Boat Based Adventures in Alaska - Equipment List

Boat Based Adventures in Alaska – Equipment List

Please follow this equipment list and do not bring extra gear.

Space is limited in the airplanes we use and on the boat you will be staying on. Having lots of unnecessary items only makes packing and unpacking cumbersome. If an item is not on this list you really don’t need it. 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. If you have questions please ask us.

All outdoor garments should be synthetic or wool because they are light, fast-drying, and warmer when wet. Please leave your cotton clothes at home or onboard.

This is Alaska, and the weather can be ferocious. You should have five layers for your top and four 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 of long johns, one pair of hiking pants, and Gore-Tex 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 two raincoats on these trips. A light pair for hiking and a heavier set for boating works best.

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.

In your big bag:

Items to Keep Handy (Pack in a day pack)

Clothing to wear on day one

	Hiking boots: Gore-Tex boots are ideal as the tundra, beach, etc. are often damp. For hikes where it is going to be very wet, you will wear your rubber boots.
	Lightweight long johns: Wool or synthetic base layer shirt	You’ll have a spare pair packed in your bag.
	Hiking pants: Synthetic, fast drying.
	Midweight jacket: A light jacket, hoodie, or fleece.	You’ll have five layers total- three in your big bag, one in your day pack, and one to wear on day one.
	Brimmed hat: Whether a ball cap or a wrap-around brim, you’ll need something for the intense sun, or to keep the rain out of your eyes.

Hiking boots: Gore-Tex boots are ideal as the tundra, beach, etc. are often damp. For hikes where it is going to be very wet, you will wear your rubber boots.

Lightweight long johns: Wool or synthetic base layer shirt

You’ll have a spare pair packed in your bag.

Hiking pants: Synthetic, fast drying.

Midweight jacket: A light jacket, hoodie, or fleece.

You’ll have five layers total- three in your big bag, one in your day pack, and one to wear on day one.

Brimmed hat: Whether a ball cap or a wrap-around brim, you’ll need something for the intense sun, or to keep the rain out of your eyes.

	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. It is OK to have a couple smaller bags if that makes carrying things easier for you.
	Rubber boots: These boots should come up to just below the knee and have room for insoles and heavy socks. Make sure they are comfortable, as you will spend many hours in them. We can provide XtraTuf boots for you. A brand called MuckBoots are also popular. It is OK to bring chest waders additionally, but you need not buy a pair specifically for this trip.
	Boot insoles or footbeds: Quick drying is important. Superfeet is a good brand.
	Heavy duty rain pants: Three-layer Gore-Tex Pro bibs or similar. Good quality rain gear is a must. Simms makes great bibs. Heavy-duty, rubberized bib-style rain pants like Grundens are totally waterproof but difficult to hike in. Thus the suggestion to bring lightweight rain pants too.
	Rain jacket: We recommend 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro or similar. Good quality rain gear is absolutely essential. Patagonia makes a nice coat. Your raincoat needs to fit over all of your layers!
	Boat shoes: Lightweight shoes like Crocs, or sneakers are nice to wear onboard. Sandals are not appropriate.
	Socks: Three to four pairs total, heavy synthetic or wool.
	Long john tops and bottoms: Wool or synthetic base layers. Minimum of two sets.
	Heavy pants: Wool or fleece for the cold.
	Fleece jackets/ sweaters and or wool shirts: You need a total of five layers on your torso including long johns. A cozy configuration could be two long john shirts, one down sweater, one fleece jacket, and a synthetic puffy vest or jacket.
	Boat Pants: Comfortable pants to wear onboard. Cotton is fine.
	Sun shirt: Tightly woven, lightweight shirt to protect arms from sun and bugs.
	Personal toiletries: Scale down where possible
	Emergency kit: Band-Aids, aspirin, Moleskin, sewing kit. We carry a medical kit, but having a few common items of your own is convenient.
	Special medications: Inform your guide/ the captain of your special medications and bring a backup supply.
	Glasses or contacts: Bring an extra pair.
	Charging cords: To recharge your camera, phone, or other electronic devices.
	Mosquito head net: You probably won’t need it but you will be really glad you have it if you do.
optional	Trekking poles: Helpful on stream crossings and on tussocks (rough ground). Hard to manage in small boats.
	Fishing license: Fishing licenses can be obtained online. You may not fish anywhere in Alaska without a valid Alaska fishing license.

	Daypack or fanny pack: Big enough for rain gear, water bottle, camera, and extra layers.
	Warm hat: A nice warm comfortable winter hat. Do not skimp here.
	Fleece sweater or down jacket: keep an extra layer handy for changing conditions.
	Lightweight rain jacket and pants: A second set to take on hikes, wear in a mist, or wear under your bigger raincoat in a deluge.
	Headlamp: with extra batteries. There is good lighting aboard, but this is essential in an emergency at night.
	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. Buff makes some stylish ones.
	Gloves: insulated fishing gloves are best. Atlas is a good brand. We prefer these. Bring 2 pairs.
	Quart water bottle: A small thermos works too.
	Sunglasses and croakies: (strings that keep sunglasses on).
	Sunscreen, lip balm, and hand cream.
optional	Pocket knife.
	Camera: with memory cards and spare batteries. In a waterproof, compact, and durable 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.