Planning a trip to Alaska, need gear suggestions.

[kwackkillncrew]

i use hh pants and just use a arcteryx jacket. If its going to be raining that much we set up a glassing tarp over us. I have tried using the hh rain jackets and yes rain doesnt soak it out but you will sweat in it and if its muggy/humid out your not going to dry out the inside of the rubber jacket any ways. For small creek/river crossings we use wiggy waders. Made up here in anchorage. Very light weight and you just slip them over your boots your wearing. They are basically light weight hip boots. We hiked in 14 miles on our caribou hunt and crossed several streams using them. They work out great.

 

[trumpet_tim]

6-8" high waterproof boots for sure, the tundra is very lumpy and tough to walk without good ankle support. Quiet waterproof outer shell (pants too) for rain and wind.

Thanks guys! I have camped a ton (although it has been a few years), hunted since I was 6 and have NEVER backpacked . I'm not too nervous about that part though. Having camped I think I can get down to minimalist stuff and be alright. I stay in decent shape also, though I will do some extra workouts when it gets closer to time. I talked with my buddy and I think we will do some weekend camps during deer season to get some ideas.

 

[trumpet_tim]

Also breathable game bags so you can hang meat if you shoot something day 1. And good hiking pack obviously.

Thanks guys! I have camped a ton (although it has been a few years), hunted since I was 6 and have NEVER backpacked . I'm not too nervous about that part though. Having camped I think I can get down to minimalist stuff and be alright. I stay in decent shape also, though I will do some extra workouts when it gets closer to time. I talked with my buddy and I think we will do some weekend camps during deer season to get some ideas.

 

[trumpet_tim]

Sorry for si many replies, trying to hit 10 sp I can reply to classifieds lol. I've been up in Alaska for a few weeks every summer since 2013 for fishing and backcountry hunts. Having a water filter is important, iodine tabs are fine too.

Thanks guys! I have camped a ton (although it has been a few years), hunted since I was 6 and have NEVER backpacked . I'm not too nervous about that part though. Having camped I think I can get down to minimalist stuff and be alright. I stay in decent shape also, though I will do some extra workouts when it gets closer to time. I talked with my buddy and I think we will do some weekend camps during deer season to get some ideas.

 

[trumpet_tim]

Have a couple heavy duty hydro flasks so you can store water for the day in your pack. If you go hiking away from camp you might not find water. It also sucks to have to filter every time you're thirsty

Thanks guys! I have camped a ton (although it has been a few years), hunted since I was 6 and have NEVER backpacked . I'm not too nervous about that part though. Having camped I think I can get down to minimalist stuff and be alright. I stay in decent shape also, though I will do some extra workouts when it gets closer to time. I talked with my buddy and I think we will do some weekend camps during deer season to get some ideas.

 

[trumpet_tim]

Vortex offers decent quality binoculars for a good price. I got my diamondback 10x42 for 160 I think. Trash bags or dry bags to keep clothes and sleeping bags dry. Rain cover for your backpack. these are all just small things you might not normally think of.

Have a couple heavy duty hydro flasks so you can store water for the day in your pack. If you go hiking away from camp you might not find water. It also sucks to have to filter every time you're thirsty

 

[trumpet_tim]

Last one finally haha. Bring a gps, headlamps, extra batteries, and a portable phone charger. Good luck!

First of all my first post!!!! Hello everyone. Now to the important stuff. Myself and a friend are planning a trip to Alaska in a few years. I need suggestions on what gear to take. This is my first trip of this kind so I'm literally starting from scratch. I'm thinking we are going to probably rent the campsite gear from the bush pilot so we don't have to hassle with getting it up there. I will probably be on somewhat of a budget and not sure how much of the stuff purchased will be used again (may do an elk trip after that...just a thought). I do deer hunt and at the most i hike in 1/2 mile or so. So anything that will pull double duty would be appreciated. Forgot to add we are defiantly going after caribou.....maybe black bear

