Packing List for Alaska

[olivermoss]

I am bringing a single backpack.

Things that complicate my packing: wool allergy, expected temp range from freezing to 80, will be hiking, will be bringing camera, will be away from any place I can get food for 5 days, food allergies, not skinny enough to get away with walking around in base layers or a tank top, refuse to travel without cozy PJs and thick socks. (The cube for my PJs takes up a chunk of my bag.)



Alaska Packing list:

Clothes:
1 UV Rated long sleeve top
1 hoodie (jersey material, not fleece)
1 Thermal midlayer
1 medium base layer tops
2 base layer leggings (one medium one thermal)
Jeans
3 Sports bras
5 undies + pairs of socks
Rain Coat
Windproof gloves
Fleece hat
Cute PJs + socks + sleep bra
Giant dorky hat with integrated mosquito netting
UV rated buff
Swim suit bottoms (combo with sports bra to make a suit)
Slipper socks

Wearing:
Jeans
UV rated long sleeved shirt
Cryptozoology Tracking Society T shirt (that too many people take seriously and side eye me. Oh well, it amuses me)
Hiking boots
Jeans
Socks + undies + T shirt bra
Puffy Coat
Sunglasses
Foldable ballcap
Headphones - yes I am going to be that person wearing headphones around her neck so they don't count
Wallet - With unneeded items removed and cash added. I am not going to have my credit card skimmed in a rural area because I want caffeine... again.

Camera gear:
OMD 5 mii Camera
12-100mm lens
25 mm lens
polarizer for 25mm lens
Cleaning gear (lens brush, cloth, solution)
Battery charger

Food:
10 meal replacement bars
10 freeze dried bone both powder packets
Caffeinated chocolate - so I can have caffeine before needing to deal with people
CBD infused chocolate - anti-inflammatory that doesn't mess up my tummy, and chocolate
Tea bags
2 bagels (bread I can eat goes off fast, no use bringing more)
Silverware in a washable container (Why TF does most travel silverware come in a case that is hard to clean? I can't always wash the spoon before I need to stow it.)
Re-usable grocery bag with carabiner - in case I find local food I can eat. I can attach it to the outside of my bag and not squish the bread or bananas or whatever.
Crystalized ginger - A strong flavor at the end of a meal is a good way to tell my brain 'yes we did eat'
(I was also going to bring dried orange slices but I .... I already ate them)

Toiletries:
Solid shampoo
Soap
Laundry soap leaves for hand washing clothes
(I typically only hand wash my uv-rated tops when I am on the go, but on this trip I will need to wash socks and other items)
Hand sanitizer
Eye glass cleaner
Travel toothbrush
Floss
Toothpaste
Mouth rinse
Face wash
Lotion (day)
Lotion (night)
Eye cream
Sunscreen - Face
Sunscreen - Body
Sunscreen - Scalp
Sunscreen - Lips
Foundation
Eyebrow pencil
Pads + tampons (Usually I don't pack these, just buy there if need be. But I am going to be 100 miles from a supply point for 5 days)

Odds and Ends:
Trekking Poles
Plastic mailing bags (from packages I've received, I keep all plastic bags) for packing out trash and laundry
Star Trek Distress Beacon (Satellite linked personal locator device.)
Cell phone + Charger
Kindle + Charger
Bring This One - The notebook that I keep all my travel info written out longhand in. I have it labeled as 'Bring This One'
1 pen
2 water bottles - because hiking
Spats (hiking boot covers for very muddy areas)
Claritin and supplements
10 Essentials (whistle, compass, emergency blanket, yadda)
Bug Spray
10 cough drops
Bandana

The Luggage Itself:
Peak Design travel bag what converts into a smaller day pack / camera bag with on-body access
Rain fly for said bag
Capture Clip attachment point for my camera
My REI hanging toiletry bag
Various packing cubes and pouches. Some bought, some made and some upcycled


I am NOT bringing:
Computer
My brand new power bank
My beloved Pen 8 camera
Lensbaby Composer Pro Sweet 35mm lens
A head lamp or flashlight. I was going to but I forgot Earth has a tilted access. It wont be full night at any point I am here.

Do I need?:
Minibinoculars to check to check for bears


Buy there:
National Park T shirts
Peanut butter, bread, bananas
Bear Spray

Alaska Part 1: Anchorage

Comments

[sperrywink]

Damn that is a lot to carry, but so minimal for 5 days.

I hope you have loads of fun!

[olivermoss]

Two weeks actually, hence the need for sink laundry. It's just the bit in the middle where I will be away from any place I can resupply. Some places in Alaska are so remote that they include food with the lodging, I just can't eat that food. I hope I can talk them into making me hard boiled eggs, but I can't count on it.

Thanks!

[cuddyclothes]

I was going to say "that's a lot of stuff" but I think that comes under the heading of "well, duh!" I really admire your bravery.

I had to pack for this past weekend in Richmond, VA, and I probably brought 75% unnecessary stuff. I panic and go, "what if I need this? What if I need this?" Then I end up having to sit on my suitcase to close it.

Have a wonderful trip!

[olivermoss]

It only seems like a lot because I've listed it all out. I'll pot a picture of my packed bag later.

Most people bring tons of stuff they don't need. Most minimalists and one-baggers have what's called a 'comfort item'. It's one carefully chosen unnecessary item to help them deal with not having all their usual things. For me, it's the PJs. I pack bulky ones instead of just an extra pair of thermal baselayers. A well known one-bagging blogger carries a box with tea, a tea pot, a pretty cloth and an immersion boiler so he can offer a proper cup of tea to anyone he meets.

Thanks!

[cuddyclothes]

Is he British? :)

[kay_brooke]

That looks good! It seems like a lot of stuff, but two weeks in a rural area probably needs a lot of stuff.

REI has those RFID wallets that are supposed to make the stuff inside unskimmable. I don't know if they actually work, but I have one that I always take when I travel.

Also, is Dr. Bronner's soap an option for you? It can be used for anything, so when camping I'll bring a small bottle of that for body soap, laundry, and dish cleaner instead of bringing three different bottles of soap.

Does the crystallized ginger thing work? I might have to try that.

[olivermoss]

It sounds like a lot, but it is also going in a single carry on bag that will double as a hiking pack. Listing all the items makes it seem like a lot more.

I could likely do without the soap leaves and double up on other items, but I never do sink laundry and having a clothing-specific soap makes me feel better about the fact that I will have to wash my socks.

Crystallized ginger works for me. One reason why the paleo/weight loss crowd tend to be super into hot sauce is because the strong flavor shouts 'yes we ate' at the brain. I can't feel full due to my digestive problems and being away from food can be anxiety-inducing if I don't manage the situation well. I've been in situations where the only available food will make me sick. That may again be the case for most of my trip. Food all around, but none for me.

I have an RFID blocking bag and may get a wallet at a point. I am just still pissed that I bought that one soda. When I balked at the reader that person I was with was all 'You aren't in America, things aren't as shiny here. Don't be an ass. Give him your card.' Three hours my bank called about bulk purchases of game keys.