Preparing For The Hiking

Because of the high mileage and rugged terrain on the Alaska Leadership Course, a good level of fitness and well-broken-in boots are essential to your enjoyment of the trip. We cannot overemphasize the importance of well-broken-in boots. There have been students who have had to leave their trip because of blisters from boots that were not well broken in. Please read the training guidelines on the Pre-Trip Training page for information on how to train for the Alaska Leadership Course.

Packing for Your Trip

Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.  Bring only what you need and pack everything in your backpack or daypack. You should wear your hiking boots on the plane and carry your sleeping bag and sleeping pad on the plane with you in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.

Our packing list is designed to keep you safe and comfortable while camping and hiking this summer.  Nighttime temperatures are much cooler in damp climates like Alaska than they tend to be in the regions most of us are from.  The warm clothing and layers listed may seem unnecessary now, but we guarantee you'll appreciate them this summer! Keep in mind, however, that there are a wide range of products available in terms of clothing and equipment. Overland programs are relatively short, and although you want your clothing and equipment to be durable, this does not mean it has to be a top of the line piece. Oftentimes the more basic options fit better and perform just as well. Some of our favorite brands in terms of quality of product for a reasonable price include REI, EMS and L.L.Bean.

Please bring only the clothes listed below. Do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight. By layering you will stay cool on warm days, dry on rainy days and warm on cool nights. You will have the chance to do laundry periodically. You will be able to leave some extra items in our van while we are on the trail, but please stick to the packing list. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our office.

Specialized Gear

Overland will rent specialized gear for any of our non-hiking activities (e.g., ice climbing) and this is included in your trip fee.

Clothing

• Fleece Jacket or Pullover & Long Fleece Pants
  The fleece should be medium to heavy weight and reasonably compact. Please don't bring jeans or sweatpants. They are heavy, bulky and will not keep you warm if wet.


• Synthetic Long Underwear Top or Synthetic Long-Sleeve Shirt and Long Underwear Bottom
  Two or three long-sleeve synthetic tops and one long underwear bottom. Synthetic material will keep you warm in varying weather and is a comfortable layer to wear while hiking or in camp.


• Winter Hat and Gloves/Mittens
  For cool nights in camp.


• Waterproof, Breathable Rain Jacket and Pants
  Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water and/or wind resistant). GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabrics, but there are many of these fabrics to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable as they are difficult to hike in and don't provide the same protection that a rain jacket does.


• Insulated vest
  An insulated fleece, Thinsulate or down vest will help keep your core warm during cool mornings out on the trail. Be sure it's compactable.


• Hiking Shorts or Pants
  Two pairs. Synthetic only, no cotton, as cotton absorbs moisture and will not keep you warm when wet. Instead of shorts and gaiters, you may choose to wear pants while hiking to keep mud, water and snow off your legs and boots.


• T-Shirts
  Three. Synthetic are recommended; cotton are acceptable. At least one synthetic shirt is recommended because it will dry faster than cotton. One cotton shirt works well for at night in camp.
  

• Underwear
  Five.


• Socks
  Four pairs of thick wool/synthetic blend socks made for hiking. Synthetic socks dry faster after a day on the trail and help protect your feet better than a cotton sock.


• Pajamas
  One pair only. Pajamas aren't required as many students sleep in shorts and a t-shirt.


• Bathing Suit
  One only.


• Sport Sandals
  With a heel strap for swimming and around camp. Heavy duty flip-flops or crocs are acceptable but not ideal.


• Sneakers or Tennis Shoes
  A comfortable and lightweight alternative to your hiking boots. To be used on short day hikes and in camp when your hiking boots are not necessary.

Hiking & Camping Equipment

• Hiking Boots
  Waterproof backpacking boots (recommended price range $125 to $175). Choose a comfortable boot that is designed for hiking with a medium weight pack. Your boots should have a durable leather upper that can be treated with waterproofing wax or liquid, or have a waterproof fabric/leather combination. If the boots you like have a GoreTex liner, that is great but your boots do not need to have GoreTex liners to be waterproof; good quality leather when treated properly is waterproof. Follow the waterproofing instructions from the boots' manufacturer prior to the start of your trip; typically you must wear the boots for at least a week before they will accept waterproofing treatment.


