Two pairs of warm socks, Wellington boots, woolen long johns (women wear them too if necessary), warm trousers and absolutely something waterproof on top, a woolen long-sleeved T-shirt, a fleece, a warm sweatshirt, and on top of all that a raincoat, something around my neck, a hat, two pairs of gloves and I’m ready. I look in the mirror and I don’t really know why, but then I remembered a certain quote. Coco Chanel advised women “before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take off one thing.” I look, think, analyze, wonder, but it’s snowing outside, I can’t take anything off. Such an outfit is an absolute minimum in Antarctica. I glance once more at the dancing white snowflakes. Just in case, I pack a down jacket in my backpack. 

Although the Antarctic Peninsula has a milder climate than the interior of the polar continent, you never know. It’s better to be prepared for wind, frost, or other polar surprises. Antarctica is still the windiest place on Earth, and wind changes everything, intensifies the feeling of cold, and can penetrate deep into our bodies. Other weather records also belong to Antarctica, such as the lowest recorded temperature. -89.2°C is very cold, I don’t even know if I can imagine how cold it is. It’s scary to think that it could be even colder in a place that man has never reached, and there are quite a few such places in Antarctica. The thought alone gives me the shivers and I automatically check if I have a hat on.