Pre-trip Notes

Important
The health and visa requirements listed in these pages are specifically for U.S. citizens and are current as of April 2003. This could change, and it would be advisable to check with your local consulate before departure.

Passport
A valid passport is required for participation in this expedition. It must be valid for at least 6 months after you return home. If you do not have a passport, or if it is not valid for the correct length of time, you should apply for one as soon as possible. If you need a new passport, apply for it early.

Check to see that you have sufficient space for entry/exit stamps in your passport and secure additional pages if necessary. We suggest that you carry a photocopy of your passport's information page when you travel.

Visa Requirements
No visa is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Canada. Citizens of other countries should check with their nearest consulate for visa requirements.

Health Information
No vaccinations are required for entry into Canada from any country at this time. For all health requirements and recommendations, please check with your personal physician and/or your local health center.

To fully enjoy this program, participants should be in good general health and be able to withstand extreme cold. Should you have any physical limitations please notify us in advance of your departure.

It is advisable to carry with you an up-to-date record of your allergies or chronic medical problems so that emergency treatment, if necessary, can be carried out without endangering your health. Your physician can prepare a summary record for you.

You should also carry with you the telephone number of your physician's 24-hour answering service. Any major health problem, disability or physical condition that may require emergency care must be brought to our attention prior to the trip departure.

The information above is a guideline and is subject to change without notice. Contact your physician for current and other information concerning the health precautions, immunizations and prescriptions based on your physical condition and medical history. Travelers should realize that when they are abroad they might be exposed to diseases that are more common than those in the country in which they reside. The risk varies greatly from country to country, according to the manner in which the traveler lives and the duration of stay.

ANY MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEM, DISABILITY, OR PHYSICAL CONDITION THAT MAY REQUIRE EMERGENCY CARE MUST BE BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION PRIOR TO THE TRIP DEPARTURE.

For more information, U.S. citizens may call the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) hotline in Atlanta at 888/232-3228 (toll-free) or 404-639-3311. If you have access to the internet, you may also go to the CDC's web site at http://www.cdc.gov and review their current information. Canadian citizens may call the Health Canada hotline at 613-957-2991, or may browse their web site at

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/

Air Arrangements
If you decide to make your own air arrangements independently, please reconfirm all international flights on which you will travel at least 72 hours before departure. Reservations may be automatically canceled failing this reconfirmation. It is imperative that DOE know your exact flight arrival and departure details so that we can set up your arrival/departure transfers between the airport and the hotel (see below).

Arrival/Departure Transfers
Upon your arrival in Ottawa, transfers will be available from the airport to our group hotel. At the end of the program, departure transfers will again be prearranged for anyone traveling with the group back to the airport.

Baggage
As we will be using a small aircraft between Resolute and Ice Station Beechey, please limit your baggage to either one large, or two small soft-sided bags per person, for a maximum of 40 pounds. Please ensure that your luggage is clearly identified. Tags will be provided with your final information and ticket package.

PLEASE Note: If you have excess baggage, you will be forced to leave it behind. When departing your home city, we strongly recommend you check your baggage only as far as the airport of international departure, pick up your baggage, and re-check to your final destination. This will reduce the possibility of losing your luggage, but may require a slightly longer connection time.

It is very important that every member of the expedition adhere to the packing guidelines as just one member of the group with excess baggage can delay the entire field trip and will be required to leave items behind.

Climate
The Arctic has a cold, dry, windy climate, and even though it is spring and there is almost 24-hour daylight, the temperature will drop below freezing. Daytime temperatures at Ice Station Beechey could range from -35° to 32° Fahrenheit. The wind chill can make it quite a bit colder than this on any given day a taxi service and purchases.

Currency / GST (General Sales Tax)
The Canadian dollar is the standard currency. A GST (General Sales Tax) may be assessed on items such as a taxi service and purchases.

Departure Tax
All taxes, including departure taxes, will be will be your own responsibility.

Gratuities
All gratuities for hotels, meals, baggage handling and sightseeing, as well as for local naturalist guides and drivers are not included in the cost of your expedition. All gratuities for extra hotel nights spent outside of group arrangements will be your own responsibility.

Immigration and Customs Information
The U.S. Customs Service regulations governing the declaration of purchases made by U.S. citizens abroad state that each person is permitted to import goods valued up to $400 free of duty, subject to the limitations on liquors, cigarettes and cigars. Not more than one liter of liquor, 200 cigarettes (one carton) and 50 cigars may be included in your exemption.

All travelers will complete the front side of the form distributed on your return flight, indicating the total value of goods acquired. Purchases over $1400 must be itemized in writing on the customs form and will be subject to duty at the legally established rate for the article involved. These rules mean that the U.S. citizen should be prepared to make an accurate oral declaration of items acquired up to $1400 in total value.

It is recommended that each traveler keep receipts and an account of items as required. Before arriving at the point of entry, total the costs and convert the total to U.S. dollar value for presentation to U.S. Customs officials on their request. It is a good idea to keep major purchases in one part of your luggage to speed inspection if required.

Clothing and Packing Information
The following contains helpful information for you as you begin to prepare for your expedition to the High Arctic region.

Please take the time to read these suggestions thoroughly so that you may be fully prepared for Arctic weather. The following is extracted from an article entitled "Keeping Warm and Dry in Winter Weather" by Jane E. Brody printed in the New York Times:

Humans evolved as a semi-tropical animal. We are comfortable unclothed in calm, dry air at a temperature of 85°Fahrenheit (29° Celsius). Therefore, in winter we must take precautions to prevent excessive exposure to cold and extra steps to help the body conserve its own body heat.

