Recommended Personal Items / Guided & Non-Guided Tours
Canvas Bag, Waterproof Canoe Pack or Backpack
Day Pack (20-35 Liter Volumn)
Sleeping Bag – preferably Goose Down / Rent Locally
Sleeping Pad – Therm a Rest Self Inflatable
Rain Gear – Preferably Gore Tex, Sympatex or Texapore OR other Shell Jacket & Pants of your choice
Fleece Jacket and / or Vest (100 or 200 Weight)
Personal Toiletry Items – preferably without fragrances
Fleece Pants – don’t bring blue jeans they do not dry quickly
Light Hiking Boots
Running Shoes, Boat Shoes or Neoprene Booties
Sweater – Preferably Polar Fleece (100 or 200 Weight)
Hat or Mittens
Wool Socks
Light Thermal Underwear – Capalene, Silk, Polypropylene
Gloves (Wool, Fleece or Neoprene)
Large Zip Lock Bags – Waterproof Personal Items
Waterproof Storage Bags (TIP: use heavy duty garbage bags)
Binoculars
Flashlight – Sample: Maglite
Fishing Rod & Blinker
Reading Material
Personal First Aid Kit - Medication
Compass
Camera / Photo Equipment / Film
River, Lake or Area Touring Maps
Waterproof Matches or Lighter
Sunglasses w. Strap
Suncreen Lotion
Pocket Knife - Leatherman
Water Bottle – 1 Quart Minimum
Insect Repellent – Sample: Cutters Off
T-Shirts
Cotton Shirts
Shorts
Towel / Washcloth
Guided Tours
Please contact us for a detailed list of equipment provided
Equipment Rental
Please contact us for your rental equipment needs
Additional Items – If not Rented
Cooking Set & Utensils
Sturdy Waterproof Tent
White Gas Stove – better fuel/heat efficiency than propane
Small Axe or Saw
Cooler
You may be able to purchase above equipment- if not on hand – at most sporting goods outlets, on eBay or major department stores. Companies of our choice are including: Marmot, the North Face, Patagonia, Sierra Design, Arctex, MSR, Therm a Rest, Dana Design, Gregory. Some items may be expensive – but they pay off after a few outdoor adventures.
Gearing up for Adventure
First Layer
To be worn next to the skin. Lightweight layer - that will wick moisture away from your body to keep you dry. Materials such as: Capilene, polypropylene, fleece-Capilene blends.
Mid Layer
Your insulating layer worn over the first layer to trap body heat. May be wool or synthetic and should be medium- to expedition-weight, dependent on how easily you get chilled. Materials such as: Synchilla, fleece, Polartec synthetic fiber-filled, wool. Note: wool is bulkier and very slow to dry.
Outer Layer
The synthetic shell-system which keeps the body heat in. Alaska Discovery will provide heavy-duty rubberized raincoats and pants. For rainy days, this will be your outer layer. If it is cool, but not raining, you will need a wind jacket and wind pants. Many guests opt to bring lightweight raingear (nylon or goretex) instead. This is a great idea, as it will work well as a windbreaker, but may also be worn during very intermittent, light drizzles.
Remember
The kinds of clothing we recommend can be purchased at sporting goods stores or through mail order catalogs. You may even find everything you need at discount or used clothing stores. It isn't necessary to spend a lot of money to be comfortable and safe. Remember, NOTHING MADE OF COTTON or with down filling will keep you warm or dry in wet conditions! Cold, wet, cotton clothing will introduce you to hypothermia, a state of dangerously low body temperature. For warm, sunny days it is fine to have cotton t-shirt and shorts, but NO COTTON for any article of clothing expected to provide warmth.
Do not bring the following items of clothing and gear because they are UNSAFE:
Cotton shirts
Blue jeans, Cotton long johns
Cotton fatigues Cotton sweaters
Cotton sweatshirts Sweatpants
Cottons socks
Remember that all members of your group should be properly attired, including and especially children. The right clothes can make the difference between a miserable trip and a great one! And they can save your life.
