Whilst northern Canada and Alaska are best known for their striking contrasts of long, snow covered winters and hot, vibrant summers, we do get a few days of downpour too!
Summer weather is a fickle thing in our northerly climes; rain is not uncommon – and often comes as a welcome relief to the strong sun we receive.
Whether you are marvelling at the 225,000 strong caribou migration across the Firth River, admiring a pod of pelicans on the Taseko-Chilcotin Rivers or hiking through the breathtaking alpine on the Wind River, having the right gear for your expedition will ensure you can continue to enjoy the beauty of the North, no matter the conditions.
What do we provide?
If you are joining one of our rafting expeditions, we will provide you with a heavy-duty, rubberized slicker set (jacket and pants). This will keep you dry and warm in the raft whilst you journey through some of North America’s remotest wilderness.
For rafters, we strongly recommend a pair of rubber boots to accompany your slicker set. Our rafts are self bailing so there will always be a little water in the bottom. On days where the sun isn’t shining or on our glacially fed rivers like the Alsek and Tatshenshini, they will ensure you are focused on the untouched natural wonders around you and not on chilly feet!
You are welcome to bring your own pair, or rent ours when you complete your Gear & Equipment Form.
For our Tatshenshini, Alsek and Firth River guests, we highly recommend a pair of felt insoles or BAMA booties as extra insulation.
Dive into our ultimate guide to footwear for the river here!
What should you bring?
We strongly recommend all guests bring their own waterproof jacket and pants, too. These can be used for hikes or simply around camp, when you don’t want to wear the thicker, warmer rubber sets.
Top tips from our expert guide team:
- Choose a lightweight, packable and durable material – Goretex is ideal, especially for throwing in your day bag on hikes.
- Make sure your rain gear is waterproof and not just water resistant – water resistant gear won’t make the cut in wilderness downpours.
- Ensure you have enough room to accommodate layers underneath (eg. a base layer and a fleece) underneath
- Breathability: breathable materials (eg Goretex) are helpful as they allow moisture on the inside to escape, ensuring you don’t become damp and cold from the inside.
- Ventilation: jackets / trousers with vent zippers and underarm vents to regulate air flow are ideal, especially if you plan to hike in your rain gear.
- Packing a baseball cap is ideal to wear under your rain jacket hood. This keeps the water from drizzling down your face and to keep your vision clear to soak up the spectacular views!
A few features to look for when choosing your gear
Waterproof Jackets:
- Fully sealed seams to prevent water from seeping in
- Adjustable hoods to keep your head dry
- Waterproof Zippers or a rain flat to ensure the front of your jacket doesn’t leak
- Breathable fabric to manage sweat and heat
Waterproof Pants:
- Adjustable or elastic cuffs at the ankle to keep excess fabric out of the way
- Adjustable waistbands to ensure a snug fit
Consideration for hiking boots:
- Good grip for slippery rocks and wet surfaces
- Breathable lining to prevent foot sweat and blistering
- Waterproof uppers to keep your feet dry, especially when rafting
What about my gear?
We’ll provide you with 110L dry bags to pack all your personal belongings and equipment into, as well as a small 10L dry bag for any items you want easy access to during the day.
We recommend sorting your gear into smaller, waterproof compartments within your dry bag – both for organisation and as an extra layer of protection.
Ready to explore the Wild North?
Now you’re prepared for all that the northern summer can throw at you, why not join us on one of our award winning wilderness river expeditions?
Whether it’s paddling through the Arctic tundra on the Firth River, marvelling at colossal, calving glaciers on the Alsek River or watching the northern lights dance over Canada’s deepest canyons on the Nahanni, we can promise you that a journey with Nahanni River Adventures & Canadian River Expeditions will be the trip of a lifetime.
