Sea Kayaking Adventure Gear List

First layer:

1-2 pair liner socks (thin socks to wear under thicker ones, made of wool or synthetic

"wicking" fibers like polypropylene or Capilene)

Underwear (as many as you wish - nylon or other synthetics are preferable to cotton)

1-2 pair long underwear bottoms (synthetic fabric such as Lifa, polypropylene, Capilene or

Thermax to wear under pants or shorts; 2 mid-weight (or 1mid-weight & 1 expedition weight

if you chill easily, especially in early June or late August)

1-2 long-sleeve underwear shirts (polypropylene, Capilene, Lifa or similar synthetics; 1

middleweight, 1 expedition weight)

1 pair shorts (quick-drying nylon ones are ideal)

1 pair wool or fleece pants (should be loose-fitting for comfortable wear in kayak 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 or 1 warm jacket (Not down! Medium to heavy-weight fleece or synchilla or similar style)

2-3 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 Gore-Tex)

1 windproof jacket (or lightweight rain jacket to wear over other layers; synthetic fabric like

nylon or Gore-Tex)

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 one

suitable for use in the rain if you prefer to wear a hat rather than use the hood on the rain

jacket we provide)

1 pair waterproof gloves: for paddling in rain or wet conditions - rubber gloves, hardware

store or gardening variety; ideally these should fit over the gloves listed below. (Neoprene

paddling gloves also work well.)

1-2 pair wool or fleece gloves for around camp at night or for under your rubber gloves on

cool paddling 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.

Please call our office with any questions regarding fabrics and the gear list. Adequate clothing

is not only beneficial but also essential. Remember NO COTTON for any article of clothing

expected to provide warmth.

Lightweight hiking boots. You will be issued rubber boots for kayaking, but for hikes and

around camp you will want a pair of lightweight, water repellent hiking boots that do not take

up a lot of room. Nike, Hi-Tec, Merrell and others make good trail boots. If you have weak

ankles, make sure you have hi-top boots. Some guests also bring sports sandals for

around camp.

1-2 pair 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!

Day pack/bag: a small day pack or dry bag to hold your sweater, rain gear, hat, gloves and

camera. Used on hikes and stored by you while kayaking. See packing notes.

One 12"x24" duffel bag lined with a heavy-duty plastic bag, or a dry bag of similar

dimensions. (You will find light weight, inexpensive duffels at outdoor or discount stores.)

Sleeping bag: synthetic only, good to +20 degrees F, compatible, backpacking-type.

Not down! (Down loses its insulating qualities if it gets wet.) You may rent a bag from us.

Sleeping pad: closed-cell foam or Therm-a-rest or other compatible, backpacking-type pad.

Water bottle(s): 1 or 2 wide-mouth quart or liter size

Bug repellent: bug conditions vary greatly depending on weather, wind, and campsite; some

people are also more attractive to bugs than others. Many Alaskans use head nets as a toxicfree

alternative to repellents.

Sun screen (high SPF) and lip balm containing sun screen.

Ziploc bags (heavy-duty, freezer-type are best) & garbage bags (heavy-duty, compactor

bags are best). See packing notes.

Personal toiletries: bring biodegradable, unscented products if possible. Please keep your

toiletry kit small. A toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste may be all you need "in the

field." Your toiletries should fit into a single quart-size Ziploc bag. Toiletry items will be kept

in a small "community" bag or bear-proof can, NOT in your tent.

Bandana and/or small towel or washcloth.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

We suggest bringing a small flashlight, small pocket knife, camera with extra battery &

film, binoculars, reading & writing materials. Foam ear plugs are useful for bush flights and

snoring tent partners. Space is limited so bring those items you need but not the kitchen sink.

(We've already brought that!)

Baggage Limits

All guests’ baggage will be weighed. Due to charter plane limits and limited space in kayaks,

we will limit each guest to 35 lbs. of gear. All exceptions must be cleared through the office.

(Gear provided by Vendor and your sleeping bag and pad are not part of this weight limit).

How Should I Pack? – Important Packing Notes

Small, compressible duffel or dry bags that can be squeezed into tight spaces work much

better than larger bags when packing kayaks. This is especially true on our long kayak trips

where food takes up considerable room in the boats. The smaller your day pack, duffel or dry

bag, the more leg room you will have and the more comfortable you will be.

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 - we recommend the heaviest

brand you can find; compactor bags work very well. You may wish to purchase dry bags for

your gear—they come in many sizes and some are quite inexpensive. Your day pack/bag will

be used for storing your jacket, hat, camera, binoculars, etc. during the day.

If you are bringing your own sleeping bag and pad, pack each of these individually and

separately from your clothing and other gear. You should pack these in either a dry bag or a

stuff sack lined with a heavy-duty garbage bag. Your guide will help you with packing

questions at the pre-trip meeting.

If you need to rent a bag and pad from us, please circle "Yes" on your Expedition

Application and add $35/set to your balance due if this amount is not already on your invoice.

dimension limits listed in the "baggage" section.

You may store extra luggage at your place of lodging or at our warehouses in Juneau,

Gustavus or Yakutat.

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. We supply rain gear and rubber boots, so any rain gear, footwear and nonessentials

can be packed with your baggage that is checked on the plane.