 

[KChunter71]

First of all my first post!!!! Hello everyone. Now to the important stuff. Myself and a friend are planning a trip to Alaska in a few years. I need suggestions on what gear to take. This is my first trip of this kind so I'm literally starting from scratch. I'm thinking we are going to probably rent the campsite gear from the bush pilot so we don't have to hassle with getting it up there. I will probably be on somewhat of a budget and not sure how much of the stuff purchased will be used again (may do an elk trip after that...just a thought). I do deer hunt and at the most i hike in 1/2 mile or so. So anything that will pull double duty would be appreciated. Forgot to add we are defiantly going after caribou.....maybe black bear

Where are you from? What gear do you use now? I was in your shoes in 2013 when I did my first hunt in Alaska and can help some on what worked for me and what didn’t. Coming from hunting mostly in Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa. PM me if you want

 

[Akwoodchuck]

Bring stuff to keep you dry...to keep every part of you dry. Then bring more stuff that is dry to keep you dry when the stuff you brought to keep you dry gets wet. Then bring stuff to dry out the stuff you brought to keep you dry while you're out getting the other stuff to keep you dry wet....got it?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Save all of your money and buy the best rain gear you possibly can afford. Not Kuiu, FL, or Sitka. Real rain gear. Research it.

 

[Jimss]

Getting up there even with minimal gear can be super spendy. Each bag will generally cost an additional $50 in airline fees each direction. I would bring a 6,000 cu in backpack. I load it to airline specs and use it as one of my carryons. With Alaska Air you can carry on 1 bag plus another smaller one. I use a smaller bag to put my binos, spotter, etc. I usually carry on around 100 lbs.

Next, I gut the foam in my large rifle case with wheels. I pack all my clothes, fishing rod, trekking poles, weapon, etc until it meets the max wt allowed (usually 50 lbs). The wheeled case is nice for hauling around the airports. I place other bags on top of it.

It may be worth getting an Alaska Air credit card. By joining they have companion fares, miles, etc that will likely pay for most of your trips air fare.

Top quality raingear would be top priority. Breathable is important (Kuiu or Sitka are the best you can buy). I use and abuse Sitka just about every year up there and it is a life-saver. Helly Henson would also be great for use around camp. Make sure the jackets have pitzips.

As mentioned, quality glass is essential. There is no way I would go without both binos and spotting scope. If it were me I would watch for a nearly new used pair on the classified section of this website. You can always sell a Swaro or Leica for what you paid for them!

 

[Voyageur]

X2 on the AK Airlines credit card.

 

[OXN939]

I'm thinking we are going to probably rent the campsite gear from the bush pilot so we don't have to hassle with getting it up there.

Highly recommend against this. Gear provided by outfitters/ transporters is frequently "rode hard and put up wet" and past its useful service life. You also pay almost as much as you would to just get things on your own, in many cases. I did a guided hunt up there a few years ago with a well known outfitter, paid full price for the nicest package he had, and was assured that we'd be in a nicely set up and comfortable camp... and we got leaky old MILSURP tents and a tarp. The food situation was also pretty pitiful- he provided two decent dinners, then a completely insufficient store of Mountain Houses, and finally powdered oatmeal and granola bars for dinner after we ran out of everything else.

In any case, you have great advice in this thread- just remember that nobody cares as much about your comfort or success as you do, so I recommend provisioning for yourself rather than renting.

 

[brockbetzler]

I would go with a kifaru pack. I got my bag used on here for a good deal 2 years ago. It’s pretty light and carries weight well. I’m thinking about buying another just as a weekend pack for fishing, hiking, shooting. The quality is top notch. Yes you pay more for that set up but I choose it every time over my eberlestock team elk pack. Plus you can buy a different bag for the frame and use it for your small excursions back home

 

[sniper61]

my only check baggage is a wheeled cooler. backed with the things i didn't or couldn't ship 4 weeks earlier. I mail everything i can to the transporter,guide,or my self to the nearest PO. MY double metal gun case is lined with cloths and packed to the max. I wear a day pack on the plane loaded with my street cloths and shoes and essentials. On the way home the cooler is full of meat or fish and if lucky a waxed box full. I U.S. mail everything back home. Learned after landing in Dillingham [to catch a bush plane] that the airlines lost a bag that had my sleeping bag in it. Bought 2 boy scout sleeping bags and doubled them up . Never saw my north face down bag again.

