In Mid August I am traveling to Alaska for 10 days. We're spending 2 days on shooting on Prince William Sound and 5 in Kodiak (on land and on a boat). I'm trying to keep luggage to a minimum but really have no idea what to expect. If anyone can offer packing suggestions for types of clothing etc I would appreciate it. So far I've packed raingear...
thanks,
ds
You got the most important part right off the bat!
Actually raingear is only part of the answer, as you rightfully suspect.
The big thing is versatility. The weather in both places is highly changeable not only in rain versus sun, but also in temperature and wind. The solution is layers. We rely on layers of polypro along with the raingear, as well as diverse footwear. My perpetual packing list includes long johns, vest, light jacket, hooded zipfront jacket, hat and pants- all polypro. As temperature, rain, wind and activity change I add or subtract those layers with or without the raingear for covering. Temps right now are running from 50 to the mid-70's. Don't forget waterproof footwear. I include both hipboots and knee boots, but also a pair of slipon sandals for casual times when not in the field.
Don't forget "raingear" for your camera equipment. We ALWAYS pack several large garbage bags in each of our camera bags or packs, plus 2-gallon ziplocs and rubber bands. The former protect your camera bag, but also long lenses on tripods if you're shooting wildlife in the rain. The 2-gallong ziplocs are large enough that you can cut off one corner, push a lens hood part-way through it and secure with a rubber band for an impromptu, but very effective rain jacket for cameras with lenses up to at least 300 f/4. The zippered opening is large enough to extend back from a ballhead and still provide plenty of cover for the body while still providing plenty of room for hands and camera adjustments. In between shoots with the camera off the tripod you just zip the bag closed for the ultimate protection. Yeah, we love them!
For general use not including long lenses we are really hooked on Tamrac's largest Adventure pack (I think it's a Nine). Plenty of room for gear other than long lenses, but more important for this climate, the top pouch is plenty big for extra clothing layers, water bottles, snacks and an assortment of small camera accessories. If you don't have a camera pack with such a large accessory compartment, instead carry a good-sized daypack and put your camera gear in ziplocs within it, along with your extra clothing layers. I've not seen ANY camera pack other than that large Adventure pack with enough accessory space for your spare clothing layers. Better to carry a daypack with the camera gear in ziplocs than to leave the extra clothing behind because your camera pack is too small for both.
For long lens photography I have extra long accessory pockets on either side of my large camera pack for the extra clothing layers, but it's pretty cramped while providing the lots of room for the long lenses.
One last thought: BEWARE of aerosol insect repellent, as well as that 100% DEET liquid. Both are hard to control and easy to get on your camera gear with disastrous results. We use a waterproof lotion called Ultrathon which, while only 30% DEET, remains effective for most of a day because it's waterproof. Neither sweat nor rain wash it off, unlike the 100% DEET liquid. There are others, but none more effective. It's available at least in Macks sporting goods store in Kodiak where bought ours, but probably in other locations as well. The problem with aerosols, BTW, is the drift of the fine mist onto lens coatings. Polkadotted lens coating anyone? A friend and frequent photography companion is allergic to DEET, so he gets by nicely with a good quality head net and lightweight gloves.
Hank, thanks for the information!
I have no relatives over there that I know of (and if I did, they would be sick of me by now... )
I'm going to start trying out some of your ideas over the next few weeks so I'll be comfortable with them when its crunch time. I can't express how excited we are about this trip...
When are you due to arrive on Kodiak, and will you be in town long before heading out to remote areas? Contact me offline if you want more specifics on any area I'm familiar with. If you're spending enough time in town, I'll try to hook up with you, however briefly. A few bears have started to appear on the road system in recent days as the salmon are moving upstream, so even if you're not traveling on to a remote site, some degree of bear photography may still be possible.
Hank,
We won't be on the ground long in Kodiak. We're flying in on the first flight from Anchorage on 8/21 and then out again later that day (weather permitting) to a remote lodge. The trip combines fishing with bear viewing and we're trying to time it with bears in the streams. I know its a guess as to where they'll be and what they will be doing but I think it will be a great first trip up.
I'd like to say something like "a marginal trip behind the camera is still a great vacation" but I've yet to have a trip that bad...
