About a month ago I started a list of gear I needed to bring, however, I left it until today to actually try packing everything in the small bags I have. Soon after starting I realized that I have significantly more gear than space available. Like a kids hockey team I start making cuts.
Rain Gear – you’re cut, it never rains in the arctic
Polar Fleece – you’re cut, its summer
Thermos – you’re cut, I’ll drink right from pot
Either this works out or it I may be finding myself wet, cold and thirsty.
With the bike ready to go, I decided to fabricate some velcro straps for my Ortleib saddle bags. Not exactly the pre-trip hardcore wrenching I was expecting, but nonetheless a required piece of equipment. I also thought it may be a good idea to start acclimatising myself to the Arctic with a cold Yukon Gold. Suddenly I no longer worried about trivial articles I’m leaving behind.
Fabrication