Rafting Gear Checklist
Do not bring the following items of clothing and gear because they are UNSAFE:
Cotton shirts
Blue jeans, Cotton long johns
Cotton fatigues Cotton sweaters
Cotton sweatshirts Sweatpants
Cottons socks
First layer:
1-2 pair liner socks (thin socks to wear under thicker ones, made of wool or synthetic-fibersuch
as polypropylene or Capilene)
Underwear (as many as you wish - nylon or other synthetics are preferable to cotton)
2 pair long underwear bottoms (synthetic fabric such as Lifa, polypropylene, Capileneor Thermax to
wear under pants or shorts;
2 mid-weight (or 1mid-weight & 1 expeditionweight if you chill easily)
2 long-sleeve underwear shirts (polypropylene, Capilene, Lifa or similar synthetics; 1 midweight, 1 expedition weight)
Mid-layer:
1 pair shorts (quick-drying nylon ones are ideal)
1 pair wool or fleece pants (should be loose-fitting for a comfortable fit with long underwear underneath.
2 lightweight shirts (1 short-sleeve or loose-fitting, 1 long-sleeve for sun and bug protection - Supplex
nylon, Coolmax, light-weight polypropylene or Capilene)
1 sweater 1 warm jacket (Not down! Light- to medium-weight, fleece or Synchilla, or synthetic fiber-filled)
Outer layer:
4-5 pair thick socks (synthetic or wool/synthetic blends dry more quickly than all-wool)
1 pair wind pants (or lightweight rain pants, large enough to wear over a base or insulating layer next
to your skin; synthetic fabric such as nylon or Goretex)
1 windproof jacket (or lightweight rain jacket to wear over other layers; synthetic fabric like nylon
or Goretex)
2 types of hats:
1 Warm wool - or fleece ski-type hat that covers ears; also good for sleeping in on cool nights.
1 lighter hat for sun and/or rain (ball cap or wide-brimmed, non-cotton hat; bring onesuitable for
use in the rain if you prefer to wear a hat rather than use the hood on the rain jacket.
1 pair waterproofed gloves: for rainy or wet conditions; ideally these should fit over the gloves listed below.
1-2 pair wool or fleece gloves for around camp at night or for under your rubber gloves on cool days.
- Depending on the temperature and weather conditions, there may be times when you need only one
or two layers of clothing instead of three layers.
For sleepwear, we suggest sleeping in your long underwear shirts and bottoms.
Footwear:
Lightweight hiking boots - You will be issued rubber boots for rafting, but for hikes andaround camp you
will want a pair of lightweight, water repellent hiking boots that donot take up a lot of room. Nike, Hi-Tec,
Merrell and others make good trail boots. Ifyou have weak ankles, make sure you have hi-top boots.
Some guests also bring sportssandals for around camp. Boots will be stored in a "boot bag" so they don't
need to fitin your issued dry bag.
1-2 pairs insoles (felt or other cushioning material) to put inside rubber boots for comfort. Most Alaskans
like to put insoles in their rubber boots to add some padding, improve the fit, and add warmth when
wading in cold water. At night, take your insoles out to dry (from perspiration) - hang them up in the tent
or slip them into your sleeping bag with you!
How Should I Pack?
Waterproof and/or plastic bags are the key to keeping clothing dry when it rains. Pack your gear in heavy, freezer-type, Ziplock type bags. Your daypack will be used for storing your jacket, hat, camera, binoculars, etc. during the day. This will be the only baggage accessible on rafting days. Line the inside with a heavy-duty garbage bag. Use Ziplockss for protecting socks, underwear, toiletries, etc. If you are bringing your own sleeping bag and pad, you will pack these with your clothing and other gear in the dry bags we provide. However, it is still a good idea to pack your sleeping bag in a stuff sack lined with a heavy-duty garbage bag. Your guide will help you with packing questions at the pre-trip meeting.
