Exped Antarctica

The very nature of adventure means that the unexpected can sometimes become part of the journey and that is all part of the experience. While we will always strive to deliver “Plan A”, there may be occasions where operational, safety, weather or environmental factors require us to adapt plans and implement contingency routes or alternative arrangements.

As with all Rat Race adventures, participant safety and overall event delivery remain our highest priorities. We therefore reserve the right to amend routes, itineraries or logistics where necessary, using the experience and judgement of our expedition team to make the best decisions on your behalf in changing conditions. Wherever possible, we will communicate any changes in advance. More often than not, these unexpected moments become part of the adventure itself adding to the stories, memories and unique character of the experience.

Click 'Enter' and sign into your Rat Race account and follow the sign up procedure. If you need any assistance please drop the customer service team an email on events@ratrace.com

Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure.

If you find yourself unable to join us on the start line of this event, you are able to transfer your entry into an event credit voucher once for use on a new entry into an event of your choice. Transfers must be requested within the qualifying transfer window to be accepted and processed. Credit vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Credit vouchers are exempt from the transfer process. To find out more information and how to submit a request, view of full transfer policy HERE 

This adventure has a significant, early upfront cost for Rat Race to secure the vessel and staff, as such the transfer window for this event will close 12 MONTHS before the departure date of your Exped Antarctica trip.

You are very welcome to fundraise for any charity close to your heart while taking part in the event. Please note, however, that our Charity Refund Offer applies exclusively to participants fundraising for Children with Cancer UK.

You can view our current volunteer positions here. 

Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.

To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry. 

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory for this event and must cover both general travel and participation in the outdoor endurance activities included within the itinerary. You will also require Evacuation Insurance, which covers emergency extraction and onward medical transport by helicopter or similar should urgent assistance be required in this remote environment.

We strongly recommend arranging your insurance as soon as you enter the event and booking flexible flight options where possible to allow for any unexpected changes. Please ensure your chosen policy specifically covers the activities you will be undertaking during the expedition. There are a number of specialist adventure travel insurers available, including Mann Broadbent.

Kit List 

This is our planned kit list for Antarctica, additional items may be added but these will be communicated to you in our pre-event information guide 6 months prior. There are many rental companies that exist out there for you to rent some of the specialist equipment below, if you are UK based we recommend Outdoor Hire all kit is per person and cannot be shared.  

The kit lists are split by discipline, the activities are all optional so if you do not wish to kayak you do not need to bring that equipment and vice versa for skiing etc. If you have any questions about kit or would like to be sent some links to examples that would be suitable online please email the team on events@ratrace.com and we will be happy to help. 

GENERAL CLOTHING 

• Wool or synthetic socks 

• Liner socks 

• Long underwear top – synthetic or wool 

• Light fleece or wool sweater 

• Wind shell jacket

• Waterproof breathable jacket 

• Warm insulated jacket – down or synthetic

•  Long underwear bottoms – synthetic or wool 

• Multipurpose stretch wind stopper trousers 

• Waterproof breathable trousers

• Warm hat – wool or synthetic

• Brimmed cap for sun protection

• Face warmer – scarf, neck tube or balaclava

•  Light gloves – wool, synthetic or leather

•  Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell 

• Spare gloves or mitts 

• Insulated Trousers are nice for sitting on deck 

KAYAK EQUIPMENT  

• Dry suit

• Neoprene mittens

• Insulated undersuit 

• Shoe with a hard sole to wear over the dry suit. Make sure they are large enough to fit the dry suit bottom and the thick socks. Having circulation to your feet is essential. For example – Marine dry suit boots Or – Hard wearing trainers.

• Poggies – these are provided but having your own that fit would be beneficial. 

SNOWSHOE EQUIPMENT 

• Snowshoeseg MSR EVO trail This example is designed as. Lightweight snowshoe but NOT as a running snowshoe. 

• B2 Boots to wear with snowshoes, need to fit with the boot crampons

• Poles

• Boot crampons

• Lightweight ice axe

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SNOW SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• Avalanche beacon with good batteries (and spares)

• Shovel 

• Probe (2.4m or longer preferred) 

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GLACIER GEAR

• Harness – fitted for over your ski clothing

• Locking carabiners (x2) 

• Non-locking carabiners (x2)

• Prussik cord – 5m x 6mm 

• Sewn sling – 120cm 

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SKI EQUIPMENT

• Touring skis 

• Touring boots 

• Skins 

• Ski crampons 

• Ski poles  

• Lightweight ice axe

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT 

• Backpack (30-40 litres)

• Sunglasses (both orange and dark lenses help a lot for travel in all conditions) 

• Goggles (orange or rose lenses) 

• Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+) 

• Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L) 

• Lunch bag or container 

• Personal blister kit. Be sure to pre-tape problem spots on your feet, prevention is the best medicine! 

• Pocket knife (optional) 

• Camera (optional) 

• Binoculars (optional) 

• Utility cord for hanging stuff to dry (very helpful for hanging personal items in your cabin) 

ON THE SAILING BOAT 

•  Small soft-sided duffle bag (up to 70 L) to contain your clothes in your berth 

• Shoes 

• Insulated boots for shore excursions 

• Comfortable and warm clothing 

• Personal medications and toiletries (including small-sized soap and shampoo) 

• Ear plugs 

• Reading material 

• Chargers & adapters for electronic devices (normal AC power is available as 220V Euro plug) 

You can do all 3 but you do not need to do all 3. Owing to the very unique way in which we have resourced the trip, we have expert guides embarked with us for skiing and kayaking (and snowshoeing), who can take split groups at the same time. So if you wish to mix it up and ski some days and paddle on others, that is fine. Or if you just want to paddle all days, that is all fine. Similarly, the snowshoeing day is optional and the alternative if you do not wish to do that, is to go paddling. 

Don’t worry. You do not need to be a skier to come on this trip. This option is there for those who wish and can ski; but you do not need to be able to ski. If you are planning to ski, you must be competent and confident in backcountry glaciated terrain and have good experience of ski touring. You must bring your own ski equipment, there is no hire option available. 

The boat is a specially designed Polar sailing yacht. It is around 120ft long, which makes it a big sailing boat (it also has an engine). But it is far smaller and much more charming and personable) than even a small cruise ship. This means it can get in close to many many anchorages where the larger Polar cruise ships simply cannot go. The Antarctic operating rules for ships also limit those larger craft to 3 hour intervals at anchor in some locations. In our boat, we are not subject to those restrictions, providing us a far more intimate experience and absolutely unfettered access to the best spots; across the whole trip. 

We will expect you to have some basic sea kayak experience, you should know how to perform and emergency bail out of an upturned kayak and be able to assist others if they have capsized. These are all skills easily learned and obtained by a few lessons with a local kayak operation. In the 12 months before our Exped we will organise some UK based kayak skill days where you can meet your fellow boatmates and enjoy a weekend of sea kayaking.  

Rat Race is audited and accredited to the prestigious BS8848 expedition safety standard, with robust emergency protocols and response systems in place across all adventures. Participant and staff safety is our highest priority. Every trip is supported by detailed in-country risk assessments, qualified staff with adventure-specific competencies, high-level first aid capability, and 24/7 medical and emergency response support. In the event of an incident, our teams are trained to deliver immediate, life saving care, coordinate evacuation where needed, and follow comprehensive medical procedures. We’ll also advise you on the required travel insurance for your trip and request proof of cover before departure.