Cape Town Pelagics - Birding on SubAntarctic Islands: Prince Edward and the Pack Ice

It's always cold and windy at sea. South of the Subtropical Front, the air temperature will be 0-5 C. It is unlikely to get much below freezing, but wind chill makes it distinctly cold, especially if you're going to sit/stand on deck for hours on end. We suggest a multi-layered approach to keeping warm - this allows versatility. Remember that it can be quite balmy in the Agulhas Current, so you might want to pack some shorts (also handy if you plan to visit the ship's gym).

For the really cold days, we recommend getting some thermal undies (long sleeved vests and leggings) as a base layer. Because we are not going to be terribly active, cotton-based thermals are fine, but you might want to splurge on polypropylene if you plan to use them again in a more active environment. Over your undies you can wear a variety of warm shirts and good jumpers or other insulating layers, and then top it off with a wind-resistant outer shell jacket. Insulation for the legs is perhaps less critical, so you can get by with cords or jeans over your long johns. If it's really cold, a wind-proof shell would also help. More important is keeping the extremities warm. A warm hat, gloves and scarf are essential, and bring spares in case your first set gets wet. Wear sensible shoes with good grip so you don't slip on the deck. Shoes that are reasonably water-proof are preferred, but if you bring rubber boots, you cannot wear them inside the ship because they mark the tile floors. Thick socks are essential for when the weather is cold. It will rain at some stage during the trip, so waterproofs are necessary if you don't want to risk missing some birds, although you can shelter on the lower, covered poop deck, lurk inside the hanger or perhaps even watch from the bridge.

Birders should already have most of the clothing they need in their wardrobes. But if you're short of a few items, we have put together a list of recommended clothing available from Cape Storm, a top-quality adventure clothing company. The list and prices are given below. Cape Storm have offered trip participants a 10 % discount on these prices. The items / colours and product info may be viewed online at www.capestorm.co.za.

Should you wish to order some of the clothing, we have a downloadable order form. Please complete the form and fax it to our offices (+27 21 785 7680). We will ensure that the clothing is available for you on the day of departure, when you will be able to check that it is what you want, fits properly, and make the final decision to purchase. On ordering, you will be issued with a letter confirming that you qualify for the participant's discount. Please ensure that you have this letter with you when collecting your purchases. You can also go to Cape Storm direct, but please ensure that you have a letter confirming that you are part of the trip to get the 10% discount.