Edited by Rachel Duncan 4th Edition ISBN 0-907649-91-2 London ...

24 RGS-IBG Polar Expeditions Manual
As important as the warmth of the sleeping bag is the use of some form of mat or mats as
insulation from the cold ground. Two mats tend to be warmer than one and have the
advantage of in-built spare capacity if one is lost or damaged. Thermarest type mats are
particularly prone to puncture damage and it is a good idea to use one in combination with
a closed cell foam mat such as a Ridgerest or Karrimat.
3.4 Footwear
Choice of skis and boots is another common difficulty, not made any easier today by the
fantastic range available. For such an expensive set of kit, consider future use against their
primary function on the expedition. Are you crossing Greenland with a pulk, or doing
steep ski-touring, or just using skis occasionally to reach science sites? The combinations
leave much to think about: old fashioned ‘plank’ skis with bindings for ordinary walking
boots; touring skis with three pin/cable bindings for leather/ plastic boots or skimountaineering
skis with raisable heel plate for plastic mountaineering boots.
A good starting point for selection is the lowest anticipated temperature followed by the
duration and remoteness of your expedition. The obvious attractions of lightweight can be
difficult to weigh up against durability if undertaking a long committing journey.
For extreme low temperature expeditions such as North Pole expeditions the Weber
Malakhov mukluk made by Sorel has been a popular choice although at the time of writing
these were not available. Acton International also make similar mukluk boots. These are
bulky and incompatible with crampons but work well with cable bindings such as the
Rottefella NATO bindings. In recent years the weight savings made to alpine back-country
ski-mountaineering boots and bindings has been made by making one model of boot
specifically for a particular binding. These improvements are now available for Polar
expeditions. Both Millet and Meindl now make boots with a sole that is made for the
Salomon SNS or Rottefella NNN-BC manual bindings. These have been used successfully
on South Pole expeditions. Alfa boots make very warm expedition boots with soles for the
standard 75mm 3 pin Telemark binding.
Super gaiters such as Berghaus Y or Wild Country Tundra‘Yeti’ gaiters are good
for extra warmth and to help prevent snow entering your boots. See section on sledgehauling
in chapter 5 for discussion on sledges versus pulks, etc.
Whether to take waxless or waxable touring skis is another question of preference.
Choosing the right wax for the conditions is rather a black art and comes with practice. But
getting it right means efficient skiing rather than ‘walking’ on skis. Telescopic ski or
walking poles, though not necessarily as strong are far more flexible in use. Consider a
spare. Mountain supplies (Braemar), Scotland, is the UK’s biggest and most
knowledgeable ski supplier.
If you are going to be pulling a sled then skins will be essential to obtain enough
traction. Give consideration before you go to the durability of the skin attachment to the
‘ski. Skins may come in very useful but take care to keep snow and moisture from them so
they don’t lose their stickiness. Make sure the skins hook over the skis and both ends. Take
skin glue with you.
A leader is unlikely to receive plaudits if his team has to carry relatively heavy skis
only to find dry glaciers. Skis are generally preferred to snow shoes because they are more