Arctic Alaska Packrafting Instruction
Course-specific gear lists
What if I don't own gear or a boat? Students are responsible for independently securing all gear prior to the start of their course. We encourage students to support one of the following trusted local rental options:
Do I really need all gear on the list? Yes - and hear us out: we care about your safety and want to ensure you are comfortable throughout the duration of your course. As such, course participation is contingent upon adhering to the required gear list specific to your course found below.
Level 1 Courses
Required
*You will not be permitted to participate in this course if you do not have these items at the start of class.*
- Packraft
- Must come outfitted with bow and stern lines
- If unsure of how to attach bow and stern lines, bring 10-15' of 7 mm cordelette or something similar and we will help you out!
- While not required, thigh straps will aid in boat control
- Spray skirt (if applicable)
- Paddle
- Recommended length: 197-205 cm (with exception of larger packrafts such as the Forager)
- PFD (type III or V)
- Whitewater-specific helmet
- Climbing, biking, and skiing helmets are not permitted
- Throw bag (minimum 50' long)
- E.g. NRS Wedge, River Station bags, etc
- Option to rent these via UAF or Northern Alaska Packrafts
- Drysuit
- Warm layers for under drysuit
- Wool socks
- Non-cotton base layers (top and bottom)
- Non-cotton midlayers
- Close-toed shoes
- Thrift store tennies work great!
- To ensure they fit over your drysuit booties, size up 1-1.5 sizes
- Water bottle, snacks
Optional
- Pogies or neoprene gloves
- Neoprene skull cap or thin non-cotton winter hat
- Thin Skida hats work in a pinch
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses w/strap
- Locking carabiner for water bottle
- River knife w/sheath
- Whistle on life vest
- E.g. Fox whistle
- Watch
- Small drybag or bowbag for snacks, phones and other items
- Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, menstrual products
- Medication you might need during the day
not permitted
- Paddle leashes
- Nonlocking carabiners
- Climbing, biking, and skiing helmets
Level 2-4, Level Up, and Swiftwater Rescue Courses
Required
*You will not be permitted to participate in this course if you do not have these items at the start of class.*
- Packraft
- Larger packrafts such as the Forager only permitted in Level 1 or 2; all other courses require single person river-ready packrafts (email if you have questions)
- Must come outfitted with bow and stern lines
- If unsure of how to attach bow and stern lines, bring 10-15' of 7 mm cordelette or something similar and we will help you out!
- Thigh straps*
- *Optional for Levels 1 - 2 & Swiftwater Rescue, but highly useful for boat control (required for all other courses)
- Whitewater kayak
- Only permitted in Level 3/4 Swiftwater Rescue, Level Up and Level 4 courses
- Must have roll 80% of the time for Level Up and Level 4 courses; for Level 3/4 Swiftwater Rescue, must be comfortable with at least wet exiting (rolling is a plus)
- Must come outfitted with floatbags
- Spray skirt (if applicable)
- Paddle
- Recommended length: 197-205 cm (with exception of larger packrafts such as the Forager)
- PFD (type III or V)
- Type V required for Swiftwater Rescue and can be rented from University of Alaska Fairbanks Outdoor Advetures program
- Whitewater-specific helmet
- Climbing, biking, and skiing helmets are not permitted
- Throw bag (minimum 50' long)
- E.g. NRS Wedge, River Station bags, etc
- Option to rent these via UAF or Northern Alaska Packrafts
- Whistle on life vest
- E.g. Fox whistle
- River knife w/sheath
- E.g. NRS Co-Pilot
- Drysuit
- Warm layers for under drysuit
- Wool socks
- Non-cotton base layers (top and bottom)
- Non-cotton midlayers
- Close-toed shoes
- Thrift store tennies work great!
- To ensure they fit over your drysuit booties, size up 1-1.5 sizes
- Crocs, chacos, tevas, etc. are not permitted
- Water bottle, snacks, lunch
- Bring more than you think you'll need, especially if on the Nenana and/or outdoor temps are <65F)
Small drybag or bowbag for snacks, phones and other items
Optional
- Pogies or neoprene gloves
- Highly recommended
- Neoprene skull cap or thin non-cotton winter hat that fits under a helmt
- Thin Skida hats work in a pinch
- Buff for windy days
- Hand warmers (if cold)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses w/strap
- Locking carabiner for water bottle
- Watch
- InReach (instructors also carry these)
- First Aid Kit (instructors will also carry these)
- Bearspray
- Packraft repair kit
- Nenana River courses: items for (potentially) using the 'outdoor' restroom
- Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, menstrual products
- Medication you might need during the day
not permitted
- Paddle leashes
- Crocs, chacos, tevas, neoprene booties etc.
- Nonlocking carabiners
- Climbing, biking, and skiing helmets