hey Folks,
When you’re packing for a backpacking trip in Alaska’s wet climate it’s important to think beyond just a rain jacket. It can rain a lot. You need to carry rain pants as well.
Does it Really Rain That Much in Alaska?
Travelers planning a trip to Alaska often wonder: Does it really rain that much in Alaska?
The short answer?
Well, I asked Trevor, our backpacking guide extraordinaire, who’s had more than his fair share of wet Alaska backcountry time. Trevor spends most of the summer walking around in the mountains guiding folks who wonder why he’s drier than they are.
“Yes, it rains. But not always in the way you might expect. Duration matters more than volume (typically).”
So how much rain are we talking about?
When it rains in coastal Alaska, it’s usually a lighter, steadier rain rather than a sudden downpour like the Rocky Mountain afternoon thunderstorms or the heavy East Coast rain events you may be used to. Think the Pacific northwest weather patterns.
What often surprises visitors is how cold, misty, and long-lasting the rain can be.
A better question is: How long do Alaska rainstorms last?
How long does an Alaska rainfall last?
Longer than you’d think.
A typical stretch of wet, misty, soggy weather can last two to four days, and in some regions, such as coastal Southeast or Southcentral Alaska, storm systems can linger for up to two weeks. Without sun or dry air, nothing dries out on its own.
Even the arctic isn’t immune. We’ve seen those big ugly low pressure weather systems over the Brooks Range in or Gates of the Arctic National Park or Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for a week or more.
You might get lucky and have a short squall or two. Or, you might be in for the long haul.
This leads directly to the next big question.
Should I Bring Rainpants to Alaska?
YES.
Bring rain pants.
Always.
Always bring rain pants for Alaska backcountry trips. If you’re backpacking in Alaska, and doing anything more than a single night where you can somewhat reliably predict the weather, bring rain pants.
If you’re searching “Do I need rain pants for Alaska?” The answer is 100% yes.
Why?
3 Reasons Why You Should Bring Rainpants for your Alaska Backpacking Trip
Storm Duration
1. Because storms can last so long, rain pants are essential for staying warm and preventing your layers from becoming permanently soaked. Without them, especially at camp, it’s nearly impossible to keep your dry clothes actually dry.
I’m not saying it ALWAYS rains for days on end. It doesn’t. But it CAN. It’s important to be prepared for that rather than hoping for not that.
Bushwhacking
2. Brush is another factor. You’re often bushwhacking here. Most trips here are off-trail routes. Nothing will soak you like walking through wet brush.
Nothing will soak you like walking through wet brush.
Willow and alder are pretty common here. We do our best to stay out of the tickets but you can almost always expect to hit some brush. And when you do, you’ll get wet. More brush = more wet. Waterproof pants matter here. More than you imagine.
Walking on Ice
3. Another reason it’s important to stay dry in Alaska. It’s quite likely you’ll be on, in, or around glaciers. It’s super improtant you can be dry on glaciers. They’re cold (duh?). Hypothermia risk increases significantly on glacial terrain, and you do not want. be backpacking around in wet pants.
Even if you’re not on ice, it’s cold here. There’s likely ice nearby. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park one of the most glaciated places in the world outside Antarctica, and certainly in North America. Most of the rouets there invovles being very close to, if not on top of, icefields and glaciers. Stay dry.
Full Coverage
4. Rain falls all the way to the ground. It doesn’t stop at your waist. You’ll get soaked to the core without rain pants. You’ll likely get wet even WITH rain pants. But you’ll get LESS wet.
And once your clothes (you’re dressing in layers, right?), sleeping bag, and base layers are wet, you’re in for a miserable time; cold body, damp gear, and a soggy, unhappy mind. Hypothermia becomes a significant risk factor once you’re cold. Particularly when you’re not set up to dry out (both you and your gear).
Rainpants prevent all of that.
What are the Best Rainpants for Backpacking in Alaska?
Choosing the right rain gear for Alaska is hugely important. Some quick recommendations.
Patagonia
Great brand, but their rain gear tends to get overwhelmed in long-duration storms. Fine for quick showers; not ideal for Alaska’s extended wet stretches.
Carl says: I’ve not found it to last terribly long; a season or two.
Arc’teryx
Excellent performance but extremely expensive. If budget isn’t an issue, their gear works. But the cost-to-performance ratio isn’t my favorite.
Carl says: Again, a season seems to be consistent performance for this stuff.
Mountain Hardwear
A good company and I’m a fan of much of their gear, but I’ve found their rain gear to be a bit below the premium offerings from the 2 companies above.
Best Option: Non-Gore-Tex Hunting Rain Gear
Trevor says: “I’ve switched to and now strongly recommend non-Gore-Tex rain gear from high-end hunting clothing companies”. Try:
Look for 3.5-4 layer rain pants and jackets. These brands design their gear for hunters sitting in rain for hours and hauling animals in rugged, wet terrain. They outperform most mainstream outdoor rain gear by a long shot. Heavier, typically, but more durable.
Carl says: “There is no big win anywhere. Waterproof breathable is a temporary thing for all gear. I have an Arcteryx Beta I use, and an REI gore-tex jacket that work, but they don’t work as well as they did when new. The drop-off in performance is predictable. I’ve just committed to the idea that I need to update my rain gear every other season.”
Budget-Friendly Option (NOT for backpacking): If you’re not backpacking, consider
- Helly Hansen
- Grundéns
These rubberized commercial fishing jackets and pants are extremely waterproof and much cheaper. They’re not breathable at all. They’re heavier, but they’ll keep you bone dry IF you can manage your ventilation. That is, minimize your perspiration. Carl says:
“It’s also superduper important here to consider that context matters. A LOT. Neither Trevor or I are suggesting you shouldn’t wear Mountain Hardwear or Arc’teryx or other Gore-text jackets. Just know that if they’re not really well maintained, and they’re not terribly recent purchases, you may not stay as dry with them as you want to.
Also, I’ve got nothing against the newer uber-light fabrics and choices at all. I just know they don’t work well for me, and other guides who are in the field a lot. primarily because they don’t hold up well over time. If you’re looking for rain gear for a one-off Alaska backpacking trip, by all bring something lighter.
Final Thoughts
As always, rain gear and rainpants are just one piece of the puzzle. All of your gear works as part of a larger system. Each item. None of it works by itself.
You should always be looking at the system as a whole in your decision-making about individual pieces within it. If you’re curious what I carry, here’s my backpacking gear list.
Cheers,
Carl
