A general McMurdo Station packing list is essential for anyone going to work in Antarctica for the first time.
While everyone’s list will be slightly different depending on your job, this post will cover the basic things you’ll want to bring based on my experience working in McMurdo.
Weight and Baggage Allowance
There are two things to keep in mind: commercial flight luggage/weight restrictions and the weight limit for the ice flight (Christchurch to McMurdo).
Commercial flights will allow you to check in two, 50 lb bags.
However, you’ll only be allowed to bring 85 lbs of checked luggage with you onto the ice flight.
This will include around 10 lbs of your mandatory extreme cold weather (ECW) gear.
If you are working in the kitchen and/or will be given uniform to wear as well, expect to save a few extra pounds for this.
So, this will turn out to be 70-75 lbs of your own luggage + ~10 lbs reserved for ECW/uniform.
Additionally, you can bring up to 15 lbs of carry-on, and this does not count toward the 85 lbs of checked luggage.
Tip: There is a small storage area on station as well as bins in every dorm called Skua (named after the bird) where you can find used clothing and goods that others have left behind.
While you won’t find everything you need there, chances are that if you’re in need of a shirt or sweater during your contract, you’ll be able to find something in Skua.
Related: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About Life at McMurdo Station, Antarctica
Clothing Packing List
Jacket
In addition to the Big Red parka that’s issued to you, you’ll want to bring your own jacket that’s not as bulky.
There are days where the Big Red will actually be too warm to wear around, so less intense outerwear will be more comfortable.
This is the jacket I brought down with me that worked out well.
Waterproof Pants
Again, you’ll get a set of overall snow bibs as part of your ECW, and again, you’ll almost never wear them.
If your job requires you to be outdoors, you might want to bring a few sets of warm, waterproof snow pants.
I loved the pair I brought because it was fleece-lined and lightweight yet roomy enough to wear over leggings.
Long Thermal Underwear/ Fleece-Lined Everything
Non-cotton materials for base layers are recommended, such as polyester or merino wool.
While the packing list USAP provides suggests bringing both lightweight and mid-weight base layers, I found that lightweight layers were sufficient for me as someone who worked indoors and occasionally went on hikes.
The best decision I made was bringing literally fleece-lined everything: leggings, thermal tops, a beanie, and snow pants as previously mentioned.
Regular Clothes + Loungewear
Be sure to pack a mix of normal everyday clothes like t-shirts, sweaters, and jeans.
While it is cold in Antarctica, it’s not often as cold as you’d expect, and you’ll be spending the majority of your off-time indoors anyway.
For lazy days, don’t forget your favorite pair of joggers or sweatpants. Especially since there are a few weeks of managed isolation in hotels for the 2021-2022 season, you’ll definitely want to have your comfiest pandemic loungewear attire.
Related: Life at the South Pole Station: Everything You Want to Know
Socks
Warm Winter Socks
Merino wool socks are definitely a must to keep you warm, especially if you work outside.
As a stewie, I only brought a few pairs of thick, warm socks just for the days I spent several hours outdoors or for hikes.
Work Socks
Again for indoor staff, you won’t want to wear super warm socks for work.
Regular socks are fine. But for kitchen workers, bringing a few more extra pairs than you think you’ll need is probably a good idea.
You’re bound to rip a hole or lose a few in the laundry room (especially if someone gets to your washer or dryer before you and isn’t so thorough in taking your clothes out).
You’ll want to have a few backups on hand.
Underwear
Same goes for underwear: bring extra.
Why? It’s not like you can easily buy more while on station; and also, disturbingly, there are people who will steal your underwear.
(Typically only among men. I really have no idea why, but I heard this happen to more than one guy the last time I was there.)
Gym Clothes + Shoes
If you plan on working out or doing any sports while in McMurdo, pack some gym clothes and appropriate shoes.
I’d definitely suggest packing the bare minimum of workout t-shirts and tanks as there’s always an abundance of these in Skua if you’re not picky.
Costumes
If you ask anyone on Reddit what to pack for a season in Antarctica, the most common answer is almost always to bring less regular clothing and more costumes, because McMurdo.
There’s no event or party where a costume is not appropriate on station. Be prepared for lots of middle-aged adults in onesies.
Keep in mind that if you don’t bring a costume down and want to join in on the merriment, there’s always Skua.
Holiday Outfit
There are several times on station when people like to get a little more dressed up than usual, especially Christmas.
It’s not mandatory and not everyone takes part, but if you have extra room in your luggage and you like getting festive, bring one nice outfit. (Don’t bother packing more than one.)
Accessories
• Fleece-lined beanie and/or headwrap
• Gloves: You’ll be issued a bulky leather pair and one thinner set of gloves, but I preferred to bring my own pair that didn’t require me to take them off to use my phone or GoPro‘s touchscreen.
• Sunglasses: You do not want to be in Antarctica without a pair of good sunglasses with UV protection. The 24/7 daylight in the summer and reflection from the ice can make the outdoors very bright. You might even consider bringing a backup pair just in case.
