Antarctic Peninsula Gear List
I must be getting excited about skiing as I spent the day compiling a list of 30 gear recommendations and accompanying photos for the upcoming Ice Axe Ski Cruise to Antarctica this November.
A lot of this gear is just variations on a general backcountry theme, but having been down there four times, I’ve developed an opinion on what works, and what doesn’t. In general, it is not as cold as people might think and the prime conditions are either north facing corn or south facing pockets of recrystalized powder. The approaches can also be longer than expected, especially if you are from somewhere like the Wasatch where approach length is measured in centimeters and seconds. Another factor with the approaches is that there are no trees, roads, antenna, buildings, etc., to give any sense of scale, so you start out thinking “Hmmm, I’ll just cruise up to that peak and have a snack…” and an hour later you still haven’t gotten there.
This gear list is obviously influenced by the fine companies I work with, so take it with a grain of breathable Dry.Q salt and a pinch of Backcountry.com bacon.
Category: 02 Gear, Announcements
Andrew, I’m going this year. Hope to get to ski with you down there.
Why don’t u like the belay loop on the Coulour harness?
I use a 6 mm static cord to tie to my climbing rope to rappel.
I put the thick rope thru the anchor, rap on both ropes, then pull on the static cord to get the ropes down.
The problem is that if there drag, the static stretches quite a bit and it’s almost impossible to pull the ropes down.
what do you recommend?
I use the static cord to save weight.
I am considering using a 5.5 mm tech cord, and perhaps rapping just on the climbing rope, and using the tech cord just to pull the rope down.
Hi Tony – I don’t like a belay loop on ski mountaineering harnesses as they make it more difficult to drop your leg loops. Plus, you generally aren’t doing a lot of belaying in these types of harnesses. I’ve found that a large locking biner serves the same purpose and provides much more versatility.