What to wear for Ice Fishing Expedition

My daughter was the one who picked our ice fishing activity as early as last year. I knew she cleared them to me but so as not to disappoint her, I just kept on saying “okay” without really understanding what we were going to do. I only saw our itinerary a few days before our departure so during our arctic tour, I kept the list of our activities in my bag and referred to them every so often to keep me abreast of our schedules for the day.

March 15, 2018 Finland

Our schedule today was hectic. Waking up early, packing, hurried breakfast, long drive, quick lunch, then this…. ice fishing.

I put on more layers in anticipation of a drop in temperature. I was told we would be driving in the wilderness for this activity and I wanted to make sure I didn’t shiver from cold.

We were picked up from the restaurant by a van that’s marked Kilpissafarit.

We were brought to the tour operator’s headquarters.

Snowmobiles were parked outside the Kilpissafarit headquarters. It must be nice to ride on one of these.

When my daughter told us in Manila that the tour guides would provide us extra clothes while we hunted for the Northern Lights, I never thought that it would be more than just giving us thick jackets or extra blankets.

We entered the Kilpissafarit’s office that’s full of big snow boots, helmets, spacesuit-like jackets, etc.

I was taken aback when the guy gave this big bulky and heavy boots and told me to wear them. I thought my shoes could withstand negative 30 degrees. I was wearing double socks and 6 layers. so all this bulky clothing won’t be good enough?

These were so heavy, lifting them drained my energy already. I was beginning to feel dizzy from wearing 6 layers, the confusion inside the tight and hot room. my husband helped me suit up but I felt like I was going to drop on the floor from all the heavy winter gears on my body. I couldn’t even lift my legs. The boots must be as heavy as cannon balls. I felt like a prisoner with my feet chained.

I had difficulty keeping up with this kind of activity. I was not as flexible and physically agile to handle this.

They helped me suit up. I felt so drained. I was this close to fainting actually. I didn’t want to be a kill joy but it was really tough.

Hayan na naman ang tyan kong nakausli, ayaw masara yung zipper.

The heat inside the room could make me faint. I couldn’t survive inside this room in 2 more minutes or else I would faint so I went out as soon as I had the suit. I also didn’t anticipate the wearing of helmet. The first time I wore it, it felt like it was squeezing my brains out. I asked for a bigger helmet, extra large. Ang laki pala ng ulo ko.
I have never worn a helmet in my entire life. In the first few seconds, I felt seriously claustrophobic. I removed it and gasped for fresh air. This was a tough moment for me that Edmund and Oyen would never understand. I couldn’t focus on the excitement of this tour because I was dealing with so many kaartihan ko. I now understand my mama.

I wanted my husband and daughter to enjoy this activity. I didn’t want to be a deterrent to their enjoyment. I went along even if I was feeling nauseated. My energy level was very low. Para akong astronaut, saan ba lakad natin, sa buwan yata.

All ready, let’s go ice fishing in the wilderness.