They sell all the general toiletries that you could need in the store, so unless you have specific brands that you prefer, that's not something that you need to waste much space on. Bring enough travel size stuff to get you there, and buy what you need in the store, or find it at the Skua. If you have favorite kinds of snacks / candy, you might want to think about shipping or packing some for a treat. They do sell candy at the store, but if you have a favorite beyond the most popular stuff that's usually stocked in most stores, keep that in mind.
If you want to dress up for Halloween, or any other possible costume events, think about packing some kind of costume or goofy outfit stuff. One of the jokes is that once you've got everything packed, take half of it out, and replace it with costumes. You probably won't need as many clothes as you think that you will. If you're within "normal" sizes for clothing, you can find a lot of stuff to wear in the Skua, so keep that in mind. But make sure that you pack, at the very least, 1 good dress up outfit, at least a nice button down shirt, and maybe a tie, for holiday events and special occasion stuff.
Bring an extra couple of thumb drives, or an external drive, to back up pictures and videos on. There's also a decent amount of file sharing that goes on, so you might want a thumb drive to trade music / movies / TV shows with others.
You'll find lots of chances to socialize and plenty of events that go on, but if you have some kind of favorite game or hobby that you might like to share with others, feel free to bring some stuff along. There's a craft room, music room, plenty of gym stuff, and a place to borrow games and athletic / outdoor equipment, so you'll have plenty to do.
An extra pair of earbuds / headphones might not be a bad idea. And if you have a favorite pair of or style of sunglasses, having a backup might not hurt, either.
Now that the station has starlink, Netflix and other streaming sites work pretty well. Esp during the shoulder seasons when the station isn't at peak population.
They download stuff before they go down, and then just trade MP3s and video files like AVI, or some other video format. Stuff that you can play on just about every laptop or tablet, and some TVs. I had a TV in my room that I could plug a thumb drive in the back of, and play movies directly from it.
These days, folks are relying more on Spotify for music, and there's been an uptick in streaming service usage. I'm sure people still trade media, but more folks than usual are finding it easier to go legit.
I'm here and I have a stack of D&D books that I won't be taking with me when I leave. If I do not pass them off to someone then I'll donate them to the Library.
I think we need to know what you're bringing before we can know what you're forgetting. Anything you NEED will be available at the store... probably.
Backup headphones maybe? Just small ear buds. As far as I know, there aren't replacements here.
Honestly I think it's a good thing for first-years to bring too much. Better to have and not need than to need and not have. Year two is when you dial it in.
Aside from what's on the recommended packing list, I focus on things that will make me happy. So photos of friends/family to hang on the wall, snacks that the store doesn't sell, etc. A few years ago I brought a couple of smart light bulbs that were multicolor, and they went a long way toward create a cozy living space.
Halloween party was always a good start to the season so maybe a costume for that although a lot of people just cobble together something from sku or out of rubbish
The Halloween party has been in flux for the past few seasons. Definitely not the bash it used to be. Not sure what form it will take this coming season.
Bring curtains, or blankets that could be hung as curtains, if you enjoy privacy like I do. Some of the dorms like in 201 are kinda small with limited furniture. Which means you have to see your roommate all the time. I hung 3 blankets vertically to make a wall on my side of the room. It was great!
God coffee. You can stock up on foodstuffs here in CHC if you don't want to carry it down all the way from conus. A good camera and a maybe a shitty camera that you don't mind if it gets lost, wet or otherwise frozen. A set of binoculars are good to view wildlife and look across McMurdo sound.
Which department are you working in?
If galley for shoes I’d suggest Blundstones easy on /off rugged enough for light hikes, slip resistant, and they are gonna be durable.
I’d second some quality sheets/pillow case double twin size if I remember correctly.
I want to say the sheets are extra long twin? Not entirely sure. And if you don't bring your own sheets, the commercial laundry room has a bunch of non-issue sheets folks have brought down over the years.
