ALASKA - Living on the Edge - Field Gear List

Please pack only in a soft duffel (no hard bottoms or rollers). Bring a single daypack for hiking.

Clothes and Camping Gear

1 midweight long- sleeve polypro

1 fleece jacket

1 Gore-tex Rain Coat, waterproof, breathable (no plastic or rubber coated material

1 light long underwear (polypro best)

1 rainpants, waterproof

1 nylon shorts
2-10 underwear
1 Khaki pants or light pants

1 Cotton Shirt (for travel)

4-6 Socks (hiking socks or similar)

1 hiking boots (hiking shoes or otherwise)

1 running shoes

1 rubber boots (can borrow from Department)

1 wool hat

1 baseball cap

1 mittens/gloves

1 Bathing suit

1 nylon bag with toiletries

toothpaste/toothbrush, shampoo, soap, Chapstick®

1 towel

1 sleeping bag (should good to around 0ºC/32ºF)

1 sleeping pad (Ensolite, or Thermarest)


Miscellaneous

1 qt/ltr water bottle

1 sunglasses (required)

1 camping utensil set – fork, spoon, knife

1 insulated mug

1 bowl/plate (bowl is best)

1 tupperware-like container with lid (multi sections are good– you will put your lunch in this)

Edge Guidebook

Useful Optional Items to consider

1 headlamp & batteries (optional)

1 camera (optional)

1 mosquito repellent

1 Sunscreen (15-30 SPF)

1 Teva® sandals (optional)

Fishing Gear (optional - see below)

Binoculars (optional)

Pocket knife (optional)

Tents and a field book will be provided. We will also provide cooking gear and food. You’ll need to keep track of your mugs/bowls.

Fishing: You can use either a spin casting set up or a fly rod. A fly rod is best because many species we encounter are surface feeders. No matter which you chose, the rod must be segmented into multiple pieces (>2) and must have a hard case because otherwise safe storage in the van is impossible. We will encounter a wide range of fish including Arctic Grayling, Rainbow trout, and Sockeye Salmon. For light tackle, bring an assortment of Mepps spinners with 5-10# leaders. For fly fishing, bring an 8 Wt, with 5 and 10# leaders, caddis, mosquito patterns are excellent for the trout and grayling. You can buy salmon patterns up there (on Kodiak Island). If you skip the salmon, a 5-8 Wt will do the trick. A valid Alaska Fishing license is required, and is expensive.

Any questions or concerns email either of us ( or ).


What Should I Bring Today?

Please get your Day Pack ready for any typical day of hiking with brief Geology lectures along the way. Assume you will need this packed pack every single day, unless you hear otherwise.

ALWAYS pack the following (every single morning):

Day pack…with:

1.  Water bottles, filled

2.  Camera

3.  Rain gear, even if it looks sunny

4.  Geology Field notebook and pencil

5.  GUIDEBOOK

6.  Sunscreen

7.  Sunglasses

8.  Sun hat

9.  Lunch

10.  An extra pair of socks

Other stuff in that pack:

• Chapstick

• pocket knife

• pen and/or pencil

• personal items

• snacks if you need them to get through the day

Wear hiking boots everyday, unless you hear otherwise.