Gear quota achieved

After a month of wondering whether or not we were going to be issued airline tickets before the two-week-prior deadline, Kathy and I were contacted by Raytheon this week. We are confirmed on our flights to and from Columbus to Christchurch. Our domestic flights take us different routes to the west coast, but we have the same Pacific flight from LA to Auckland, and the same Auckland to Christchurch flight.

I finally got the last of my gear in today. The past month or so has been all about writing my NSF proposals and getting together cold weather clothing so I don't freeze to death on the ice. L.L.Bean is my budget outfitter of choice -- my 100-weight fleece pullover and pants, and 200-weight jacket are all from there for really reasonable prices. Long underwear was the real bank-breaker. Midweight Smartwool, Patagonia, and Icebreaker tops and bottoms do not come cheap, but it's worth it because it's so comfortable. And comfort counts in those conditions.

I have to take two pairs of boots for two different conditions. While both are fully waterproof, the big daddy ones on the left are insulated and crampon compatible. They will keep me stable while I'm collecting samples on the glaciers. The smaller ones on the right are my hikers for running around the valleys and on the lakes. They are lightweight and have great support for long hikes.

I leave in two weeks!