Arctic Hive Packing List

Wondering what you'll need to visit Arctic Hive? We have a packing list that we send out to guests that is a reflection of the clothing and gear that we use, living here! 
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CONSIDER GETTING TRIP INSURANCE
We highly highly recommend you get some sort of trip insurance and emergency medical insurance, should the weather or other things out of your control impact your adventure. Of course, this isn't required, but just a recommendation. Because transport to and from the arctic is... complicated, if you were to miss the charter, you would have to charter your own vehicle (~$1400) or hop a flight the following day (about ~$230 one way) from Fairbanks up to Coldfoot Camp. If things are delayed slightly, we will do everything we can to help your trip run smooth... but again, always good to have a backup policy to protect your investment.

**We’ve traveled around Alaska and experienced delays with weird nuances we didn’t expect, and were so sad we didn’t get insurance. It’s a small price to pay for future peace of mind!**

SUITCASES
We recommend limiting yourself to just one checked bag, and one carry-on for the trip. Space is limited! Ideally, your checked bag is a duffel that converts to a backpack or has a strap for carrying. Suitcases with wheels (unless they're the hardshell Pelican cases) would NOT be ideal for carting around the Arctic — although it can be done, especially in the winter when we snowmachine your luggage to your cabin for you!

In the summer/fall when you haul your own gear in, duffels make life much easier. We recommend Osprey duffels — this is what we use to transport gear into camp, and we've had our duffels for over 8 years, and they're still solid.

• A day pack to carry around on adventures. We usually carry around a 46L osprey pack when we're trucking around places... but a 36L or smaller will be fine. You'll carry water, food, extra layers, camera, etc. We recommend having this pack be your carry-on during your travel to Alaska to cut down on extra luggage.

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Winter Layering Recommendations

LAYERS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND! *Note this is season-dependent. For a more precise idea of which of these layers you'll need, we'll be in touch once you book your retreat and can provide more specific advice.*

Layering on top: The key to layering is not to sausage yourself into these layers. The tighter the fit, the less space in between layers you have for air to be and keep you warm! You might buy your outer layer slightly bigger to accommodate the laters underneath.

• Baselayer top — a tighter fitting, non-cotton layer to wick moisture. My favorite are Youer's Fleece hoodies, tops and fleece dresses. (Code MOLLIE gets you 10% off your entire order, including sale items). Sean wears the 686 ultra thermal fleece hoodie.
• Down / synthetic down puffy jacket layer — I love the down jackets from Skhoop. (Code MOLLIE gets you 15% off your order of any full price items!)
• A wind-breaking (ideally GORTEX) layer on top like a ski/snowboard jacket. The 686 Smarty jackets are great because they come with a built in (removable) mid layer jacket, and they're incredibly warm. 
  
• Optional fourth layer: Big big puffy (Skhoop Pia Poncho) or big fleece jacket (686 usually makes a few of these each season)

Layering on the bottom:

• Baselayer bottoms — a tighter fitting, non-cotton layer to wick moisture. Mollie wears Youer "Go There Fleece Pants" as they're colorful and super warm. (Code MOLLIE at checkout and you’ll save 10% on your order, including sale items!). Sean is usually sporting a mix of options... sometimes less expensive Kirkland baselayers, and he loves the merino lined Everywhere Pant from 686, too.  
• Down/fleece pants — Skhoop makes some amazing mid-layer pants for this purpose! (Code MOLLIE gets you 15% off your order of any full price items!). 
• Snowpants on the top — bib snowpants are the best because they're easier to move in, but regular snow pants are fine, too. Our favorites are the dispatch bibs from 686 (they come in men's and women's and we both wear them every day)

Below: Mollie, pumping water from the river and keeping warm in Steger Mukluks!

Winter boots - you will be wearing these for pretty much the whole trip, so they're one of the biggest investments! Something that is high on your calves is a MUST due to potential deep snow. 

