Packing for Svalbard wasn't really that difficult as I never fully unpacked from my Lake Winnipeg polar training course two weeks ago. I left most of it in my Ergodyne waterproof duffels, since a lot of the same gear would be going with me. Antarctica, Chile, Mexico, Canada and now Norway, this will be their fifth, or sixth, country of the year - depending on if you count the U.S. in the tally and you consider Antarctica a country - which I don't, but still... I didn't even bother washing any of my Bergans outerwear. It seemed like more of a hassle than it was worth. Besides, it didn't smell that bad, and realistically, after a couple of days on the trail, I won't notice the difference.

While it can definitely grow wearisome, packing and unpacking, I have to say, I'm actually pretty good at it. Maria calls it a gear explosion but I have a more refined term, staging. For me, the process of staging is an important part of getting ready for an expedition. Besides providing a simple inventory, it also gives me a chance to visually inspect each item that I am taking to make sure that it is still intact, functioning or otherwise able to withstand the rigors of another adventure. Surprisingly this year, I have yet to replace any gear. I thought for sure my Erogdyne fleece gloves would have already worn out or my Wigwam socks, but all checked out OK. My homemade windscreen for my MSR XGK stove and 5 liter pot needed the rivets pounded flat, but the thing has been to the North Pole, Hudson Bay, Lake Winnipeg and more over the past three years so it's to be expected.

I am headed to Svalbard, Norway for a nearly two-week training expedition with my good friend Ryan Waters. From Boulder, I will fly to Oslo where we will repack food and pick up sleds and then fly to Svalbard on the island of Spitsbergen. Based in Olso, Ryan and I have been Skyping all week trying to figure out who is brining what. For my part, I was hoping to get by with one duffel and a ski bag for the journey, but with Clif Bars, a new pair of prototype MSR snowshoes and a ski mountaineering set up, my dream of light and efficient airport travel is non existant. Ryan, calls it moving piles. As a mountain guide, he spends an inordinate amount of time moving gear from one place to another. Piles move up the mountain, piles move down the mountain.

It's Spring in Colorado but you would never guess it. I initially thought I would be escaping Boulder's early season heat, but late yesterday afternoon, a few flakes and flurries turned into a full-fledged snowstorm totaling eight inches by the time I left the house. Of course, now my flight is delayed but it's hard to be frustrated at the snowy scene outside. And leaving a cold and snowy place has never been my strong suit.

Image: Snowed in at Denver International!