Packing list Pre- Lapland

So, only a couple of days until I head to a rather wintery Lapland with Helen Lloyd so here’s a look at my packing list for this trip (we’re each taking a solo set up in case we decide to go our separate ways…).

Helen’s packing list can be found >HERE<

I haven’t camped at under -5 degrees C before and can expect anything down to -30C so there’s alot of guess work involved and maybe a little overkill on the clothing, time will tell. Naturally after the trip I’ll write a lot more about what I’ve learned and how my gear got on.

Bike: Mr Hyde has become Winter Hyde more about the winter modifications >HERE<

Tent :

Hilleberg Allak including snow stakes. More about the tent >HERE<.

Sleeping system :

• Thermarest Z-lite foam sleeping mat
• Thermarest Prolite ladies sleeping mat
• Cumulus Excuistic 1000 Rated at-32 degrees C. As I’m a softy this translates to about -20/25 comfort maybe slightly lower with the other elements of the sleeping system.
• Army surplus Goretex bivvy
• Vapour barrier layer (VBL) : Adventure Medical Lightweight Emergency Bivvy
• Silk sleeping bag liner

More details about my sleeping system can be found >HERE<

Clothing :

• Base layer – Marmot lightweight bottoms, X-bionics energizer shirt
• Mid layer light – No name running pants, Berghaus argentium shirt x2
• Mid layer heavy – Fleece Salopettes, light fleece
• Insulation layer – Marmot Vars hoody,  PHD vest
• Staying warm while hanging around in the evening layer – Cumulus  incredilite down jacket. THICK socks + thick Sealskinz
• Outer wind/waterproof layer – Breathable ski pants with a thin layer of fleece lining. Fancy Mountain Equiptment Kalanka goretex Jacket
• Head /neck – Mountain Equiptment Powerstretch balaclaver, fleece hat, Buff x2, Manfur (© Evolution)
• Feet – Three layers of socks (thin cycling socks/thin Sealskinz/thick socks) hopefully get the sweat away from my feet and in the removable insoles of my boots. Also considering using a VBL between my socks and boot liners
• Hands – The North Face Meru mitts incl. 3 finger liners, Goretex gloves, Marmot Fleece gloves, Hotpog Arctic Poggies
• Shoes : Sorel Caribou snow boots with reserve insulating liners (so I can dry one pair out each evening) I’ve gone for a pair a 2 sizes larger than my normal size to allow a pair of normal shoe insoles inside the liners for extra walking comfort/insulation plus 2/3 layers of socks
• Running shoes : for getting around town and to and from the airport when it’s too warm for the snow boots, and to outrun Helen if we bump into any bears
• Underwear :X-bionics underwear and various synthetic socks (cotton underwear takes much longer to dry so would get damn cold
• Exped dry bag(s) to keep all my clothing dry (my panniers are not as waterproof as they were before cycling 25000km with them…)
• Sunglasses with various lenses.
• Ski Goggles

How I use the various layers will be a question of trial and error and depend on how extreme the weather is, I suspect its slightly overkill but time will tell.

Kitchen :

• Stove : Optinmus nova+ multifuel and maybe Msr Pocket rocket in reserve
• XL home made foil windscreen
• Pans : 1.2L for cooking, 2L for snow melting
• Fork/knife : Plastic spork (titanium one is staying at home as it might stick to my lips or hands when cold) Opinel knife (larger than my usual one so I can use it with gloves on)
• Thermos flask 0.75L
• Mug : Using the mug from my flask rather than taking an extra one.
• Herbs/spices bottles
• Camelbak 1.5L (hoping that by keeping the water near my bottle it won’t freeze)

Electronics :

• Camera – Panasonic Lumix Gf2 with spare battery
• Kindle (have my doubts about it staying alive at -30)
• Samsung Galaxy mini phone (charging via my hub dynamo)
• USB Battery charger ( I can charge 2XAA batteries via my hub dynamo and E-werk)
• Ipod nano
• Fenix LED torch , at the time of purchase in 2009 this was one of the most powerful 2xAA torches on the marker, there’s probably cheaper options available now though. This is my main torch for when I need serious light, though its heavy on the batteries.
• Petzel E-lite head torch, long battery life but not a great deal of light, great for stuff in and around the tent in the evening and only weighs 50g.
• Mini tripod (10cm)
• Various cables and chargers

Tools: 

• Bike tools : The usual suspects 
• Foldable saw (for fire wood processing)
• Snow shovel
• Various spare parts

Misc : 

• First aid kit
• Toiletries + medicine
• Travel towel
• Passport
• Map
• Notebook and pencil (pen won’t work)
• Chemical hand warmers (you never know…)

Thanks !

As a final note I’d like to thank the following companies for their support in preparing for this trip.

• Webtogs
• Hotpog
• FallonBikes
• Cumulus

Also Camp Ripan for their warm welcome and hospitality on our arrival in Kiruna, Sweden.