In my latest adventure, I found myself drawn to the mesmerizing allure of the Northern Lights. With a brief opportunity to travel in December, I embraced the chance to chase the northern lights. The excitement was palpable as I booked my flights and accommodations, my heart buoyed by the anticipation of witnessing this natural wonder.

Having braved the chilly climes of Everest Base Camp in an October, I felt somewhat prepared for the cold. However, as I delved deeper into the specifics of Icelandic weather, a tinge of nervousness crept in. To ease my concerns, I found myself immersed in research, typing queries like "How to pack for Iceland in December" into Google. Despite having an arsenal of cold weather gear, I decided to augment my collection with a few additional items, ensuring I was fully prepared for the Icelandic winter. After all, they always say there is no bad weather, just bad clothes ( Or something like that ).

The wealth of information I gathered from various websites was invaluable, and in the spirit of the generous online community, I am eager to share my experiences and insights. My hope is to pay forward the guidance I received, contributing to the collective wisdom for future travelers embarking on similar ventures.

What I packed for Iceland in December:

I realized the importance of keeping my feet and hands consistently warm during the trip. Although I already owned snow boots and an assortment of gloves and layers, I decided to invest in additional ones for extra assurance.

• Boots: My primary focus was on finding insulated, waterproof boots capable of providing comfort in temperatures as low as -2 degrees. After some searching, I finally found the perfect pair. During the journey, my feet were never cold! They are bulkier than I had anticipated, and going 0.5 size bigger was completely unnecessary and made the shoes not as comfortable. Something I could fix by wearing two pairs of socks.

• Hand Warmers: I knew I couldn’t survive any cold weather without them. Now, take what I say with a grain of salt, as my hands are often cold and these were the one item I wished I had with me during my EBC trip. I purchased these, and they helped throughout. On the bright side, I also end up giving several of these to people I met along the way and they were appreciative.

• Gloves: I took many pairs of gloves: A pair of leather gloves, My Gortex skiing gloves - Which I knew were not as warm as I would like them to be, A pair of cashmere gloves. The most useful ones for me where the cashmere gloves, and I ended up buying these in Iceland which were even more useful. I definitely recommend a pair of mittens over anything else.

• Jackets: Just like any other san franciscan, I own a closet of puffy jackets. I took a JOTT down jacket with me, a puffy jacket I had from Aritzia, and my ski jacket from Helly Hansen. I used the JOTT jacket as one layer, and depending on the day, I wore the Aritzia or Helly Hansen on top. Often I had to dress to be warm or dry. Ideally one jacket would’ve been ideal for both; however, I found my Aritzia jacket not waterproof enough and my HH jacket not warm enough. This worked out just fine.

• Hats: Several beanies are highly recommended.

• Base layer: For base layer, I opted for merino wool thermals and it all worked out perfectly.

  • This basic shirt worked wonders - I recommend it in several colors

  • Same brand as the shirt, the base layer bottoms were amazing.

• Wool Socks: I also got extra wool socks - In addition to these I took my skiing wool socks with me as well.

• Tripod: Probably my best purchase. This portable tripod was my companion on my solo trip. This tripod proved to be as sturdy and reliable as any other I've used, accompanying me to various locations, including majestic waterfalls. However, on the nights I ventured out to chase the Northern Lights, the extreme wind conditions made it challenging to use, and it was similarly less effective during my ice cave explorations. While the remote clicker occasionally faltered, overall, the tripod was a fantastic buy,enabling me to take pictures of myself in this journey without having to ask others :)

• Crampons: These were a useful addition to my gear, proving their worth several times during the trip. They were particularly essential for safely hiking across the icy and snowy terrains that I encountered in various locations.

What I wish I had packed:

• Cold Medicine: Neglecting to pack cold medicine turned out to be a bit of an oversight for me. When I fell ill in Iceland, I made my way to a local pharmacy, only to discover that they didn't stock medications quite like Nyquil or Dayquil. While there were various sprays and other remedies available, I couldn't find the specific type of over-the-counter medication I was accustomed to.

The art of layering:

The art of layering played a pivotal role in my comfort and adaptability to Iceland's unpredictable weather. Yes, it will be snowing one minute, the next you have rain or just clear skies and this repeats. Each day, I meticulously assembled my attire to combat the cold. This routine started with my base layer bottoms, a foundational piece for warmth, topped with my dependable ski pants. For my upper body, I began with a base layer top, an essential component for retaining body heat, and then added a down jacket over it and followed with either the Aritzia jacket or the HH jacket on top. This combination of layers was not only effective in keeping me warm but also offered the flexibility to adjust to changing temperatures and activities throughout the day. I also had several bandana face masks I used throughout.

As I conclude my Icelandic odyssey, I look back on an experience that was as transformative as it was magical. It was a journey into the heart of nature's most spectacular display. Any initial concerns about the cold dissipated, and the adventure unfolded just as I had envisioned.

As I share these insights and tips, I hope they serve as a guide and inspiration for others who dream of embarking on such an adventure. Iceland, with its ethereal Northern Lights, challenging weather, and stark landscapes, is a reminder of the raw beauty and unpredictability of nature, and the joy found in embracing both with an open heart and a well-packed suitcase :)