Greenland's Wonders on a Hike

Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).

Passport

Passport must be valid (check the expiry date now).

From January 15, 2017, a child travelling abroad without being accompanied by one of their parents must present the following 3 documents:

1. Valid identity document for the minor: passport + possible visa depending on the requirements of the destination country (to be checked by consulting the country information sheets on the website diplomatie.gouv.fr)
2. Photocopy of the valid identity document of the signing parent: passport
3. Authorization form for leaving the territory signed by one of the parents holding parental authority.

Visa

No visa is required to go to Greenland.

Identity card

No

Health recommendations

The health requirements of each country change frequently; it is important and your responsibility to consult them up until the day of your departure on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the "Travel Advice" section.

ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.

1. A sleeping bag sheet
2. A personal first aid kit
3. A small toiletry bag with the bare essentials and, if possible, biodegradable products (wipes, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush)
4. Individual toilet paper
5. A lip balm
6. Sunscreen (face and lips)
7. A (tropical) mosquito repellent
8. A head mosquito net (important during mosquito season)
9. A water bottle of at least 1 liter
10. High-protection sunglasses
11. A specialty from your region to discover and share together

Optional:

1. Walking poles: They are invaluable for saving your knees on the descent (up to 30% of your weight and that of your bag are supported by the poles) and for supporting your effort on the ascent (the arms help in addition to the legs).
2. A knife (to be put in checked baggage)
3. An external battery (to be placed in carry-on luggage)
4. A camera
5. A sleep mask (constant daylight can disrupt sleep)
6. A pair of binoculars
7. Plastic bags to keep your belongings dry, inside your bag (for boat trips)
8. A rain cover for your backpack

Some principles for fighting the cold:

Our worst enemy: Humidity!

Paradoxically, given its geographical location, the problem in the Arctic is the excessive heat… in both winter and summer. During physical exertion, our bodies produce heat and humidity, and this is the most difficult to combat.

The 3 layers:

For clothing, the layering method is best. This involves wearing several layers of clothing, the closest to the body allowing perspiration to evaporate easily. The other layers retain heat or protect the body from external conditions. Therefore, you should wear underwear that will absorb this moisture and change it at the end of the day, even if your clothes seem dry.

- The base layer (even the skin)

It must allow perspiration to escape from the body and keep you dry; it is usually underwear. Synthetic fibers provide the best results. However, Norwegians and Icelanders use wool (especially the Ulfrotté underwear distributed in France by Pronor...).

- The intermediate layer

It traps our heat. For a long time, wool was the primary insulator. Today, fleece (a synthetic polyester fiber) is very effective. Water hardly penetrates it and it dries quickly.

- The outer layer

Its function is to protect against water, snow, and especially wind. It must be robustly constructed. It should be roomy and extend as low as possible. It must be both breathable and windproof, ideally with technical opening options for improved ventilation.

Basic rules

1. Loose-fitting clothing

Choose clothes in which you feel comfortable and do not wear them tightly fitted.

2. Insulated or waterproof clothing

Choosing the right materials, for the right diapers.

3. The extremities

A large part of the heat is lost through the head. As with the rest of the body, the 3 layers apply to the extremities: the head, the hands and the feet.

4. Getting dressed and undressed

You need to know how to put on and take off different layers of clothing depending on the situation.

5. Avoid humidity

You need to move to "create" heat, but without sweating...

1. A Gore-Tex jacket and trousers or equivalent to protect against rain and wind.
2. Hiking pants, more or less warm depending on your sensitivity to the cold. If your pants are also waterproof, you won't need Gore-Tex.
3. A thick fleece jacket - synthetic or natural fiber
4. A lightweight and compressible down jacket, for cooler evenings.
5. A lightweight fleece
6. Two thin t-shirts, one short-sleeved and one long-sleeved, made of synthetic or natural fibers
7. Three thin t-shirts, one short-sleeved and two long-sleeved, made of synthetic or natural fibers
8. Two pairs of long underwear - synthetic or natural fiber
9. A pair of high-top, waterproof mountain boots (all leather or Gore-Tex; the terrain is rocky and sometimes wet, so good hiking boots are important).
10. A pair of rubber boots (hunting type, so high, reaching below the knee) with a notched sole for crossing wet areas and other meltwater rivers and for being able to walk a little.
11. 4 to 5 pairs of hiking socks - synthetic or natural fiber
12. Personal underwear (merino wool bras are highly recommended)
13. A beanie
14. A Buff-type neck warmer or thicker
15. A pair of gloves
16. A cap
17. Clothes for evenings out and for going out in town
18. Travel clothes
19. A swimsuit and a towel (for the pool or sauna, optional if stopping over in Reykjavik)
20. Head mosquito net