Almost leaving for the Arctic Canada

Last week finally my 16' STARBOARD board arrived and almost all the equipment I will need on this crossing. This board looks great, strong and the perfect size for an expedition like this. Big thanks to Starboard.
 I will have about 65 kilos (140lbs) of gear + 40 kilos (80lbs) of water. It is always more than you expect.  This specially reinforced board is also about 30 kilos (50lbs). So all together I will be travelling with 100 kilos (220 lbs) of gear.

I will bring 10 days of food supplies, although I expect to cross in 4-7 days. But it is a long way to paddle and the conditions can change.  Weather  and wind will have a lot of influence on the speed.

I will probably take the direct route from Qikiqtarjuaq (Canada) to Sisimiut (Greenland).  First I had planned to go along the coast for 60 miles and than use the shortest distance (200 miles), but it looks like it is better to go straight over (245 nautical miles).

First I will be running some tests at the launch site for a couple of days to see how the gear is working and how I get along with the cold climate. I have to feel 100% good about my gear and the weather before I decide to go. I won't be shy to cancel everything if it doesn't feel right. Every year is different. I have to see what the weather conditions are like this year.
Tom Hammerton will be my weather man. He sees the big picture and will give me daily updates about the wind strength and directions, so I can decide which course to follow. 

Also this time I will bring along my sup bed, which I used 2 years ago.

I also made an extra side fin for the front of the board. I have always had one on my other crossing boards but this time it was a little trickier because it is an inflatable. 

This time I will bring an emergency sail with me. If I get stuck in bad weather and strong winds  I can use my sail. My spare shaft also functions as a mast.  

Gear

Board 

16' STARBOARD inflatable with attachments for gear and with extra fins in the front of the board to avoid the nose from drifting with side wind. 2x pump.

Paddle

I will bring 3 paddles, one also functions as a mast.

Navigation/Safety

2xGPS

VHF
EPIRB

Satelite tracker (also works as epirb)

Satelite phone

Nautical maps

2x compass

Iphone

watermaker (makes drinking water from salt water)

Battery back up with Solar

Extensive Medical kit

Knife

inflatable bed

extra small inflatable for emergency

sea anchor (when I get strong head winds)

emergency small sail 

Clothing

2x SUPSKIN drysuit.

1x PATAGONIA emergency winter wetsuit, neo boots and neo gloves

PATAGONIA Adventure clothing. Down Jackets, base layers, socks, 

Food

10x muesli breakfast

10x lunch

10x dinner

nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, cookies, tea, hot chocolate 

Hammer endurance (bike) food, Perpetheum

Electrolyte sports drink Heed

Mountain oven (flameless warming pads to heat up food)

40 liter of water for 10 days