Those who complain, "it's not the cold, it's the wind" are right. Wind removes the layer of cold air your body has heated around you to keep itself warm. A mere 4 m.p.h. wind can carry away eight times more body heat than still air. The so-called wind-chill factor measures the increase in cooling power of moving air, whether it is wind that is blowing, or you who are moving rapidly and, in effect, creating a wind against yourself.

Wetness also increases the loss of body heat. Air is a very poor conductor of heat, but water is an excellent one. If our skin or clothing gets wet, your body will lose heat much more rapidly. Even at 50° Fahrenheit (10° Celsius), you can suffer ill effects of cold if you are wet.

Keeping Warm
The following tips should help you to be comfortable and healthfully warm in cold weather.

• Avoid overdressing to reduce perspiration.
• In wet weather, wear a water repellent outer shell that will keep you dry on the outside and still "breathe" enough so that moisture from your body can escape.
• Dress in layers. Air is a very good insulator. It is better to trap air in several layers of light, loose clothing than in one or two heavy layers. Avoid tight clothing, since it leaves no room for trapped air.
• Wool, silk, and synthetic fabrics are much more effective in trapping air than cotton. When damp or wet, polyester down is a better insulator than goose or duck down.
• Body heat is most likely to be lost from hands and feet. Keep them warm and dry.
• Warm mittens or gloves are essential (mittens are better than gloves).
• It is also a good idea to have a fastener, which will keep the gloves/mittens on your person. Clips on the mittens/gloves, which easily attach/detach to the jacket or a tether line that runs from glove to glove works well.
• For feet, wool socks are a must.

If all the rest of your body is covered, as much as 90% of the heat you lose can come from your head. Be sure to wear a cap or wool hat.

Please be assured that unless you wish to, you do not have to buy a full set of expensive, technical equipment for this trip to the Arctic. You may find that you already have most of what you require in your wardrobe - thick sweaters, hats and scarves, thermal underwear (if you have been skiing in the past) and warm mittens.

Expedition Clothing

• Parka - An outer shell of water repellent/breathable material with an inner removable liner of Thinsulate, down or polar fleece will afford you the greatest flexibility of adjusting to different conditions. A detachable hood is a plus and you will want to consider a length which extends below your waist. Again, using the layering theory, your outermost shell should be large enough to allow for several layers underneath.
• Warm pants - Preferably woolen. Ski pants are equally suitable.
• Outer Insulated pants - Outer insulated pants will keep you warm.
• Boots - Warm, insulated boots are a necessity. No steel-toed boots.
• Waterproof jacket and pants - You can find these in stores that carry foul-weather clothing for sailors and fishermen, and in those that specialize in outdoor sports clothing such as L.L. Bean, Eddie Bauer, and R.E.I. The jacket should be lightweight and large enough to wear over a large sweater, and the pants should be large enough to pull over regular pants. They should also be suitable as a windproof outer layer.
• Long underwear - Silk and polypropylene are highly recommended for extra warmth. The "trim fit" add warmth and comfort without adding bulk.
• Woolen sweaters - Bring 2-3 sweaters of differing weights. We also recommend silk turtlenecks.
• Mittens and gloves - Warm mittens or gloves are essential. We suggest you purchase a pair of lightweight thermal gloves to wear under your mittens. Thus, if you need more flexibility when using your camera, your hands will still be protected. You may want to consider a pair of waterproof overmitts.
• Woolen cap - A warm cap that can protect your ears.
• Woolen scarf or neck gaiter - To protect your face from the wind.
• Warm Socks - Make sure you have an ample supply of warm socks. Again, silk or polypropylene can be worn as liners and wool for the heavier outer layer. Cotton socks are not recommended.

Submersible Clothing
It is recommended that you dress in comfortable, loose fitting clothes (tight jeans, for instance, are not recommended). You also will need a clothes system that allows you to add or subtract layers to adjust to temperature variations. Instructions on what to wear will be given during your pre-dive preparation lecture. We suggest you bring the following:

• Two pair of warm socks
• Warm water-resistant booties
• Light thermal full-length underwear
• A warm comfortable pair of sweat or fleece pants
• A thick warm sweater, pullover or fleece jacket
• A woolen cap
• A light pair of gloves

In addition, we recommend that you bring at least: a camera and/or compact video camera, tissue, a notebook and pen to record your observations, and a small tape recorder to record your impressions.

Be aware that the following items are not allowed on the submersibles: anything made from a petroleum base (lip sticks, Chap sticks, Vaseline, some lubricants, etc.), matches, lighters or other combustible materials. Please note that there is absolutely no smoking in the submersibles.

Other Useful Items to Pack
For a complete checklist of what to bring on this expedition, please refer to our Packing Checklist, found in the following section.

• Small backpack made of waterproof nylon for carrying a camera and other gear, thereby leaving hands free.
• Plastic Ziploc bags as an added protection for camera, film, and other valuables.
• Skin lotions and lip balm for protection from sun and windburn.
• Sunglasses or snow goggles for protection against the sun's glare.
• A spare set of prescription eyeglasses. If you wear contact lenses, you should also bring your eyeglasses for comfort during high winds, etc.

If you take prescribed medication, bring an adequate supply for the trip, as it will be impossible to refill prescriptions. Also, bring along a signed and dated letter from your physician stating any health problems and dosage of medication to provide information to medical authorities in case of emergency.

Any major health problem, disability, or physical condition that may require emergency care must be brought to our attention prior to the trip departure.

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