Our Alaskan make-sure-you-pack List!
1. Bug Spray!!!
For sure you will need it. I bought 2 different types. I was experimenting with non-Deet sprays for this trip. The first one, which I love, is the Sawyer Permethrin
Clothing Insect Repellent. Beware though! I didn't read the labels when I bought it, but
luckily enough I liked it the most. This bug spray SHOULD NOT be sprayed on
your skin...ever.
It's poisonous! You spray it
on your clothes. So I sprayed it on all my jackets I took with me to Alaska.
However, do not make the mistake I made. Spray the jackets/boots a few days
before you leave on your trip. You want to spray them OUTSIDE. I didn't have a
choice when I arrived in Alaska and had to spray my jackets in my hotel room
and that was a big mistake because you're breathing in poison. So I had to open the windows up to have fresh air
while spraying my jackets. The best thing about the spray is that it lasts on your jacket for weeks, and it lasts for 6
washes, which was
perfect because it
rained the entire time I was in Alaska. Because of this spray I never had any
problems with bugs. It's amazing.
I also bought (as a backup) Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion. When I realized the first Spray couldn't be put on your skin, I thought for sure I would run out of this. However, I used it only the first day. With the Sawyer spray it just was necessary.
2. Boots, Boots, BOOTS!
I honestly didn't wear anything but boots the entire time there. I had my Wellington boots for rain and separate hiking boots for wilderness adventures. The only shoes I took that were not boots were my
tennis shoes, and
only because I wore those on the plane. Make sure you have at least one pair of waterproof boots. It's very
important. Thankfully my hiking boots were both waterproof and insulated!
3. Waterproof jacket!
Again, it rained most of the time we were there. We had a few lucky days, maybe 3 out of the 12 days we were there. It's very important
to pack a waterproof, not water-resistant, jacket.
My sister brought a water-resistant jacket and it didn't hold up well. Water-resistant is for when you are in the rain for a quick
second. Waterproof is when you're going to be in rain for 8 hours, which is exactly what's going to happen when
you're in Alaska.
4. Pack lots of layers.
Even if the weather tells you it'll be 70 degrees, you might be that unlucky soul that gets to
Alaska and now the weather is 55. AKA that happened to us. If you're tiny, or if you're tall and bulky, it's better to be
prepared than to be
cold and then have to wear everything that's in your suitcase at once. You can always take off your sweater, you can't put one on if it's not there.
5. External Batteries
This was the smartest thing I ever did. I packed 2 external batteries which can
charge our phones. You never know when you're going to be by an outlet and it seemed like we
never were.
6. Waterproof backpack.
Mine was water resistant and water did go through. I was getting worried that it would ruin
my batteries and electronics, etc. I had to wrap them in a plastic bag for
protection. Do pack a backpack even if it's not waterproof cause you're gonna need to put
the small things you need to carry with you. I packed my batteries, my water bottle,
gloves, binoculars, camera lenses, and maps.
7. GPS
The cell signal in
Alaska is essentially non-existent unless
you're in a huge city. Packing a GPS helps if you decide to drive around
instead of hiring a tour company to take you around. My family loves to
adventure off and get lost as we go so we picked renting a car and touring
ourselves. Thankfully Alaska basically has one highway, so it's very hard to get
lost unless you're on foot on an unmarked hiking trail. So even if your phone service isn't working and you're dependent on GPS, bring one of your
Garmins with you, otherwise it's time to take out that dusty map you've had hidden a way for years.
A blog about our trip will soon be posted. Check out our instagram: thetravelingdocs
Also check out Our Alaskan Trip
