Gear & Packing

Our packing and gear list is based on typical seasonal and environmental conditions we are likely to encounter. We’ll carry backpacks (approx. 35-45lbs) with our individual gear and a portion of the group gear. Our guides prepare all meals.

Note that Modern Adventure provides most group gear, including: expedition-quality tents, group-size tarp shelters, all cooking equipment, utensils, toilet supplies, bear cans, and water-purification equipment. We also provide all food, including a cornucopia of daily snacks. The provided gear that you will be responsible for carrying in addition to your personal pack, including group food, can weigh up to 18.5 lbs.

Please be advised Modern Adventure does not permit guests to carry bear spray or firearms on our trips. Our local Alaska guides are equipped with bear spray and will accompany you at all times during your trip.

See below for items that you should bring, along with unbiased "Guide's Choice" recommendations from our local Alaska guides. We are always happy to discuss equipment needs with you, so please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

If you’re interested in renting any equipment, please contact us as soon as possible! Sleeping bags, sleeping pads or camp chairs are all available to rent. Requests must be made at least 30 days prior to our trip departure. If you are interested in fishing during the trip, equipment will be your responsibility to bring and carry and a guide will accompany you to the location, for safety purposes.

Gear You Should Bring

ON THE HIKE

  • Backpack. Men’s minimum size 70 liters; women’s minimum size 60 liters. Remember that as a part of your pack, approximately 18 liters will be occupied by group gear (pieces of tents, food, bear barrel, etc.)

  • Waterproof pack cover

  • 1L water bottle (hydration bladders are acceptable, in addition to one wide-mouth, hard-sided bottle)

  • Lightweight daypack for our day hikes on days 1 and 5 of this adventure

AROUND CAMP

  • Sleeping bag. Rated to a minimum of 30 degrees

  • 2 waterproof compression stuff sacks. 1 large enough to fit your sleeping back; 1 large enough to fit your extra layers. Guides Choice: Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Sacks

  • Sleeping pad. Closed-cell foam pad or inflatable air mattress

  • Camp chair. Guide’s Choice: Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Original Chair

  • Headlamp

  • Insulated mug. Tip: Consider saving space and weight by using your wide-mouth water bottle for both hot and cold drinks.


Clothing: Hiking Layers

FOOTWEAR

  • Hiking boots. Quality medium/heavy-duty hiking boots that you break in before you arrive, as traveling with blisters is a painful way to enjoy Alaska. Guide’s Choice: Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX for men or for women.

  • 4 pairs synthetic/wool mid-weight hiking socks

  • Waterproof gaiters (optional). Guide’s Choice: Outdoor Research Verglas Gaiters for men or for women

OUTERWEAR

  • Waterproof/breathable rain jacket. Guide’s Choice: Outdoor Research Foray jacket for men or Aspire jacket for women

  • Waterproof/breathable rain pants. Tip: Gore-Tex or similar quality waterproof/breathable, because good rain gear is essential on any wilderness outing and is probably the most important piece of gear that you have

  • Lightweight wind shirt. Guide’s Choice: Patagonia Houdini Jacket for men or for women

HEADWEAR

  • 1 warm beanie hat synthetic/wool

  • 1 billed hat

  • 1 mosquito head net

HIKING LAYERS

  • 1 mid-weight long sleeve synthetic top. Daily use base layer shirt that you’ll wear all day. Guide’s Choice: Patagonia Capilene lightweight crew for men or for women

  • 1 mid-weight synthetic bottom. To put under your hiking pant or rain pant on a cold/wet day. Guide’s Choice: Patagonia Capilene lightweight bottoms for men or for women

  • 1 pair hiking pants. Daily use hiking pant that you’ll wear all day

  • 1 pair lightweight synthetic shorts (convertible hiking pants/shorts OK)

  • 1 lightweight synthetic T-shirt

Clothing: Camp Layers

CAMP LAYERS

  • Synthetic underwear. 3 to 4 pairs should suffice

  • 1 synthetic or fleece heavyweight top

  • 1 synthetic or fleece heavyweight bottoms

  • 1 synthetic or down lightweight puffy jacket. Guide’s Choice: Outdoor Research Deviator Hoodie for men or for women

  • 1 pair of thick fleece or wool gloves. Keep these gloves dry and only use them around camp

FOOTWEAR

  • Lightweight crocs or sport sandals, for around camp and crossing streams and rivers

  • Sleep socks. Heavy, warm pair of socks to put on at night

Personal Items

  • Sunglasses with case

  • Personal toiletries & medications

  • Sun screen/lip protection

  • Quick-dry towel

  • Book/reading materials

  • Camera

  • Journal and pen

  • Binoculars

  • Insect repellent

  • Bandana or buff

  • 2 accessory carabiners

  • Small dry bag (for camera and electronics)

  • Powdered Gatorade or Crystal Lite

  • Personal snacks (we provide lots of daily snacks, so no need to bring a lot of your own)

Water

You do not need to bring your own water purification treatments. All necessary equipment will be provided. Additionally, you do not need to carry extra water (unless you want to use a hydration bladder). Carry just your personal water bottle, which can be filled up as needed, as there are plenty of water sources along the way and at stops.