Kenny, from South Park

Unlike my many other travels around the world, this excursion requires an entirely new mindset when it comes to packing the necessary, appropriate clothing.  As I've researched this trip, I realized that I was unprepared for some of the conditions I'll have to face. 

Since the seasons are reversed hemispherically, I will be technically visiting Antarctica during its budding summer and, from what I can gather, I should expect temperatures in the upper 20s or low 30s Fahrenheit.  Ok, no problem! I am a native of Washington State and am entirely used to cold weather, snow and ice, and periodic Arctic conditions.  Actually, I thrive on frigid temperatures and have always amazed other people who occasionally witness me walking around in my bare feet in 6 inches of snow oblivious and unfazed by the cold.  I have been naturally warm-blooded all my life. 

My closet is stocked with the standard assortment of heavy coats, warm sweaters, gloves, a scarf or two and a few pair of thick, wool socks for those glorious, long walks in January after a long, deep snowfall to appreciate the winter beauty and experience the all-white tableau around me.  But these garments only provide temporary warmth.  Where I'm going requires PERMANENT warmth! I will be out in the environment for long periods of time - visiting penguin colonies, taking short (and bound-to-be thrilling!) jaunts in the cruise ship's small fleet of small Zodiak boats carrying 10 passengers (think "Whale Wars" on The Animal Planet if you've ever seen it), kayaking through the icebergs and hiking on the Antarctic Peninsula. Since this expedition became a reality, I suddenly realized that my current wardrobe was sorely insufficient!

So with the aid of the travel company who is hosting my cruise, information from my extraordinary, wonderful travel agent, Kathy, Google, eBay, Amazon and driven by my own curiosity and instinct for survival, I am now the proud owner of some new, all-day icebox attire! Gor Tex, polypropylene and Omni-Tech are the latest words added to my extensive travel vocabulary.  I'm now dressed for winter success!  My suitcase will look entirely different this time for sure.

The crown jewel in my new travel gear is an incredible, thick, uber-warm, authentic, sub-zero parka with faux-fur trim that frames my face and reminds me of the days of my Northwest childhood when my dear, dutiful mother would bundle me up like an Eskimo to play in the snow.  When I first put it on and looked in the mirror, I laughed out loud.  "I'm Kenny, from (the MTV hit) South Park!", I thought to myself.

Other items that have been ordered (and thankfully have arrived on time) are a pair of amazing, waterproof and windproof snow pants that are guaranteed to keep me dry and warm all day long, as well as some nifty, high-tech-fabric glove liners that will allow my fingers the mobility and dexterity needed for my photography.  Finally, I purchased a set of advanced technology long johns, which have become my new best, toasty friends.  All the necessary Antarctic duds are checked off my list.

The key, they say, is layering - with an outer shell that blocks the cold and wetness.  I'm set now, and with one week to go before I fly away, I am thankful to know that I've got all my clothing ducks (or should I say penguins?) in a row.

ANTARCTICA: BRING IT ON!!!

"Why in the world would you want to go to Antarctica!?"

This is the most common question I hear when I inform someone of my upcoming expedition to the Ice Continent.  People are often incredulous that Antarctica has become my next (and imminent) destination. "That's too way cold for me!" or "Are you crazy?!" seem to be the standard responses that pop up more frequently than I expect.  However, those who truly know me and have followed my lifelong, passionate wanderlust, beginning in early childhood, to travel to all seven of the Earth's continents, knowingly smile. They understand my need to make this rare and wild adventure to the bottom of the globe.

Antarctica will be my sixth continent, with Australia to follow in 2013.  As my dream has unfolded over the years, I've always sensed this expedition would be the most challenging and extreme one of all.  Europe and Northern Africa (1974) was the easiest and most logical beginning for me as a young college student, providing me with my first, exhilarating exposure to life outside North America.  That trip opened my eyes to how totally different life is lived outside my own back yard.  The journey to the Middle East - Greece, Egypt and Israel (1984) - added additional flavor to my experience as well as more international immigration stamps to my ever-growing collection of passports.  In 1987, I visited Hong Kong and China for 3 weeks, followed by India and Nepal (1990), Ireland, as photo-journalist for the City of Everett (1992) and my most recent, epic, whirlwind adventure to South America in the summer of 2010.  To date, I have seen 29 countries around the globe in all with Argentina soon to be the 30th.  Ironically, since Antarctica is not a country per se, there will be no stamp added to my current passport to join the others!

In a sense, there has always been a certain amount of mystery and dread associated with taking this journey toward the South Pole.  Of all my destinations, this will be the longest distance from home that I've travelled - over 8,200 miles to the very end of the Earth.  The flight itself from Seattle to Ushuaia, Argentina will take an agonizing and grueling 20+ hours.  With other trips I've taken, there has always a thousand landmarks, famous museums, historical sites, rich culture and architecture to dream of and research.  But with this tour, there will be little of anything but icebergs, penguins, endless snow, blue whales, giant albatross and seals.  I've wondered to myself, "Will a trip like this be fulfilling?" Only time will tell.  But the unique nature of this particular junket thrills me because it proves to be unlike anything I have ever done, and - most importantly -without this trip, my bucket list will not be complete.  I absolutely HAVE to go!

It will be an extraordinary experience that no one I have ever met has ever had, so in many ways the trek to Antarctica represents the real essence of my "world explorer" soul inspired by the likes of Sir Francis Drake and Magellan.  I will embark into the wildest, most unexplored, pristine corner of the planet under some of the most dangerous and extreme conditions possible.

Join me as I fly away once again to Antarctica.  Follow me as I cross the Equator for my second time to Tierra Del Fuego, past the dreaded and unpredictable Cape Horn and across the Drake Passage on the M/S Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands!  Come float on an iceberg with me!