Please note: Sometimes your airlines will lose your luggage and may not find it prior to our departure into the field! Since proper field gear is essential in the Alaska wilderness, we encourage you to bring one or two sets of warm clothes and any specialized medical supplies as carry-on luggage. Feel free to check your sleeping bag if you are bringing it, as we can give you a temporary bag if yours is lost. We also supply rain gear and rubber boots, so any rain gear, footwear and non-essentials can also be checked.
Stay Warm. The following information is meant to help you enjoy your Alaska trip -- or any trip you take into the northern wilderness. It is not meant to alarm you but to allow you to get the most enjoyment out of your Alaska adventure. We hope to be able to provide you with a warm, sunny vacation. But Alaska, and especially coastal Alaska, can have cool rainy weather any time of the year. Also, the water temperatures of our rivers and seas hover near cold all year long. Taking the necessary precautions will allow you to avoid discomfort and safety risks.
Pack for the Worst.
In cool, damp conditions it is absolutely essential to protect yourself from moisture and to wear clothing that will keep you dry even if it gets wet. Unprepared adventurers have had miserable experiences. It is also a serious safety risk. Our philosophy is to hope for good weather, but pack for the worst!
Stay out of the Water. It is important to know that Alaskan water temperatures are chillingly cold: between 38 and 48° Fahrenheit, or even colder in glaciated areas where the water is ice-chilled. Body heat can be quickly lost, reducing muscle control. This can lead to drowning or hypothermia. Staying with the group is critical. If you do fall over, your rescue boats will be right there to help you. It is good to hug the shoreline when sea kayaking. If you are making a crossing, do it quickly. When the water is choppy, stay in camp until weather conditions improve. Never stand up in your boat or lean your body weight over the boat to reach something in the water (paddle right next to it and then pick it up). ALWAYS wear your life vest.
Hypothermia. There is no reason to fear hypothermia if you take precautions to avoid it. Hypothermia is a shock-like reaction to extreme loss of body heat caused by falling into the water or being exposed to cold, windy or wet conditions. A person may find themselves losing strength, energy and coordination. If they continue to lose heat faster than they gain it, their core temperature will begin to go down. When the body is wet, it losses heat even faster through evaporation.
Symptoms of hypothermia include fatigue, uncontrollable shivering, numbness in arms and legs, muscle tensing, mental confusion and eventually unconsciousness. People may not realize they have it, so keep an eye on your partners for any of these symptoms. Victims of hypothermia need to be treated immediately. Move into a protected area such as a tent. Remove all wet clothing and warm the victim gradually by laying skin to skin on and under sleeping bags. Place warm wrapped objects in critical areas such as the neck, armpits, sides and groin. Have the victim drink warm fluids. Treat anyone who falls into the water for hypothermia.
1. Eat often and include highenergy foods.
2. Drink enough fluids, preferably hot ones
3. Dress warmly for cold before you get chilled, not after. Don raingear as soon as it start raining, don't wait until you get wet.
4. Wear clothes that retain their warmth even when wet, such as wool or synthetics. Cotton and down retain water and speed the loss of body heat when wet. Wear layers of clothing that can be added or removed as needed.
5. Wear a wind breaker and warm hat. The majority of your body heat is lost through your head.
6. Rest often.
7. Let your guide or partner know if you are becoming chilled.
8. Stay as dry as possible.
9. Avoid situations that may lead to becoming cold and wet.
10. Wear a life vest at all times whenever on the water.
Final Packaging Notes Small, compressible duffel or dry bags that can be squeezed into tight spaces work much better than larger bags when packing kayaks. Waterproof and/or plastic bags are the key to keeping clothing dry when it rains. Pack your gear in heavy, freezer-type, plastic Ziploc-type bags and pack these inside small duffels or rucksacks lined with the appropriate size plastic garbage bag. Your day pack/bag will be used for storing your jacket, hat, camera, binoculars, etc. during the day.