If you have any suggestions for what to do in Kodiak proper on a Friday morning, I would love to hear.
Funny coincidence David: We're flying out to Karluk Lake for our own bear photography on 8/23. If you've only got the morning, I'd put a high priority on a visit to the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge visitor center right in the middle of downtown. It's new and the displays and presentations will be a valuable intro for you. It's right across the street from the Baronoff Museum, another great place, with the Russian Orthodox church right behind it. And it's a block away from the Alutiiq Museum with great native cultural and archeological displays. With those as starting points you'll be well set for further exploration of the island. BTW- If it interests you, the boat harbor presents great shooting of that type. And BTW#2- Bald eagles hang out in the trees around the Baranoff Museum and the church. Have your long lens handy because they're quite acclimated to people and closer approaches.
If you get weathered into town (as we did on our attempt to fly out for bears last week), odds are good that I'll also be weather bound. My # is in the book, so give a call.
Hank,
thanks for all of the great information. I'll print it out and put it in our travel folder. Last year we went to the Khutzemateen preserve in BC to shoot and we had huge fun shooting the local eagles from the patio of a pub in Prince Rupert. I'll give you a call if we have some delays. Thanks again for the great information,
ds
I forgot to offer reassurance on the likelihood of seeing bears on streams. They will be well into their predictable routines by then, so your lodge should do well for you. I was just out fishing yesterday morning and while I didn't see bears in the spot a week ago, I saw tracks in all the usual places. Right on schedule!
I'd add a couple of notes to Hank's excellent summary:
I generally prefer water socks and sandals to rubber boots. I like the closed toe versions of sandals. They work great with rain pants.
There's a rain hat called a "Seattle Sombrero" available from, among others, REI. I prefer it to a hood, because it interferes with your hearing less than a hood. If it's cold, I wear a fleece headband with the hat. If you are going to be sitting in a blind, consider adding a neck gaiter; I like the ones made by "Turtle Fur."
You can't keep completely dry in southeast or southwest Alaska rain. You have a choice as to how you want to get wet. You can keep all the rain out with rubberized rain gear, and if you do anything physically active you are going to get wet from sweat. If you can live with some rain getting through and are going to be physically active, then you want one of the Gore-tex products.
Your camera will get wet. Bring a camp towel to dry things off. I agree with Hank about keeping everything in ziplocks. Some of my buddies thrown those little drying agent packets in the ziplocks as well.
If you are doing a fishing trip as well, be sure to look at current fishing regs. Returns have been low and the number of fish you can keep is reduced. If you're doing just C&R, you're fine, but a lot of us like to have a bit of fish in the freezer...
Discussion
10 repliesthanks,
ds
Actually raingear is only part of the answer, as you rightfully suspect.
The big thing is versatility. The weather in both places is highly changeable not only in rain versus sun, but also in temperature and wind. The solution is layers. We rely on layers of polypro along with the raingear, as well as diverse footwear. My perpetual packing list includes long johns, vest, light jacket, hooded zipfront jacket, hat and pants- all polypro. As temperature, rain, wind and activity change I add or subtract those layers with or without the raingear for covering. Temps right now are running from 50 to the mid-70's. Don't forget waterproof footwear. I include both hipboots and knee boots, but also a pair of slipon sandals for casual times when not in the field.
Don't forget "raingear" for your camera equipment. We ALWAYS pack several large garbage bags in each of our camera bags or packs, plus 2-gallon ziplocs and rubber bands. The former protect your camera bag, but also long lenses on tripods if you're shooting wildlife in the rain. The 2-gallong ziplocs are large enough that you can cut off one corner, push a lens hood part-way through it and secure with a rubber band for an impromptu, but very effective rain jacket for cameras with lenses up to at least 300 f/4. The zippered opening is large enough to extend back from a ballhead and still provide plenty of cover for the body while still providing plenty of room for hands and camera adjustments. In between shoots with the camera off the tripod you just zip the bag closed for the ultimate protection. Yeah, we love them!
