Planning

Excursions In the Tour

Planning a 4-week multi-country trip is no easy feat. Arranging visas to Russia and China, as well as buying tickets to trains in foreign languages, was daunting. So, for the first time ever, I signed up for a tour group. Hotels, train tickets, even visas are included. It is a tour for ‘independent’ travelers, so all of the day-time excursions end by 4 p.m., leaving ample evening time to explore solo. There is one small ‘problem’: no one else signed up for this group tour. So it looks like it’ll be just me and the tour guide.  

Extra excursions

Since evenings after 4 p.m. are free, and it will be bone-chillingly cold, and I may be in quite a bit of hip pain, I decided to plan as many things as possible that don’t involve me hiking in the snow all evening. I planned acrobats, dinners, dances, even circus tickets. My usual approach of exploring on foot is a bad idea on this trip, so I’m trying to see as much as possible through planned excursions. I’ve spent months scouring Viator and random Russian travel sites for all kinds of experiences. I can’t wait to share all of them! 

Packing

Base Layer

I began my packing by researching what people wear when camping in Antarctica. I started with the necessities: a wicking base-layer, wool socks, warm boots, and hat, gloves, scarf. I shopped the most current REI technology for a heavy weight base layer, and found a synthetic set with little metallic dots inside, meant to reflect body heat back onto the wearer. I got rabbit fur lined gloves, and a scarf made of rabbit fur. Fur is supposed to be good for catching snow flakes and keeping them out of your face.

Middle layers

 For the middle layers, layers meant to trap air, take up space, keep a layer of warmth near my skin, I picked a couple of sweaters, cashmere and lycra. Cotton doesn’t wick, and can freeze water to your skin if you sweat on it, so only synthetic and wool fabrics are recommended. For bottoms, I packed some fleece-lined tights and some sweater tights, with a couple of skirts. My hope is that these layers, along with a warm coat, will be sufficient. I also picked out a cute track suit for wearing on the train, one formal dress for ballets, and a swimsuit, though optional, for the sauna. 

Coats

 I learned from my last trip that, when traveling in the cold, it doesn’t matter what other clothes you bring: all the photos will be of your coat. So this was my one splurge item. I found a fancy full length red wool coat on Etsy and decided that it would be the perfect coat for photos in the snow. Striking, red with black trim, the perfect statement piece. I also grabbed a black, nondescript puffer coat. I can blend in. I can wear it under the red one, if it’s cold enough. And it compacts well in the vacuum bags. 

Emergency layers

Having followed all of the guides, I am hoping this is enough. But if not, I have a set of layers to go over the others. I snagged a pair of snow-ski pants, waterproof and fleece-lined, with some ski gloves (in red to match the coat). I have gaiters, both for my neck and for my boots. I have hidden pockets and a money belt for hiding cash and ID. I bought YakTrax for my boots. All of these things I hope not to need, but I am certain I will be happy to have them if they are necessary

Extras

I have a red bag that has been on every major trip since Thailand in 2007, that is now a bit ragged, and I stitched 10 years of wear back together for one more adventure. I equipped myself with local California chocolates and American cigarettes as friend-makers for the train. I stocked hot-hands hand warmers, local currency, and lots of Russian language learning materials. Joe packed my tech kit, with a phone on an international plan, laptop, camera, SD cards rated for cold temperatures, and as many adapters and chargers and batteries as I am likely to need. He also got me the awesome new babelfish headphones, which I am sure will come in handy.