• For a wallet-friendly option, consider super insulated Bogs with room for your feet to move! Remember that the tighter the boots are on your feet, the colder your feet will be.
• We wear Alaska Gear Company Bunny Boots, and although they are heavy and take some conditioning to get used to, they are THE WARMEST, and great for all conditions.
• We also recommend Steger Mukluks. They’re not necessarily waterproof (although definitely use the waterproofing spray Steger sells!), but they are extremely warm. If you’re coming dog mushing, we recommend something sturdier like Bogs or Bunny Boot, especially because as the winter warms up, we will be mushing through slush/overflow. Mukluks are great as long as you don't encounter water! You usually have to order Mukluks far in advance, so don’t wait!

Winter Accessories:

• Mittens - best to bring two pairs. Search 686 Gortex Linear Mitt— these are exactly what we wear daily. We don't recommend gloves... mittens are warmer. A second pair could be a thinner glove that is easier to operate a phone — Costco sells these during winter.
• Hand and Foot Warmers: We recommend bringing enough to have one set of these per day for both hands and feet! Buy the brand Hot Hands… avoid “Little Hotties” if you can. Hot Hands are superior! We'll have spares, but best to bring a set for yourself so you're fully prepared!
• Winter Hats and Neck Gaiters / Baclava - we usually wear beanies 24/7, and a neck gaiter with merino or fleece against our faces, and a full face mask / baclava when it's super windy. We wear a mix of 686 and Mollie also wears Skida for pops of pattern and color! It's nice to have a spare one of each if one is damp from a day's adventures!
• A few pairs of warm wool socks — wool, or merino wool, is key! 
• Some sort of lightweight slippers that can travel with you in your pack — this is probably the MOST IMPORTANT indoor item to bring for yourself, as the cabins have cold floors. We have some rugs, but due to the cabins being lifted off the tundra and the base below the platform not being enclosed. If we enclosed them, the permafrost would melt, which doesn't make for an ideal spot for a house!

Odds and Ends:

• Camera or phone for documenting your trip! Bring charge cables - every cabin will be able to charge your USB devices and small plug-in devices. If you have a new iPhone that uses USB-C, make sure you bring an old regular USB cable to plug into our solar system. The systems in the cabins also have regular outlets where you can plug to charge, too. Each cabin has 600 watts of power, which can get recharged every few days. That is more than enough power to load up your phones/small devices. Just please no computers or big tablets (and no heated blankets, or other devices with a heat element) that draw a lot of power. When in doubt, please just ask us any questions before you come! If you have your own personal battery bank charger (the small ones), feel free to bring it! We will have run time on our gas generator daily to help you get charged up, too.
• Toothbrush/paste
• 2 lightweight water bottles (Nalgenes or the equivalent... stainless steel ones are heavy to haul around, BUT they do keep water from freezing when we're out on a hike. I like to have one insulated water bottle and one not. Make sure both have a well-sealing lid)
• Headlamp and extra batteries
• An insulated coffee mug... this isn't required, but could be a bonus if you like hot drinks in cold weather! Our favorite mugs are Yeti Travel mugs.
• Clothing to sleep in + undergarments: T-shirt and lightweight pants. Cabins are warm (usually 65F-75F depending on your desired sleeping temperature) so you'll be plenty comfortable! A hoodie/fleece is always nice too.​​
• Chapstick
• Sunscreen and sunglasses (unless you’re here in December/January, ha!)

Here are a few things you DO NOT need, as we will provide:

• You do not need any drinkware or eating utensils/plates
• Linens or pillows
• Dry Shampoo — we have some great Aveda dry shampoo in every cabin
• Body Wipes — each cabin has an abundance of unscented baby wipes for a quick refresh if you need it! So many folks are surprised by how fresh they feel after 5+ days keeping clean with baby wipes.
• Face wipes — we have face wipes in every cabin
• Water filter or water — we provide filtered water in every cabin for your use. You’ll have access to all the clean mountain water you could ever need
• A yoga mat, meditation cushion, yoga props — we have B-yoga Mats and Halfmoon bolsters, cushions, blankets, blocks and straps for your use
• ​Hand towels - if you need one for washing your face, etc, we provide!