 

[sniper61]

Heads up. Do not mail ammo. it goes in the cooler .

 

[TimberDoodle]

• Take what you need, not what you think you need. Helps for the luggage fees, and the organization. Pack, unpack, winnow, and repack. You should probably be <50 lbs, gear included.
• I'd be leery of the rented camp gear, but that's me. You can probably buy new gear that you know is in good shape, use it there, and ultimately if you don't want it sell it on the buy/sell for less than renting.
• Always have 2 headlamps. I carry one in my pack, one on my leg, at all times.
• Waterproof socks can be your best friends. Chota waiders aren't bad to have either.
• Depending on where you go, it can rain for days & days on end. Plan on embracing the cold & wet. HH Impertech will generally stay dry in anything, and IMO is worth its weight, but it depends on how active you'll be. I've had no problems just walking around & glassing as long as it is <60ish. Wear some good wicking layers underneath (synthetics, fleece), and hope it stays cool. If you plan on racing up & down mountains, it might be too heavy or not breathable enough.
• A trekking pole helps with the packing out game, or just for the ground instability.
• Give yourself enough time. A week isn't enough IMO. Plan for a couple of days at the end of the hunt between your bush flight & your flight home. Weather can be poor for days on end, greatly impacting when your hunt starts, and when you get out. It isn't uncommon for hunts to start days late, and for people to miss return flights. The last time I was up, there was a group of 3 guys that allotted 6 days from bush flight in to bush flight out, with their return scheduled on the 7th day. After being grounded the first 3 days, they were trying to pay the pilot extra in cash to fly out in poor visibility (bad idea IMO) just to get out for what would end up being ~1.5 days of hunting (can't hunt the day that you fly). If you get out on time, you can use the extra days to cut & wrap, or just fish & explore before you fly out, without incurring re-booking fees.
• Pack an extra meal or two. We were 4 days late getting out, and 3 days late getting back, and were fine. A group ahead of us got out on time, and was 4 days late getting back - they were hunting red squirrels after their food ran out.
• Find out where you are going, and think hard about whether you should bring a pack raft ($$ and weight allowed). The rivers can swell quickly, and easily limit your direction for hunting. There's nothing like watching 60-70 inch bull moose 150 yards away on the other side of a raging river to make you wish you had some sort of flotation device...

 

[rickywhit]

Since you are buying all new gear, I would definitely try to go as ultra lite as possible. The benifit of some ultra light gear is that they tend to be more waterproof due the materials they use (dyneema or xpac)

Here are a few brands you should check out.

-Kifaru - Great modular packs and tents
-KUIU - Lightweight packs and clothing
-Seek Outside - Ultralight packs
-Hill People Gear - Very well built packs, but they will be a bit heavier than the brands above. Their kit bags are cool.
-Mountain Laurel - Ultra light tents, tarps ,bivy sacks and ponchos
-Petzel - Headlamps (get one with a red light filter)
-MSR - Water Filters
-Sitka - Packs, clothing and gear. Just an overall good brand.

Since you are on a budget and your trip is a ways off pay close attention to the classifieds forums on this site.

 

[11Justin22]

Well this has turned into a gold mine of info. Thanks guys! After some talking with my buddy and the info above given here I think we are gonna take on the challenge of bringing our own gear. We have also narrowed down to either 40 mile herd or going out of Kotz with someone.

 

[nbisson1984]

Don’t underestimate the weather even if it’s summer in some locations


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