• Backpack
  4,000-5,000 cubic inches.  Before you purchase a backpack, find your backpack size by measuring your torso length and your hips.  We recommend getting fitted at a store where you can try on a number of different packs. Follow REI's guidelines on how to find your backpack size:
  Measure Your Torso Length.  This is key:  Your torso length, not your height, determines your pack size.  Here's how to measure it: 1.With the help of a friend, locate the bony bump at the base of your neck.  This is where the slope of your shoulder meets your neck, also known as the seventh vertebra.  Tilt your head forward to locate it more easily. 2. Using a flexible tape measure, have your friend start measuring at that spot down your spine, following the curves of your back. 3. Place your hands on your hips to feel your iliac crest, the twin pointy protrusions on the front of your hips.  Position your hands so your thumbs are reaching behind you. 4. Finish measuring at the point where the tape crosses an imaginary line between your thumbs.  This distance is your torso length.  
  Measure Your Hips. While less critical than torso length, this is helpful if you're considering a pack that offers mulitiple sizes of interchangeable hipbelts.  To measure, take your tape measure and wrap it around the tops of your hips.  This is the "latitude line" where you can feel your iliac crest, the two pointy bones on the front of your hips.  A properly positioned hipbelt will straddle your iliac crest at this line.


• Day Pack
  Your day pack can be used as a carry-on and will be necessary for day hikes. This can be a very basic backpack, maybe even just your school backpack. You should be able to carry it over both shoulders (i.e., NOT a satchel) and it should be big enough to hold your lunch, two water bottles, snacks and some extra warm clothes.


• Sleeping Bag
  We recommend a lightweight, compact, synthetic sleeping bag that is warm to 20 degrees or less. Your sleeping bag should compress enough to fit into your backpack. Some sleeping bags come with a stuff sack which is a small bag that you can stuff your sleeping bag into and then cinch down to make it compact. If your bag does not have one, you can purchase one at most outdoors stores. A stuff sack that compresses your bag to 12" to 20" is recommended. Down bags are not recommended because of the relatively wet damp weather in Alaska. Carry your sleeping bag on the plane with you.


• Sleeping Pad
  A full length pad that is inflatable like a ThermaRest or a closed cell foam (thin and firm) like a Therma Ridge Rest is appropriate. It should be compact enough to either fit in your pack or be strapped to the outside. Carry your sleeping pad on the plane with you.


• Water Bottle
  One 1-liter Nalgene (or similar) water bottle. Overland will provide you with a second water bottle on arrival. A Camelbak or similar water bladder is acceptable.


• Gaiters
  Knee-high gaiters keep water, mud and snow off your boots and legs. Another option is to wear pants, instead of shorts, for hiking, to keep your legs covered.


• Small Safety Whistle
  Plastic or metal with a string or lanyard attached. This is for safety reasons in case a student is separated from the group.


• Utensils
  For meals you will need a 6" to 8" plastic Tupperware/Rubbermaid dish or bowl with a top and a spoon. We also recommend a plastic insulated mug to be used for hot drinks.

Miscellaneous Gear

• Towel
  Medium size cotton towel or synthetic camping towel.


• Plastic Bags
  Ten large ziplocks (1-2 gallon) and 4 large trash bags. The trash bags will be used to line your pack and to wrap your sleeping bag and pad in. The ziplocks will be used to organize and waterproof the rest of your gear.


• Toiletries
  All travel size (in a plastic bag).  If necessary, you will be able to restock en route.


• Moleskin or Molefoam
  One full package for blister protection.

• Sunglasses & Hat
  With visor (e.g., baseball cap).

• Sunscreen (SPF 15+), Chapstick (with SPF protection) & Insect Repellent


• Paperback Book and/or Journal
  Optional. Your group will collectively keep a group journal, and you will receive a copy of the journal after your trip. If you would like to keep your own journal, you should bring one.


• Camera & Film/Battery/Memory Card
  Optional. There will be opportunities to charge digital cameras. Disposable cameras are great too and will be available en route.


• Spending Money
  $50/week for souvenirs, gifts and necessities (like more sunscreen if you run out, camera film or envelopes to mail letters).

Note: Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (e.g., Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman).
We do not permit personal electronics on our programs (e.g., cellphones and iPods). We do, however, allow students who fly to their program to carry a cell phone while traveling; on arrival, Overland's leaders will collect all cell phones for the duration of the program and return them for flights home. Perhaps, a better option would be to bring a pre-paid phone card so that the leaders do not have to carry cell phones for the duration of the program.