Backpack, Dry bag, or Duffle: This is the bag that will hold the bulk of your gear. A good water-resistant bag is the 100 liter Black Hole duffel. Suppliers like REI, NRS, LL Bean, and others carry these and similar bags. Sometimes we have to carry our gear up to a 1⁄4 mile from the airstrip to campsite. It is OK to have a couple smaller bags if that makes carrying things easier for you.

Tent: A 3- or 4-season tent able to withstand strong winds and medium snow load. The stakes you bring must be able to 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 have Alps tents available to borrow. (9 pounds)

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.

Available from Arctic Wild. (4 pounds)

We also have sleeping bag liners to lend if you are concerned about your bag being warm enough.

Sleeping pad: Inflatable pads like Thermarests are the warmest.

Thermarest “trail-pro” pads are available from Arctic Wild. (2 pounds)

Stuff sacks: For packing gear and clothes. Waterproof stuff sacks from Sea to Summit or similar provide an additional layer of protection.

Socks: 3-4 pair heavy synthetic or wool.

You will also be wearing a pair on day 1

Waterproof Socks: Use these over heavy socks for day hiking to keep your feet as dry as possible. Sealskinz are a good choice. 2 pairs would not be too many.

Camp shoes: Crocs, or sneakers let you change out of your damp hiking boots. It is almost never warm enough for sandals.

Light weight long johns: 2 pairs of synthetic or wool tops and 2 pairs of bottoms.

Wear one pair on first day

Heavy pants: Wool or fleece for the cold. Thick synthetic leggings work too.

Big puffy parka/ ski jacket: This is for the really cold, bitter days. Down and synthetic are both fine. Hooded is best. Patagonia and Marmot both make good parkas. Go BIG.

This is the most commonly missed item on our list. Please bring a really warm ski jacket/ parka with a hood not just a puffy coat.

More warm layers: Fleece jacket, wool shirt, and down hoody. You need a total of 5 layers on your torso including long-johns but not including your big parka.

They should be sized so they can be worn together.  A cozy configuration could be 2 long-john shirts, one down sweater, one fleece jacket, and a down vest. If it gets cold you should be able to layer the puffy parka on top of all that and your rain-coat on top of everything.

If in doubt, bring all your choices to the pre-trip meeting and we will help you choose.

You’ll have 5 layers total on your upper body. 3 in your big bag, one in your day-pack, and one to wear on Day 1.

Shorts and T-shirt: Sometimes it is actually hot, even in the Arctic, especially in June and July.

Personal toiletries: Scale down. For instance, you will not need a 6-oz. tube of toothpaste.

Toilet paper: Place your roll in a quart-size ziploc bag with a lighter.

Flashlight/headlamp: After August 1st only. Really, you won’t need it April – July, even to read in your tent.

Mosquito head net: Hopefully you won’t need it but you will be really glad you have it if you do.

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 your guide about any life sustaining or special medications you have and consider bringing a backup supply for the guide to carry.

Glasses or contacts: Bring an extra pair.

“Bug shirt”: A very good idea during late June and July. Original Bug Shirt Company is a good brand.

Pocket knife

Cell Phone: It won’t work.

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.

Lighter: For burning toilet paper. You can bring this on your airline flight as carry-on or purchase when you get to Alaska.

Watch: Best to leave it behind with the cell phone and your other worries.

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.

Trekking poles: While theoretically optional, they can be essential on stream crossings and on tussocks (rough ground).

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.

Reading material, journal, and pen.

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.

Small towel/wash cloth

Fishing pole: A small, folding backpack rod with a lightweight reel and 8 pound test line is sufficient. 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. Char seem to like the 1/4 oz pink and green pixees.

Fly-fishers will want a 7 wt rod and a variety of flies including mosquito patterns, bead-rigs, and big bright gaudy flies. Pack in rigid container.

Not all trips have opportunities to fish. Ask us if your trip does.

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.

Day pack: 20 to 35 liters should be sufficient. A waterproof day-pack is ideal but not neccesary.

Rain Jacket: We recommend 3 layer Goretex or similar. Good quality rain gear is absolutely essential. Patagonia makes a nice coat.

Ideally this jacket will fit over your heavy parka and all your other layers.

Rain Pants: We recommend 3 layer Goretex or similar. Good quality raingear is a must. Patagonia makes a nice simple pair.

The rain bibs listed on our Equipment Request form are not-suitable for a base camp trip.

Down-sweater or fleece jacket: Keep an extra layer handy for changing conditions.

You’ll have 5 layers total. 3 in your big bag, one in your day-pack, and one to wear on Day 1.

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.

Gloves: 1 – 2 pairs of wind-stopper fleece or wool gloves.

Quart water bottle: One is enough.

Mosquito repellent: Keep in plastic bags. 35% DEET is adequate.

Sunglasses and croakies (strings that hold sunglasses on).

Sunscreen, 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. The air in the Arctic is very dry.

Camera: Bring lots of spare batteries and memory cards. A long lens and tripod are nice in our wide open landscapes. Pack in a waterproof, compact, durable, and soft-sided case.

Binoculars: Though these are technically optional, we strongly recommend that you bring binoculars. You miss a lot without quality optics. Vortex makes a nice entry level pair as does Maven.

Hiking boots:  Gore-Tex boots are ideal as the tundra is often damp. Make sure they are broken-in and big enough to fit your Gore-Tex socks.

Long John Top: Wool or synthetic base layer shirt.

Wear one on Day 1 and pack an extra in you bags.

Light weight long john bottoms: Wool or synthetic base layer for your legs.

Hiking/ camp pants: Synthetic, fast drying.

You really only need one pair!

Sun Shirt: Tightly woven, lightweight shirt to protect arms from sun and bugs.

Mid-weight jacket: A light jacket, hoodie, or fleece.

You’ll have 5 layers total. 3 in your big bag, one in your day-pack, and one to wear on Day 1.

Brimmed hat: Whether a ball cap or a wrap-around brim, you’ll need something for the intense, ‘round the clock arctic sunlight.