What to Bring?

OK Girls - Listen UP! What you bring you will probably end up carrying on your back, along with 20 pounds of rocks. So pack light, but bring the necessities (light ones preferably). We will be hiking up mountains (not cliff climbing, just vertical hiking). You will have to carry a tent, sleeping bag, UV light and battery, hammer and chisel, coats, food, etc - get the picture?

My backpack usually starts our at 10 kilos. On the way up I add a couple more kilos of rocks (which get tossed as I realize that they were only teasers), then coming down I usually have 30+kilos. But some people call me an animal too!

Clothing - The temperature averages in the 50’s to 60’s, but at night can get down to freezing (especially on top of the mountains). After three trips I have found that I always start out with a nice sheep lined winter jacket, a sweat shirt, a shirt, a T-shirt (layers) and end up wishing I could go topless. The physical activity warms you up quickly, and 60 degrees (F) is already pretty warm. But nighttime, layers are definitely in order.

First Aid - We’ve not yet had any injuries. But bring the common sense stuff, bandages etc. There is a hospital in Narsaq so any serious emergencies can easily be handled.

Food - Two well stocked grocery stores carry just about anything you need, but it’s all in Danish so be prepared to rely on pictures. If you have special dietary requirements contact me and I will make sure it is available there. (No kosher stuff, and Howie says you can’t find peanut butter!).

Camping Gear - There’s a whole page on this. Greenland is a land of changing weather and it is the arctic. Tents must be sturdy enough to take the occasional wind storm but light enough to carry, sleeping bags warm (w/ mattress), and bug netting serious.

Backpack - Don’t bring your kid’s school bag! You need a backpack for serious hiking. Remember you will be carrying batteries, hammers and chisels up the mountains, and pounds of rocks back down (along with the hammers). Make sure the backpack has all the supports, straps etc that make carrying easy.

Rock Hammers - A good crack hammer (not a puny geologist’s rock hammer), a good chisel (w/ plastic hand protector) and whatever else is your favorite tool. Often these get left behind so we have a pretty good collection, but don’t rely on us.

The only way to find glowrocks in the daytime....

UV Lights, batteries and UV tents - A GOOD UV light, one that won’t break, and is bright. Spare fuses, spare bulbs, spare cords, spare batteries. You’ll need a UV tent to climb under during the daytime for lighting up rocks. Some people have gone out and bought black BBQ grill covers. I personally prefer a big tarp of opaque landscaping material that I just spread out on the ground, weigh down with some rocks and I end up with a light but roomy viewing tent.

Electrical - 220v, 50hz, European plug style. Keep this in mind for your chargers (for the UV batteries). Since you’ll be camping, don’t worry about electric shavers. 

Mosquitoes - Big and hairy. Bring some serious bug spray (DEET). They sell hats with netting which help keep the mosquitos from flying in your mouth. But they really don’t bite - I’ve never been bitten! This year I’m going to try my own hat covered by netting that you see at the left. They only seem to bother at sunrise and before sunset. Higher up they’re not a problem at all (another advantage to camping on the mountain).

This is the top of Taseq - rought terrain, for in the valley, beautiful weather up here.... But you need good boots to walk on those rocks.

Hiking Shoes - Good ones! Broken in! Steel toes! You’re going to be climbing over rocks, up cliffs, up mountains, and hiking long distances. This is not an area to skimp in.

GMRS Radio (OR FRS) - We will have several of these handheld walkie talkies, but if you want your own for sure, bring one.

Medicine - No American medicine available (excedrine, nyquil, etc). Danish meds are good, but if you want good old American drugs, bring ‘em. And of course, make sure you have all the prescription medicine you need.

Reading material - Unless you intend to spend ALL your waking hours looking for rocks, and only stop to sleep (like me), bring something to read. No English reading material is available in town. Or bring knitting! Somebody bring a deck of cards - we can play poker for rocks!!!!!

If any of our experienced Tour Members have something
to add to this list email me, and I’ll put it on!