Related: How I Got Paid to Live in Antarctica: FAQ About Working on the Ice
Shoes
Hiking Boots
You’ll be issued what are called “bunny boots” as part of your mandatory ECW, but like all the other mandatory gear, you’ll probably never wear them except when you’re flying in and off the continent.
Bringing your own set of hiking boots is more practical and comfortable.
I brought a pair of lightweight Columbia boots which worked out perfectly for hiking the trails around McMurdo.
If your job requires you to work outdoors, you’ll most likely want to pack warmer and more weather-resistant boots.
For more details about recommended footwear for work and recreation, check out my post about the best boots for Antarctica.
Casual Shoes
Bring regular shoes to wear in your downtime.
You won’t be working all the time and you probably won’t want to always wear hiking boots just hanging out at the bar or walking between buildings.
Shower Sandals
Shower sandals are a must, especially if you end up dorming in Building 155 with communal bathrooms, which is most likely if it’s your first season on the ice.
It’s really a personal preference, but even in the shared suites, I’d still bring some sort of fast-drying sandals or flip-flops.
Non-Slip Shoes for Kitchen Staff
While uniforms are provided for kitchen stewards and staff, you will need to bring your own pair of black, non-slip work shoes.
If you’re staying for an entire year, you might even want to bring a backup pair.
Tip for stewards: Try to avoid shoes with mesh lining on the outside if you can. I wore these my first season and while it wasn’t a major issue, they did get wet very easily while washing dishes and I’d often end up with wet socks for a whole shift.
Related: Working in Antarctica: Supply Tech Jim Huston | Stories from the Ice
Non-Clothing Packing List
Bedroom
Bedding and Pillow
Sheets, blankets, and pillows are provided, but many people prefer to bring their own as some of the ones on station are well used.
I have a set of lightweight yet cozy sheets (twin xl) and even a blanket that I always bring with me to my ship contracts and was very happy to bring them down to the ice as well.
I personally didn’t feel like I needed to bring my own pillow, but I’m not too particular on that front.
Things to Decorate Your Room and Walls With
Combined with the isolated environment, I found that the dorms felt very sterile and not at all comforting, so covering up those depressing walls is definitely a must for me.
Common recommended items are twinkle lights, photos, and wall tapestries.
Diffuser + Essential Oils
I don’t think bringing a diffuser and essential oils are that popular, but I did and didn’t regret it.
It tripled as a calming fragrance source (candles aren’t allowed), humidifier, and nightlight.
Bathroom + Toiletries
The station store will have basics like toothpaste, soap, and shampoo/conditioner.
The following are some additional things you might want to pack for McMurdo.
Lotion and Moisturizers
Antarctica is extremely dry, and while the station store will carry some lotions, it might not be enough.
If you use any form of facial moisturizers, bring more than you think you’ll need because the store does not carry anything other than general body lotion.
Sunscreen
The sun is no joke on the ice so you’ll want to wear sunscreen if you’re outside for an extended period.
The store does have some sunscreen for sale, but as with all things, if you have a preferred brand– bring your own.
Towel
The station does not provide towels (although you might be able to find one in Skua, but gross) so be sure to bring your own.
I brought my trusty set of quick-drying travel towels and it saved me so much space in addition to drying super fast so it didn’t stink up the room.
Shower Caddy
Showers in the largest dorm are communal so a small basket or easy-to-pack shower caddy will come in handy.
Hair Dryer
Another personal preference thing, but I brought my travel hair dryer since I have long hair and hate waiting for it to air dry.
Mesh Laundry Bag
As I mentioned, there’s a very good chance that someone will move your clothes to or out of the dryer if you don’t get there on time.
I’ve accepted this, but I also don’t like people touching my underwear, so I throw them in a mesh laundry bag.
They’re also great for ensuring that you don’t lose any socks in transit.
Menstrual Products
There are some products available at the store but again, it’s very limited.
A reusable menstrual cup is a great way to keep costs, luggage space, and waste down if it works comfortably for you.
Motion Sickness Medication
If you’re easily prone to motion sickness like myself, don’t forget to pack some motion sickness medication.
The ice flight down to McMurdo should be fine, but the ride from the airfield to McMurdo Station could be choppy.
This is especially true if you end up getting transported on the larger vehicles such as the Kress (big long red truck) or Ivan (giant orange bus).
Eye Drops
If you have dry eyes or wear contact lenses, definitely bring a few bottles of your preferred eye drops down as the lack of moisture in the air only exacerbates issues.
If you’re like me and have severely dry eyes, regular drops will not be heavy-duty enough.
At the advice of my optometrist, I brought eye gel drops for use during the day and a lubricating eye ointment at night and I’m pretty sure they’re the only reason why my eyes didn’t experience any irritation or vision issues during my contract.
