Your Alaska Packing List

Packing for Alaska means shoving aside the fancy princess dresses or button down shirts and bringing out functional pieces of clothing that layer well for Alaska’s constantly changing weather. Here’s our suggested checklist for the average, seven-day Alaska adventure:

 

Base:

• Long underwear of polypropylene or wool, depending upon your child’s tolerance (1 set with long-sleeved top/pants)
• Hiking/outdoor socks (3 pair)
• Socks for day wear, casual hiking/walking (7 pair)
• Underwear/diapers, etc. (if you are a cloth-diapering family, check out Happy Bottoms Diaper Service (www.happybottomsdiaperservice.com) and their delivery options for visiting babies.)

 

Midlayer:

• Pants (REI conversion pants work great; legs zip off for shorts) (3 pair)
• Shirts (long and short-sleeved for layering) (4)
• Fleece top (1)

 

Top Layer/Outerwear:

• Raingear (consisting of pants and jacket, Gore Tex or other waterproof material)
• Mittens/gloves (1 pair)
• Hat with brim to shield from sun, plus a warm hat (1 each)

 

Footwear:

• Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots
• Sturdy sandals (we like Keen or Teva)
• Rubber boots

 

Miscellaneous:

• Sunglasses
• Sunblock (no, really)
• Swimsuit
• Plastic bags for wet/dirty shoes and clothes
• Small, packable, quick-drying towels
• Family first-aid kit for minor ailments and owies