions to tire South Pole. In order to keep this multinational team warm, comfortable and happy, an eclectic mix of clothing, kit and food was required. Here is a selection of tire expedition's essential items, from tents and toilet bags to timepieces and tasty meals
Don't forget ...
... to take plenty of moisturiser with you. The air in Antarctica is very dry, and dry skin is more prone to cold injury
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YUKON ARCTIC ULTRA RACE
(1) TENT
Hilleberg Keron GT 4 with snow valances
800 [pounds sterling]/5.2 KILOGRAMS
Tunnel tents are quick and easy to pitch and strike, as the poles can be left in situ and the tent just rolled up around them. Hillebergs are spacious inside and have a good reputation for durability in tough conditions
(2) TOILET BAGS
Brief Relief Disposa-John
2.70 [pounds sterling]/63 GRAMS
A self-contained bag for liquid and solid waste. Double-lined, with a secure zip-lock closure, each bag contains polymers and enzymes that turns faeces into a deodorised gel. The bag can be disposed of in the same way as any waste destined for landfill
(3) SLEEPING MAT
Multimat Summit XL
42 [pounds sterling]/355 GRAMS
After a long day hauling sledges, a good sleep is essential. Inflatable mats carry the risk of puncture, so durable solid-foam mats are preferable. Sleep on two of these mats and you'll never know that you're lying on ice
(4) BALACLAVA
Outdoor Research Gorilla
30 [pounds sterling]/86 GRAMS
With a removable chin-flap and nose piece, this is an extremely versatile bit of kit that protects the face from exposure. It comes in three sizes for men and women: our Jamaican team member needed a larger size to accommodate her impressive dreadlocks
(5) WINDPROOF CLOTHING
Montane Featherlite smock
45 [pounds sterling]/100 GRAMS
This was the item of equipment that the whole team raved about after the expedition. It has been pared down to the basics but is extremely effective. On most days in Antarctica, we wore just a thermal layer with this windproof over the top
(6) BREAKFAST
Otter Valley Power Porridge
3.50 [pounds sterling]/500 GRAMS
Power Porridge is a mixture of oats, seeds and whole grains. It provides all the goodies (such as vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and fibre) that are so hard to pack into an expedition diet. Wheat-, nut--and dairy-free with no added salt or fat
(7) WATCH
North of Denmark SubZero GMT
222 [pounds sterling]/25 GRAMS
During the Antarctic summer, there is 24-hour daylight, and the sun simply circles in the sky. A watch is essential to keep track of the hours and days. The watch we used is tested to -40[degrees]C, keeps track of multiple time zones and has scratch-resistant glass
(8) HAT
Chocolate Fish merino-possum beanie
20 [pounds sterling]/50 GRAMS
These beanie hats--60 per cent merino, 40 per cent possum fur--are warm and comfortable.They are double layered and long enough to cover ears and the back of the neck. We also also used them to cover our eyes while sleeping to block out the 24-hour daylight
(9) DINNER
Fuizion freeze-dried food
7 [pounds sterling]/120 GRAMS
The excitement on seeing a real vegetable after a long day skiing can't be overstated. These are the best dehydrated expedition meals I've ever tasted. I can particularly recommend the Kung Po Chicken. Fuizion is also the only UK supplier of halal expedition meals
(10) 12V SOLAR PANEL
Flexcell Sunpack solar charger
120 [pounds sterling]/500 GRAMS
Being able to recharge batteries is critical, because losing power to a satellite telephone can mean the end of you r expedition. The Flexcell Sunpack was easy to use, durable and reliable. It uses a universal cigarette lighter connection
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