What We’re Bringing to Antarctica

Two months, one of the world’s fastest‑melting glaciers, and a relentless Antarctic winter – that’s the setting for New York Times reporter Raymond Zhong and photographer Chang W. Lee. To survive and capture the story, they’ve each compiled a list of essential gear. Below is a side‑by‑side look at what they consider indispensable for the journey.

Clothing and Personal Protection

Raymond Zhong: “Layering is the key.” He packs a merino‑wool base layer, a fleece mid‑layer, a down‑filled insulated jacket, and a waterproof, breathable shell. On his feet are insulated boots with removable liners, plus multiple pairs of wool socks.

Chang W. Lee: “I need to stay warm while staying light.” His wardrobe mirrors Raymond’s but swaps the heavy down jacket for a high‑performance, compressible down vest, and adds a heated glove set powered by a compact battery pack.

Photography and Recording Equipment

Raymond Zhong: Carries a Leica M10‑Summilux rangefinder for stills, a Zoom H5 audio recorder for interviews, and a rugged iPad Pro for note‑taking.

Chang W. Lee: Packs a Sony A7R IV mirrorless camera with a 24‑70mm f/2.8 lens, a DJI Mavic 3 drone for aerial footage, and a set of extra ND filters to handle the bright, reflective snow.

Survival and Navigation Gear

Raymond Zhong: Relies on a Garmin GPSMAP 66i satellite communicator, a compact MSR PocketRocket stove, and a lightweight bivy sack for emergency shelter.

Chang W. Lee: Uses a Garmin inReach Explorer+ for two‑way messaging, a Jetboil MiniMo cooking system for quick meals, and a Therm-a‑Rest sleeping pad for added insulation.

Power and Data Management

Raymond Zhong: Brings two high‑capacity power banks (30,000 mAh each) and solar panels that fold into his backpack.

Chang W. Lee: Carries a portable power station with multiple AC outlets, plus spare batteries for his camera and drone.

Personal Items and Comfort

Raymond Zhong: Packs a small selection of paperback novels, a journal, and a travel‑size espresso maker to keep morale high.

Chang W. Lee: Brings a Kindle loaded with travel guides, a compact Bluetooth speaker for music, and a set of noise‑cancelling earbuds for downtime.

Both men agree that meticulous planning and redundancy are essential when venturing into the harsh Antarctic environment. Their combined gear lists reflect a balance between staying warm, staying safe, and staying creative – all crucial for documenting the rapidly changing landscape of the world’s fastest‑melting glacier.