Please follow this equipment list and do not bring extra gear.
Space is limited in the airplanes and boats we use. You’ll have to carry this stuff a lot; portages are sometimes necessary to reach the put-in or takeout, and then there’s also the daily loading and unloading of the boats. Unnecessary items only make packing and unpacking cumbersome. If an item is not on this list you really don’t need it.
All your gear must fit in one large, waterproof ‘river bag’ and a small ‘day bag.’ We can provide both the 115 liter river bag and the 20 liter day bag for you if you don’t have your own.
There are some items that we consider optional, but awfully nice to have at times. By carefully following this list you can keep your personal gear under 50 pounds.
This checklist has been developed from decades of experience. These are proven items. That said, personal clothing is indeed personal. Bring what you know to be comfortable and practical. All garments should be synthetic or wool because they are light, fast-drying, and warmer when wet. Please leave your cotton clothes at home.
This is Alaska, and the weather can be ferocious. You should have 5 layers for your top and 4 for the bottom. For example, on top: a short sleeve thermal shirt, one heavier long sleeve thermal shirt, one fleece jacket, one down vest or parka and a Gortex or rubber shell over everything. On the bottom: two pairs long johns, one pair hiking pants and Gortex rain pants on top. With a warm hat and a neck gaiter you’re cozy even when the north wind howls.
We are serious about the need for extra rain gear on the Pacific coast in places like Glacier Bay, Katmai and the Aleutians. Bring a couple rain-coats on these trips. A light pair and a heavier set works best.
It can also be really hot, especially in late June or early July. Adequate protection from intense sun, heat and bugs is also important. The weather is extremely variable from day to day and year to year.
Rafting Trips: Our rafts are remarkably stable but we do frequently get splashed. Rubberized rain pants, with solid rubber boots or quality Goretex wading bibs keep your lower body warm and dry.
Canoe Trips: We choose moderate rivers for canoe trips and there is usually little splashing from the river. Rubberized rain bibs and waders are not necessary, but good quality rain gear and knee-high rubber boots are critical.
We have a selection of camping equipment that we can lend you during your trip. If you have your own equipment you may prefer to bring it. If you do want to borrow ours please fill out our Equipment Request Form at least 30 days prior to your trip. Items we can provide for you are denoted with “AW” below.
Please use this as a literal checklist. When all the boxes are checked, ✓ you are done. Anything not on the list doesn’t belong.
Having trouble keeping your personal gear within the 50 pound limit? Please contact us.
AW | Waterproof river bag: This is the bag that will hold the bulk of your gear. A good bag is Cascade Design’s Black Canyon Boundary 115. Suppliers like REI, NRS, LL Bean, and others carry these and similar bags. A bag with shoulder straps is essential. 115 liters is popular but you can combine a couple smaller 50 liter bags if you prefer. (3.8 pounds) |
AW | Tent: A 3- or 4-season tent, able to withstand strong winds and heavy .rain. Make sure your tent is seam sealed either by you or at the factory. The stakes you bring must hold in sand and gravel. We highly recommend yellow plastic 9” “power pegs.” There are lots of great tents on the market including Hilleberg and North Face. We offer Alps Outfitter Extreme Tents. Single wall tents are not recommended. (8-9 pounds) |
AW | Sleeping bag with stuff sack: Your sleeping bag should keep you comfortable to 15 to 20 F. The stuff sack should be lined with a plastic bag or placed in a waterproof stuff sack. Women often sleep colder than men, and a sleeping bag liner is a good way to add warmth and versatility. (4 pounds) |
AW | Sleeping pad: Inflatable pads like thermarests are the warmest. (2 pounds) |
AW | |
Boot insoles or footbeds: Even if (especially if) you are using our boots, bring your own. Quick drying is important. Superfeet is a good brand. | |
AW | Rain pants: On our rafting trips, you will want to be waterproof from your toes to your armpits. Heavy duty, bib style rain pants like Grundens brand are a great option. If you have Gore-tex chest waders with a wading belt, they are a good alternative. We can provide Helly Hansen brand bibs for rafting trips. On a rafting trip you will also want some lighter rain pants for day-hikes in addition to the bibs or waders you will wear when boating. On our canoe trips, there is less splashing and good quality, 3-layer gore-tex or similar rain pants are suitable. Patagonia makes a nice simple pair. These rain pants will serve in the canoe and on day-hikes. |
Rain Jacket: We recommend 3 layer Goretex or similar. Good quality rain-gear is absolutely essential. Patagonia makes a nice coat. | |
Lightweight rain jacket: A second light rain jacket to take on hikes, wear in a mist, or wear under your bigger rain coat in a deluge. | |
Rain pants: This is lighter weight, and not necessarily rubberized. We recommend Goretex or Goretex knock-offs. These are the rain pants you will take on a day-hike. Mt Hardwear has a nice pair. Yup, we really think you should have two full sets of rain gear. | |
Day pack: Big enough for rain gear, water bottle, camera and an extra layer. | |
