Gear and Menu Lists
There are few things more exciting than figuring out the logistics and gear requirements of a wilderness expedition, accumulating the gear, and packing it all up in readiness for that trip of a lifetime. What you carry in your packs, barrels and waterproof cases will be determined by where you go, what activities confront you and what kinds of weather you will likely encounter.
Weather in the Alaskan wilderness is harsh and unpredictable. Conditions will be cold and wet in the early arctic summer with the potential to turn into long hot days, or remain bitterly cold. I have seen highs approaching 100℉ and fires on the tundra. On the opposite end of the spectrum I have experience rain, sleet, hail, snow, and high winds within minutes of each other. Weather in Alaska is fickle, extremely variable and ferocious. No matter what time of the year it is you should have 5 layers for your top and 4 for your 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 rain 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 are cozy even when the north wind howls. There is no universal, perfect, gear list for multi-day wilderness expeditions. The ideal gear depends on the individual, their preferences, experience and skills, and the destination.
Experienced paddles know that weight matters. Space is limited in the airplanes and canoes we use. You will have to carry this stuff a lot. Portages are often necessary to reach the put-in or take-out, avoid a waterfall or go around a rapid, and then there is the daily loading and unloading of the canoe. Having lots of unnecessary items only makes packing and unpacking cumbersome and long portages fatiguing. Trimming down your gear checklist to the ultralight necessities some ingenuity. You can get crazy counting grams and shave the plastic off of your toothbrush or you can make smart upgrades to your existing setup.
Whether you are going on your first canoe trip or you hundredth, it is always best to have a checklist to insure the essentials are packed. Below is my checklist for gear and meals. This checklist is deliberately comprehensive and intended for trips into the wilderness where being self-sufficient is important to your survival and well being. This checklist has been developed from decades of experience. These are proven items. That being said, the ideal checklist actually depends on your experience and skills, the destination and preferences. The more you know the less you need.
Trip parameters can be selected by placing a check in the checkbox for the time of year, party size, location, type of trip and duration to generate a packing list that balances weight with essential gear needed for a particular trip. Placing a check in the checkbox next to the items you wish to bring will calculate the weight of your gear and meals and how much will be consumed. Afterwards, print out a PDF version in landscape for easier use at home.
Weather in the Alaskan wilderness is harsh and unpredictable. Conditions will be cold and wet in the early arctic summer with the potential to turn into long hot days, or remain bitterly cold. I have seen highs approaching 100℉ and fires on the tundra. On the opposite end of the spectrum I have experience rain, sleet, hail, snow, and high winds within minutes of each other. Weather in Alaska is fickle, extremely variable and ferocious. No matter what time of the year it is you should have 5 layers for your top and 4 for your 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 rain 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 are cozy even when the north wind howls. There is no universal, perfect, gear list for multi-day wilderness expeditions. The ideal gear depends on the individual, their preferences, experience and skills, and the destination.
Experienced paddles know that weight matters. Space is limited in the airplanes and canoes we use. You will have to carry this stuff a lot. Portages are often necessary to reach the put-in or take-out, avoid a waterfall or go around a rapid, and then there is the daily loading and unloading of the canoe. Having lots of unnecessary items only makes packing and unpacking cumbersome and long portages fatiguing. Trimming down your gear checklist to the ultralight necessities some ingenuity. You can get crazy counting grams and shave the plastic off of your toothbrush or you can make smart upgrades to your existing setup.
Whether you are going on your first canoe trip or you hundredth, it is always best to have a checklist to insure the essentials are packed. Below is my checklist for gear and meals. This checklist is deliberately comprehensive and intended for trips into the wilderness where being self-sufficient is important to your survival and well being. This checklist has been developed from decades of experience. These are proven items. That being said, the ideal checklist actually depends on your experience and skills, the destination and preferences. The more you know the less you need.
Trip parameters can be selected by placing a check in the checkbox for the time of year, party size, location, type of trip and duration to generate a packing list that balances weight with essential gear needed for a particular trip. Placing a check in the checkbox next to the items you wish to bring will calculate the weight of your gear and meals and how much will be consumed. Afterwards, print out a PDF version in landscape for easier use at home.