Related: 5 Tips to Alleviate Dry Eyes While Traveling
Electronics
Ethernet Adapter
There’s no Wi-Fi during mainbody (summer season), so the only way to connect your laptop to the internet is with an ethernet cable.
If your laptop doesn’t have an ethernet port, you’ll need to bring an adapter with you.
External Hard Drive + Entertainment
An external hard drive allows you to bring as much digital entertainment as you want, which is also highly recommended.
Download as much music and as many movies, TV shows, and podcasts as you can before flying to the ice as you won’t have access to streaming services on the ice.
Universal Adapter
While you don’t need an adapter on station, you will need one during your time in transit or COVID-managed isolation in New Zealand.
Camera + Accessories
You don’t want to regret not bringing a great camera down with you!
A contract on the ice is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and you’ll see so many unique landscapes and of course, penguins and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
If you have a newer phone, the camera might be good enough if you enjoy nature and photography casually.
However, if you want more professional or high-quality close-up shots of the wildlife, you might consider bringing a camera.
Additionally, if you’re wintering and want to get good photos of the Aurora Australis in Antarctica, a camera is a must as a phone won’t cut it.
Here are some good camera options for every budget:
I also brought a GoPro and used it frequently as the wide-angle provided some truly beautiful shots.
Tip: Bring extra batteries as the extreme cold can do weird things if you’re outside taking pictures for extended periods of time.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Chances are you’ll be flying to McMurdo from Christchurch on either a C-17 or LC-130 Hercules, and it will be loudest flight you’ve ever flown on.
Unlike commercial flights, passenger comfort isn’t really the top priority.
You’ll be offered earplugs when you board, and I highly suggest you use them.
Noise cancelling headphones will also help make the journey more bearable.
Remember, you might be on the plane for up to 10 hours if the plane boomerangs (has to return to Christchurch while enroute to McMurdo) so you’ll want to be as comfortable as possible.
Snacks and Coffee/Tea
You’ll be away from a lot of your favorite snacks and treats for a while, so it’s worth it to sacrifice a bit of luggage space to bring some with you.
If you’re particular about your coffees or teas, definitely bring your own.
Tip: Get as much produce as you can in Christchurch to bring with you on the ice flight as they’ll probably be the last freshies you’ll have for several weeks, if not months.
Water Bottle + Travel Mug
You’ll need to hydrate frequently in the dry environment, so bring a good water bottle that you can refill often and a travel mug to keep your coffees and teas warm.
Additional Antarctica Posts:
- How I Got Paid to Live in Antarctica: FAQ About Working on the Ice
- 20 Things You Didn’t Know About Life at McMurdo Station, Antarctica
- Life at the South Pole Station: Everything You Want to Know
- Antarctica Northern Lights & Southern Lights Guide 2023
- Working in Antarctica: Supply Tech Jim Huston | Stories from the Ice
- Working in Antarctica: Blaster Garry Rex | Stories From the Ice
- How to Get Paid to Travel to Every Continent (Yes, Even Antarctica)
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You are such a good writer. I enjoy reading all of your blogs. Even tho I will prob nvr go to Antarctica or work on cruise ships, reading how informative you are, I can sit here and imagine myself on these travels. I kinda wish I knew of this years ago. Mayb I would have attempted to try these things. But I subscribed to your email and will continue to enjoy and imagine thru your writings. Idk, I’m also kinda proud of you for venturing out in the world at your age…. alone. I think its pretty cool.
Thank you for your kind words! It’s never too late to try something new or go somewhere you’ve always dreamed of :)
I traveled full time w a pack for 3 years, including time in the Arctic Circle, but working a season on the ice sent me on a packing list search just in case. So, thank you for publishing your Antarctica packing list. I’ve added a few things to my list!
I also have a dry eye issue. May I ask how many bottles of each of the drops you used?
Hi Valarie, that’s so cool! I hope you have an amazing time down in Antarctica.
I can’t remember exactly how many bottles of eye gel I brought down, but it was probably between 4-6. This was enough to last me the duration of my 4-month contract.
Hi there!
Thank you so very much for your informative post. Just what I needed! I would like to ask, how long are contracts on McMurdo, do they accept people for contract Mid-summer, dorm rooms aren’t co-ed right?, is there a Catholic priest on base, can you make telephone calls, and is this considered a military contract?
Thank you again!!!
-Contract lengths can vary from just a few weeks to a full season to a year+.
-At MCM, contracts are given nearly all year round, certainly all throughout summer.
-Dorm rooms are only co-ed if specified/requested, although the dorm building will always be mixed.
-There is a chaplain on base (usually nondenominational).
-Phone calls just require a calling card (unless calling to a Denver number).
-For most people at MCM, it is not a military contract. Only those sent down as part of their military assignment (flying the planes, working on the ice breaker, etc.) fall under military contracts
I googled ‘what to pack for mcmurdo’ on a whim thinking I would get some basic results, but was so pleasantly surprised by this genius list with helpful additional color. You’re a legend thanks!
Glad I could help! Best of luck on your contract.