Packing Problems...

The Expedition sent a detailed packing guide, so you would think that would simplify the decision-making process. Most is what you'd expect--layers, wool, Gore-Tex.  Extra (wool!!!) socks, since your feet are "likely to get wet" during shore landings from the Zodiacs. But there are still challenges!

This photo is from another website, but it's pretty close except for the duplicates.

Here's our list:

A complimentary parka will be provided on board 

One pair of fully waterproof knee-high rubber boots with sturdy, high-traction soles (We've rented these to be delivered to ship)

A waterproof rain jacket 

Waterproof pants

1 or 2 pairs of waterproof ski mittens or gloves, with liners so you can remove the gloves to take photos. Maybe an extra pair in case one gets wet.

Wool ski cap and scarf

Comfortable walking shoes with rubber soles for use both on board the ship and on walks into town.

A good pair of hiking boots

One full set of thermal or silk underwear (I have both)

3 or 4 pairs of warm, sturdy, tall wool socks and an equal number of thin socks to wear underneath for extra insulation. (Make sure to bring several pairs of socks as your feet are likely to get wet.)

2 or 3 pairs of warm, casual trousers to wear under your waterproof pants.  Wool and/or fleece recommended.

An assortment of fleeces, sweaters, and other layered clothing.

Mosquito head net

And then a bunch of non-clothing items, like medications, toiletries, sunblock, converters, cameras (with plenty of film/memory cards, chargers, batteries), binoculars, walking sticks (collapsible), sunglasses, backpack....  All of it to go into one suitcase (wool is bulky!) and a backpack.

Funny--they didn't mention knitting or crochet projects and tools!

I'm good on most of that, but feeling a bit stuck on the "2 or 3 pairs of warm, casual trousers". I own jeans.  I have one pair of wool whipcord pants and a couple pairs of wool bottoms that are a bit looser than leggings, but not really something I want to wear around on the ship without a tunic or long shirt over the top.

Dress code is casual--I don't NEED to change for dinner or for hanging around on the ship, but depending on how strenuous the day's activities have been, I might want to.  And by the way, some people like to dress up for the final dinner, so "you might want something slightly dressier." 😒

That seems like a LOT of wool if the daily temps are supposed to be 32-55F.  And we have 9 days on Iceland, where yesterday it was 61F and likely to hit 65F on Monday. So that adds a couple of t-shirts. My hiking pants that I'm taking are good up to 75, so that's OK.

I have a friend who is in Greenland AT THIS VERY MOMENT! I'm consulting with her about the clothing, as she says she overpacked for this part of her trip.  It's not as cold as she thought it would be, unless she's standing on the front of the ship in the wind.

And just when you think you've got everything in....you notice your camera hanging on the back of the kitchen chair! So the knitting moves out of the backpack and into the suitcase to make room for the camera (wool may be heavy, but it's also squishy!)

At this point, my suitcase is 32 pounds (out of 44 allowed), and my backpack is 11 (without my laptop). Phone, tablet, and "plane knitting" go in my "personal item" shoulder bag. Lars has 30 pounds +11 for the backpack.  So I think we're good to go!