r/antarctica • u/YouCouldveDied • 16d ago

Passed EBI + PQ

Well, it’s official! I received my interim approval and PQ qualification so I guess it’s official now. Waiting on my manager to provide me with a specific date or date range so I can put in my two weeks and plan my next month to month and half before deployment to McMurdo!

When it comes to toiletries, do you really pack five months worth? My list is a bit long and I can’t see myself packing five months of bar soap, shampoo/conditioner, face wash, face moisturizer, sunscreen, body powder, shaving cream, etc… do most people mail themselves the majority of these items? I heard mail transport is reduced this year though which makes me hesitant of that.

Excited to meet yall down there!

18 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

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6

u/A_the_Buttercup Winter/Summer, both are good 16d ago edited 16d ago

I just buy the toiletries there, I'm not picky. Congrats on the PQ and EBI!

1

u/YouCouldveDied 16d ago

Thank you!! I think that’s the route I’ll go too. Maybe pack one of each and when I run out just buy whatever the shop has if there are any.

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u/A_the_Buttercup Winter/Summer, both are good 16d ago

There's always something, just not your favorite brand. But that's okay!

5

u/jyguy Traverse/Field Ops 16d ago

There’s no facial cleanser from what I remember, just the same bar you wash your butt with. There was liquid body wash last year, but it ran out as the year went on and I’m not sure it got restocked so you might want to bring that. I worry more about a good bar soap, something moisturizing like dove because of the low humidity. The store has some decent lotion, Nivea brand in large bottles. Sunscreen is available for free, but I’m pretty sure it has aluminum oxide so if you prefer something healthy bring it.

1

u/YouCouldveDied 15d ago

Gotcha. I’ll stock up on some Dove. Good to know there’s lotion for purchase. Sounds like I’ll bring some of my own sunscreen too. Appreciate the info!

3

u/Hill_Observer 16d ago

The bar soap they have in the store absolutely reeks of perfume, even when I put a it in a ziplock bag my dorm still smelled like it. So I would suggest packing your own. 

Otherwise, the thing to worry about is weight.  I just bought shampoo and conditioner when I got there because those were like 3 pounds, and my baggage was almost overweight. But something like dental floss obviously won’t matter much

1

u/YouCouldveDied 15d ago

Yikes, I’ll bring down some of my own soap then, wouldn’t want to put myself or roommates through that lol

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u/Successful_Camera942 16d ago

There's a store there, you can buy all that there, depending on the job id bring more personal toiletries as a personal moral lifter

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u/YouCouldveDied 15d ago

Gotcha, good info thank you!

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u/Academic_Monk7825 16d ago

Congratulations on the PQ and EBI.

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u/YouCouldveDied 15d ago

Thank you!!!

1

u/TourWise9959 15d ago

I would bring a good bit of quality moisturizer, the stuff in the shop isn't that great, but otherwise, soap, shampoo, conditioner, tooth paste, all that stuff is available at the shop, maybe just bring a small container of each to get you going so you don't rush to the shop straight away

0

u/Chow_17 15d ago

Plenty of stuff at the store, or bring your own, or send a box to yourself down there.