Ten of the best

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

Outdoor Research Gorilla42 [pounds sterling]/355 GRAMSTunnel 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 conditions3.50 [pounds sterling]/500 GRAMS(3) SLEEPING MAT(7) WATCHBrief Relief Disposa-John(8) HATDon't forget ...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 fatFlexcell Sunpack solar charger(10) 12V SOLAR PANEL(4) BALACLAVA(9) DINNERThese 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 daylight45 [pounds sterling]/100 GRAMS7 [pounds sterling]/120 GRAMSThis 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 topMultimat Summit XLA 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 landfill2.70 [pounds sterling]/63 GRAMSNorth of Denmark SubZero GMT(2) TOILET BAGSHilleberg Keron GT 4 with snow valances(1) TENT800 [pounds sterling]/5.2 KILOGRAMS222 [pounds sterling]/25 GRAMS120 [pounds sterling]/500 GRAMSMontane Featherlite smockFuizion freeze-dried food... to take plenty of moisturiser with you. The air in Antarctica is very dry, and dry skin is more prone to cold injuryAfter 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 iceNEXT MONTH:30 [pounds sterling]/86 GRAMSWith 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 dreadlocksYUKON ARCTIC ULTRA RACEDuring 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 glassOtter Valley Power PorridgeBeing 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 connection20 [pounds sterling]/50 GRAMS(6) BREAKFASTChocolate Fish merino-possum beanie(5) WINDPROOF CLOTHING

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