What To Bring

Getting ready is part of the fun and the following lists are designed to simplify your packing. However, please feel free to contact us with any questions.

We use chartered aircraft with limited load carrying capacity. Try to restrict your gear to an effective but lightweight set of outdoor clothing and equipment. The good news is that most clothing is light and can be rolled into a tight ball, don’t skimp on warm layers. If you’re in doubt about a certain item, bring it along and consult with the guides before departure. It can always be left behind – we’ll arrange a place at the departure point for you to stow unnecessary items. Avoid bringing valuables such as jewelry.

How to Pack Video

This short How to Pack Video will also help you plan & pack for your upcoming adventure. Enjoy!

Noel Hendrickson
Play Video

Gear Checklist

A. Camping Gear:

  • sleeping bag—good to 0°C/32°F or below
  • sleeping pad—therm-a-rest or light air mattresses are best

Both items can be rented for $105/person + gst  or individually for $37.50 + GST (sleeping bag) and $67.50 + GST (luxury sleeping pad). New this year for Couples, try the Big Agnes Dream Island sleep system for $210 per couple + GST

B. Personal Clothing:

  • t-shirts—three
  • underwear/briefs
  • long-sleeved shirt—wool or synthetic
  • sweater—polypro, fleece or wool
  • warm jacket or vest—(i.e. puffy jacket, ski jacket, etc.) An extra-thick fleece sweater and windbreaker could substitute.
  • windshell—should be big enough to go over a sweaters
  • rain jacket (hooded) and pants—VERY IMPORTANT—must be waterproof and good quality—a poncho is NOT acceptable.
  • shorts—we suggest nylon, quick-dry variety
  • long pants—quick-dry nylon, synthetic blend or wool
  • one extra pair of warm pile or wool pants—optional
  • long underwear (not optional)—tops and bottoms—polypro is best (avoid cotton). There are various weights: light, medium or expedition. Pick what is most comfortable for you, keeping in mind that you can layer your clothing.
  • socks—several pair of wool are best
  • hat—that can be tied on and with a brim that will protect you from sun & rain
  • toque (wool hat)
  • neck tube, buff
  • swim wear

C. Other:

  • running shoes, sport sandals, or equivalent (for camp wear)
  • hiking boots—lightweight
  • rubber boots with insoles in the bottom—for wearing in raft (see Comments on Gear—Footwear) (Not necesarry on Nahanni or Wind river Canoe expeditions) or around camp on wet days
  • neoprene booties (with soles) or neoprene socks & overshoes—for two-person canoe expeditions (see Comments on Gear—Footwear)
  • glasses, contacts (spares), sunglasses—string or starp to tie on
  • personal toiletry items—soap, towel, shaving gear, tooth brush, skin cream (to avoid severe drying of hands), etc.
  • consider a “camp towel”—synthetic model. Some bring baby wipes for hygiene (Note: We do provide an excellent hand washing system in camp.)
  • sunscreen lotion
  • day pack capable of holding rain gear, lunch, camera, etc. on hikes
  • personal medications (bring in “carry-on”—also consider two sets and giving one to the trip leader for safe keeping)
  • insect repellent and bug jacket. We strongly suggest that you bring a bug jacket—they’re light weight and pack easily. We do sell “The Original Bug Shirt.” Call us for details.
  • heavy duty trash bags as insurance to keep your things dry in the waterproof bags
  • water bottle for day hikes. Must be 1 litre or more
  • knife, matches and/or lighter (in a waterproof container), compass if you wish, light cord for clothes line
  • rubber dish gloves for cold water protection if necessary with thin fleece gloves underneath
  • minor first aid items—bandaids, pain relievers, etc. (We carry large expedition first aid kits.)
  • small musical instrument if you wish
  • passport and visa (trip dependant, it is your responsibility to determine if a Visa is required—Visa is not required for Canadian and US citizens)
  • insurance details—insurers name, policy & phone numbers for medical evacuation & trip cancelation insurance
  • Ziplock bags for packing clothing

D. Optional

  • camera—spare battery, extra memory card, USB phone charger if using your phone as a camera. We recommend a waterproof box to protect it.
  • fishing rod and equipment (collapsible please). Check out more at About Fishing!
  • reading and/or writing materials (we bring a “library” with some field guides and trip-specific literature)
  • binoculars—a must for wildlife watching
  • flashlight—more so on August trips
  • gloves or mitts—for cold days (A must on the Tat/Alsek or any of our tundra trips!)
  • favourite alcoholic beverage in a shatterproof container (i.e. Nalgene bottle)
  • helmet (mandatory for canoe trips. You can use ours)
  • trekking poles—collapsible walking stick(s) (These are excellent for your knees & balance while hiking. Use them like ski poles.) You can now rent them from us.
  • tent (we do provide them, but you may feel more comfortable with your own. Check with us for suitability.)
  • small collapsible wash bucket, handy for a sponge bath or doing laundry
  • small musical instrument
  • Hot Paws – for hands and feet

E. Canoe Trips Only

  • 2 or 3 locking carabiners
  • paddle—only if you prefer to use your own.
  • PFD—only if you prefer to use your own.

F. Specific Trips

  • wet suit or dry suit—mandatory for Babine, all Nahanni canoe journeys, Snake and Coppermine canoe. Consider it for the Tatshenshini and Firth. We provide wet suits free of charge on all canoe journeys where they are required. On the Alsek River we include dry suits for all guests.  

 We Provide

  • tent bag—communal bags for transporting tents on the raft. Each bag holds three tents.
  • tent—Mountain Hardwear Trango 3, self-supporting dome tent. Comfortable for two people with some remaining floor space for gear. (Single occupancy is $50.) If you wish to bring your own tent, please contact us so we can approve the model and design.
  • river bag—115 litre, 30 gal—this is for your clothing and camp gear. When closed properly it provides waterproof protection. We’ve never encountered anyone who couldn’t fit everything they needed in this bag!
  • day bag—20 litre, 5 gal– a smaller bag for items you’ll want to have easy access to during the day. Waterproof when closed properly. (Note: This is not the same as the “day pack” listed above in section ‘C.OTHER’ which you must bring for hiking)
  • boot bag—communal bag for carrying hiking boots during the day.
  • cooking, eating utensils, table ware—mug provided
  • rain jacket and pants

Items for Rent*

(Fees are per person, per item, per trip in CAD) *To ensure we can supply your rental needs, please place your order before June.

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