Hiking boots: Goretex boots are ideal as the tundra, beach, etc. is often damp. For hikes where it is going to be very wet you will use your rubber boots. | |
Boot insoles or footbeds: Even if (especially if) you are using our rubber boots, bring your own. Quick drying is important. Superfeet is a good brand. | |
Camp shoes: Lightweight hiking boots can fill this need. Or bring a pair of lightweight shoes like Crocs, or sneakers. Sandals are not suitable. | |
Stuff sacks: For packing gear and clothes. Line them with a plastic bag as an extra precaution or purchase waterproof stuff sacks from Sea to Summit or similar. | |
Trash compactor bags: For lining stuff sacks. This ensures that your clothes and sleeping bag will be dry. | |
Socks: minimum 4 pair heavy synthetic or wool. | |
Light weight long johns: 1 – 2 pair tops. | |
Light weight long johns: 1 – 2 pair bottoms. | |
Heavy weight long johns: 1 set of bottoms. | |
Hiking/ camp pants: Synthetic, fast drying. One pair is adequate. | |
Heavy pants: Wool or fleece for the cold. | |
Fleece jackets/ sweaters and or wool shirts: You need a total of 5 layers on your torso including long-johns. A cozy configuration could be 2 long-john shirts, one down sweater, one fleece jacket and a synthetic puffy vest or jacket. | |
Shorts and T-shirt: Sometimes (not often) it is actually hot. Really! | |
Sun Shirt: Tightly woven, lightweight shirt to protect arms from sun and bugs. | |
Warm hat: A nice warm comfortable winter hat. Do not skimp here. Many guides prefer 2 hats. One thick one for the day and a thinner one for sleeping. | |
Neck gaiter: a.k.a. dickie, cowl, or neck warmer. A fleece or wool tube to wear around your neck or to augment your hat. A scarf works too. Buff makes some stylish ones. | |
Brimmed hat: Whether a ball cap or a wrap-around brim, you’ll need something for the intense, ‘round the clock sunshine. | |
Gloves: 1 – 2 pairs of pile or wool gloves. | |
Overmitts or paddling gloves: Overmitts go over your warm gloves when paddling for a waterproof layer. Outdoor Research (OR) makes some nice ones. Another option is a rubber fishing glove, the Atlas 282. Neoprene mittens, or just oversized rubber dish gloves also work. | |
Quart water bottle: or two. | |
Personal toiletries: Scale down. For instance, you will not need a 6-oz. tube of toothpaste. | |
Toilet paper: Place the roll in a quart-size Ziploc bag. | |
Optional | Lighter: For burning toilet paper. You can bring this on your airline flight as carry-on or purchase when you get to Alaska. |
Flashlight/headlamp | |
Mosquito head net: Hopefully you won’t need it but you will be really glad you have it if you do. | |
Mosquito repellent: Keep in plastic bags. 35% DEET is adequate. | |
Emergency Kit: Band-Aids, aspirin, moleskin, sewing kit. We carry a full medical kit, but having a few common items of your own is convenient. | |
Special medications: Inform the guide of your special medications and consider bringing a backup supply for the guide to carry. | |
Glasses or contacts: Bring an extra pair. | |
Sunglasses: and croakies (Strings that keep sunglasses on). | |
Sun screen, lip balm, and hand cream: Cracked hands and sunburn can be a real problem for some people. Bring good quality hand salve like Bag Balm if you are prone. | |
Optional | Pocket knife |
Highly Recommended | Trekking poles: While theoretically optional, they can be essential on stream crossings and on tussocks (rough ground). |
Highly Recommended | Goretex socks: Use these over heavy socks for day hiking to keep your feet as dry as possible |
Joke | Cell phone: It won’t work. |
Optional | Watch: Best to leave it behind with the cell phone and your other worries. |
Not recommended | Satellite Phone, InReach, Spot Tracker or other satellite communication device: We carry a satellite phone for emergencies. Unplugging from communications is a valuable part of our trips. Call us if you want to discuss. |
Identification and Credit Card: In theory you won’t need any money or an ID on the trip. But sometimes plans change and planes get re-routed. An unexpected night in a village is possible. You might as well bring ID and a card just in case. | |
Optional | Camera: with memory cards and spare batteries. In a waterproof, durable case. |
Highly Recommended | |
Optional | Bird book/nature guide: We carry a small library of natural history titles and field guides. Ask your guide at the pre-trip meeting about the contents so we don’t duplicate. |
Optional | Reading material, journal, and pen |
Optional | Chair: We usually pack three-legged stools for your use. If you prefer a Helinox or Crazy Creek chair of your own, let your guide know and we won’t lug the extra stool. |
Optional | Small towel/wash cloth |
Optional | Fishing pole: A small, folding backpack rod is sufficient. Pack in rigid container. |
Optional | Fishing reel: Doesn’t have to be fancy. 6-12# test line is sufficient for most trips. Fly fishers will, of course, want to bring a fly reel. |
Optional | Fishing lures: The fish aren’t really picky. Spinners with orange dots like Mepps work great. Bright colors are good when the water is murky. Grayling like flies or 1/8 oz kastmasters. Contact us to discuss fish and fishing for your particular trip. |
Required if fishing | Fishing license: Fishing licenses can be obtained at many stores in Fairbanks or online. You may not fish anywhere in Alaska without a valid Alaska fishing license. |