Gear & Equipment

Camping on the Seven Pass.

Gear & Equipment is your go-to resource for all things needed to thrive in Alaska’s backcountry.

From backpacks, sleeping bags, and rain gear to layering systems and specialized tools, we cover the essentials for comfort, safety, and performance. These posts consolidate our expert advice and firsthand experience with wilderness gear, making it easier for you to choose what works best for your trip.

Whether you’re a first-time adventurer or a seasoned traveler, this category helps you make informed gear decisions before you hit the trail. Consider it your wilderness gear guide. All in one place.

Backpacking trip Malaspina Glacier camping on ice, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Camping on the Malaspina Glacier

Hey Folks This past August, we just did an EPIC traverse across the Malaspina Glacier. Our original plan had been to fly from Yakutat to the Samovar Hills, and hike south. Due to the insane amount of snow in the area last winter (Yakutat got 350-360 inches), we weren’t able to land at the strip […]

Alaska backpacking sleeping bag information. Hiking in Alaska.

Pack your sleeping bag

Sleeping bag rating for a trip to Alaska. Bring a 20deg bag. A snowy campsite on the high alpine tundra of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Termination dust covers the ground, or fresh fall snow, and Mt Jarvis (13 421′) of the Wrangell Mountains stands dominating behind. Backcountry campsite, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Why bring a tarp?

Why I bring an 8′ x 10′ tarp and stakes on a backpacking trip in Alaska. The Integral Designs Siltarp 2rocks. Backpacking in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Backpacking gear list hiker and Mt Blackburn kennicott Glacier, Alaska.

Alaska Backpacking Gear: A List

A backpacking gear list for Alaskan guide, Carl Donohue. Backpacking, hiking, trekking guide and nature photographer Carl Donohue of Expeditions Alaska, lists camping and hiking gear for a typical backpacking trip.

A backpacker wearing a hooded down jacket hiking across Malaspina Glacier, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

I’m Done With Fleece – Insulation

I switched from fleece to a Montbell Thermawrap synthetic jacket this season for backpacking. Lightweight, warm, windproof, and stuffable, it outperforms heavier fleece jackets. Great for 3-season use, quick-drying, and compact. Ideal for summer and fall hikes in Alaska, it’s become my go-to layering piece for backcountry adventures.

Alaska snowshoe trip Wrangell-St. Elias National Park winter snowshoeing forest.

Winter Outdoor Gear for Alaska?

Ever wonder what Alaska guides rely on in the dead of winter? Here’s a quick rundown of the winter gear that kept me warm this season—from down booties to snowshoes and everything in between.

Backpacker wearing Arcteryx Rain Jacket in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska.

Alaska Backpacking Rain Gear; Keeping Dry

Don’t make these rain gear mistakes on your Alaska trip. Learn which jackets, pants, and boots actually keep you dry in the backcountry from a longtime Alaska guide.

Winter photography, cold weather, asking Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Down Versus Synthetic Sleeping Bags – What to Choose?

Honest comparison of down and synthetic sleeping bags from an Alaska guide with nearly 30 years of Alaska backpacking experience. Learn about fill power, brand recommendations, and why neither choice is wrong.

Summer sleeping bag and pad backpacking trip Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Sleeping bags and Sleeping Pads

Essential guide to sleeping bags and pads for Alaska summer backpacking. Learn why 20°F bags are recommended, full-length zipper importance, and pad selection from a professional Alaska guide.

Alaska Backpacking trip information hiking in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Backpacks – What do I need?

Choosing the right backpack can make or break your Alaska adventure. After years guiding trips across remote terrain, I’ve learned that a modern backpack is technical equipment requiring knowledge to fit properly. Test any pack with 50 pounds for at least 10 minutes in-store, then field test it on an overnight trip before committing. My go-to packs are the Dana Designs Alpine (12+ years strong) and the Mystery Ranch G5000, both excel at carrying heavy loads on off-trail routes. Understanding strap adjustments, load distribution, and proper packing makes the difference between comfort and misery on week-long expeditions.