For general use not including long lenses we are really hooked on Tamrac's largest Adventure pack (I think it's a Nine). Plenty of room for gear other than long lenses, but more important for this climate, the top pouch is plenty big for extra clothing layers, water bottles, snacks and an assortment of small camera accessories. If you don't have a camera pack with such a large accessory compartment, instead carry a good-sized daypack and put your camera gear in ziplocs within it, along with your extra clothing layers. I've not seen ANY camera pack other than that large Adventure pack with enough accessory space for your spare clothing layers. Better to carry a daypack with the camera gear in ziplocs than to leave the extra clothing behind because your camera pack is too small for both.
For long lens photography I have extra long accessory pockets on either side of my large camera pack for the extra clothing layers, but it's pretty cramped while providing the lots of room for the long lenses.
One last thought: BEWARE of aerosol insect repellent, as well as that 100% DEET liquid. Both are hard to control and easy to get on your camera gear with disastrous results. We use a waterproof lotion called Ultrathon which, while only 30% DEET, remains effective for most of a day because it's waterproof. Neither sweat nor rain wash it off, unlike the 100% DEET liquid. There are others, but none more effective. It's available at least in Macks sporting goods store in Kodiak where bought ours, but probably in other locations as well. The problem with aerosols, BTW, is the drift of the fine mist onto lens coatings. Polkadotted lens coating anyone? A friend and frequent photography companion is allergic to DEET, so he gets by nicely with a good quality head net and lightweight gloves.
I forgot to ask: Are you related to Jeff Slaughter here on Kodiak? Nice connection if you are, because he works for one of the larger air charters.
I have no relatives over there that I know of (and if I did, they would be sick of me by now...
I'm going to start trying out some of your ideas over the next few weeks so I'll be comfortable with them when its crunch time. I can't express how excited we are about this trip...
When are you due to arrive on Kodiak, and will you be in town long before heading out to remote areas? Contact me offline if you want more specifics on any area I'm familiar with. If you're spending enough time in town, I'll try to hook up with you, however briefly. A few bears have started to appear on the road system in recent days as the salmon are moving upstream, so even if you're not traveling on to a remote site, some degree of bear photography may still be possible.
We won't be on the ground long in Kodiak. We're flying in on the first flight from Anchorage on 8/21 and then out again later that day (weather permitting) to a remote lodge. The trip combines fishing with bear viewing and we're trying to time it with bears in the streams. I know its a guess as to where they'll be and what they will be doing but I think it will be a great first trip up.
I'd like to say something like "a marginal trip behind the camera is still a great vacation" but I've yet to have a trip that bad...
If you have any suggestions for what to do in Kodiak proper on a Friday morning, I would love to hear.
If you get weathered into town (as we did on our attempt to fly out for bears last week), odds are good that I'll also be weather bound. My # is in the book, so give a call.
thanks for all of the great information. I'll print it out and put it in our travel folder. Last year we went to the Khutzemateen preserve in BC to shoot and we had huge fun shooting the local eagles from the patio of a pub in Prince Rupert. I'll give you a call if we have some delays. Thanks again for the great information,
ds
I generally prefer water socks and sandals to rubber boots. I like the closed toe versions of sandals. They work great with rain pants.
There's a rain hat called a "Seattle Sombrero" available from, among others, REI. I prefer it to a hood, because it interferes with your hearing less than a hood. If it's cold, I wear a fleece headband with the hat. If you are going to be sitting in a blind, consider adding a neck gaiter; I like the ones made by "Turtle Fur."
You can't keep completely dry in southeast or southwest Alaska rain. You have a choice as to how you want to get wet. You can keep all the rain out with rubberized rain gear, and if you do anything physically active you are going to get wet from sweat. If you can live with some rain getting through and are going to be physically active, then you want one of the Gore-tex products.
Your camera will get wet. Bring a camp towel to dry things off. I agree with Hank about keeping everything in ziplocks. Some of my buddies thrown those little drying agent packets in the ziplocks as well.
If you are doing a fishing trip as well, be sure to look at current fishing regs. Returns have been low and the number of fish you can keep is reduced. If you're doing just C&R, you're fine, but a lot of us like to have a bit of fish in the freezer...
Have fun. Kodiak is awesome.
thanks for the great feedback!