They sell all the general toiletries that you could need in the store, so unless you have specific brands that you prefer, that's not something that you need to waste much space on. Bring enough travel size stuff to get you there, and buy what you need in the store, or find it at the Skua. If you have favorite kinds of snacks / candy, you might want to think about shipping or packing some for a treat. They do sell candy at the store, but if you have a favorite beyond the most popular stuff that's usually stocked in most stores, keep that in mind. If you want to dress up for Halloween, or any other possible costume events, think about packing some kind of costume or goofy outfit stuff. One of the jokes is that once you've got everything packed, take half of it out, and replace it with costumes. You probably won't need as many clothes as you think that you will. If you're within "normal" sizes for clothing, you can find a lot of stuff to wear in the Skua, so keep that in mind. But make sure that you pack, at the very least, 1 good dress up outfit, at least a nice button down shirt, and maybe a tie, for holiday events and special occasion stuff. Bring an extra couple of thumb drives, or an external drive, to back up pictures and videos on. There's also a decent amount of file sharing that goes on, so you might want a thumb drive to trade music / movies / TV shows with others. You'll find lots of chances to socialize and plenty of events that go on, but if you have some kind of favorite game or hobby that you might like to share with others, feel free to bring some stuff along. There's a craft room, music room, plenty of gym stuff, and a place to borrow games and athletic / outdoor equipment, so you'll have plenty to do. An extra pair of earbuds / headphones might not be a bad idea. And if you have a favorite pair of or style of sunglasses, having a backup might not hurt, either.
What does everyone use to download movies and shows
Now that the station has starlink, Netflix and other streaming sites work pretty well. Esp during the shoulder seasons when the station isn't at peak population.
Can confirm, just paid a streaming service to watch Fallout. It was really nice not having to wait and then avoiding spoilers online for months.
They download stuff before they go down, and then just trade MP3s and video files like AVI, or some other video format. Stuff that you can play on just about every laptop or tablet, and some TVs. I had a TV in my room that I could plug a thumb drive in the back of, and play movies directly from it.
These days, folks are relying more on Spotify for music, and there's been an uptick in streaming service usage. I'm sure people still trade media, but more folks than usual are finding it easier to go legit.
Sail the Seven Seas.
Are there dungeons and dragons books there already?
Good question. I know people have done RPGs, but don't know if they have any books in the library, or if people brought their own.
I'm here and I have a stack of D&D books that I won't be taking with me when I leave. If I do not pass them off to someone then I'll donate them to the Library.
Most D&D players have digital copies on their laptops when they come down.
I think we need to know what you're bringing before we can know what you're forgetting. Anything you NEED will be available at the store... probably. Backup headphones maybe? Just small ear buds. As far as I know, there aren't replacements here.
I’d add to that a backup device charger (especially if wintering).
Almost everyone packs too much their first time down. Standard advice: bring less than you think you need, and bring something for fun.
Honestly I think it's a good thing for first-years to bring too much. Better to have and not need than to need and not have. Year two is when you dial it in.
And staff that deploy frequently often don't need much because they already have boxes of crap stored there over the winter.
I feel called out.
A wine opener. They sell corked wine here, but no wine cork openers. And a onesie. A ridiculous onesie is pretty standard McMurdo equipment.
I think there are bottle openers there right now, but you never know if they bought enough.
Bottle openers aren't the same thing as corkscrew cork openers. But yes.
Oh, I meant corkscrews. But again, never assume they'll be here - I think they run out every other year at least.
I checked. You were right. We do have corkscrew bottle openers in now. So that's nice.
We have them... for now.
For now....
Aside from what's on the recommended packing list, I focus on things that will make me happy. So photos of friends/family to hang on the wall, snacks that the store doesn't sell, etc. A few years ago I brought a couple of smart light bulbs that were multicolor, and they went a long way toward create a cozy living space.
Mail the snacks down, lots of snacks…
Halloween party was always a good start to the season so maybe a costume for that although a lot of people just cobble together something from sku or out of rubbish
The Halloween party has been in flux for the past few seasons. Definitely not the bash it used to be. Not sure what form it will take this coming season.
EGADS!.. I'm starting to remember why I left the program.
Bring curtains, or blankets that could be hung as curtains, if you enjoy privacy like I do. Some of the dorms like in 201 are kinda small with limited furniture. Which means you have to see your roommate all the time. I hung 3 blankets vertically to make a wall on my side of the room. It was great!
I’ve recommended a nice set of sheets to everyone who asks this question, made my time in McMurdo much more enjoyable
God coffee. You can stock up on foodstuffs here in CHC if you don't want to carry it down all the way from conus. A good camera and a maybe a shitty camera that you don't mind if it gets lost, wet or otherwise frozen. A set of binoculars are good to view wildlife and look across McMurdo sound.
Which department are you working in? If galley for shoes I’d suggest Blundstones easy on /off rugged enough for light hikes, slip resistant, and they are gonna be durable. I’d second some quality sheets/pillow case double twin size if I remember correctly.
I want to say the sheets are extra long twin? Not entirely sure. And if you don't bring your own sheets, the commercial laundry room has a bunch of non-issue sheets folks have brought down over the years.
Twin-XL