Anchorage What to Pack

  • Summer Wildflowers (Fireweed) in Anchorage
      Summer Wildflowers (Fireweed) in...
    by Stephen-KarenConn
  • The only one who doesn't mind the cold weather.
      The only one who doesn't mind the cold...
    by Scandic
  • A beautiful hat, a beautiful girl
      A beautiful hat, a beautiful girl
    by kaloz

Most Recent What to Pack in Anchorage

  • Tugboatguy's Profile Photo

    Pack for the weather and season.

    by Tugboatguy Updated Sep 1, 2007 75 reviews

    4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Luggage and bags: I use a carryon bag with extensible handle and wheels making fast entry and exits from the airport, despite the flight security screening and precautions. Try to avoid a checked bag if you can.

    Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Wear or bring comfortable hiking shoes and thong rubber sandals for shower safety. In August a light rainproof jacket and a Tilley sun hat were enough in Anchorage. The days were 60-64 degrees F and the jacket mainly stayed in the car. Remember to bring a large plastic sack for used clothing that will need washing later. Do NOT take off jewelry, rings or an expensive wristwatch at airport security. They will wand you to find the obvious metal items. A kind lady guard returned one of my rings I inadvertently removed, scolding me never to do that again. So, think before you start stripping yourself of valuables. A wallet or purse will have to go through the X-ray machine; best to hand it to the attendant personally for screening. Watch your bins!

    Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Remember your usual medications, prescription pills and over the counter stuff you normally need. I needed to buy nothing of the sort in Anchorage.

    Photo Equipment: I brought my digital camera and took 455 pictures. I carried spare SD memory cards and the camera battery charger. I use a pocket digital camera about size of a king size cigarette pack (I'm old enough to remember those), and always have the camera with me.

    Miscellaneous: It rained 4 of 6 days in Anchorage in August. Never heavy, sometimes just a mist. Two days on the weekend were glorious sun with beautiful white cloud formations over the nearby mountain ranges.

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  • frankcanfly's Profile Photo

    Fishing Accessories

    by frankcanfly Written Jul 4, 2005 2603 reviews

    3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Luggage and bags: If you plan to fish here, know that you can carry home plenty of the fish on the airline, or you can have it shipped.

    Anchorage International Airport offers freezer storage for about $12 per day if you have a departing airline ticket.

    Call 248-0373 for details

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  • Stephen-KarenConn's Profile Photo

    Not as Frigid as You May Think

    by Stephen-KarenConn Updated Feb 9, 2005 2608 reviews

    4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Summer Wildflowers (Fireweed) in Anchorage

    Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: I have visited Anchorage in June, August, and September, and on those trips have never needed more than a light to medium-weight jacket. Naturally, winter temperatures get quite cold, but because of moderating ocean currents it is no colder here than in the upper mid-western states. In fact, areas of northern Michigan, Minnesota, and adjoining states can be much colder than Anchorage.

    Summertime highs in Anchorage are usually pleasant with high temperatures in the mid 70s or above. Unfortunately they have more cloudy days than clear here in Anchorage and rain is always a possibility. Of course, the weather may vary greatly, so be prepared for more severe weather and hope for the best. There is nothing more glorious than a beautiful sunny day in Alaska.

    Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Anchorage is a modern city with everything that you may need readily available.

    Photo Equipment: Bring all you've got. I took more than 500 pictures on my last trip. If you don't have a telephoto lens you may wish you did to pull in that distant wildlife or scenic shot.

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  • katmai's Profile Photo

    Like an Onion

    by katmai Updated Dec 23, 2004 38 reviews

    3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Luggage and bags: Pack jackets and rain gear. Be ready for anything when it comes to weather here. If you abide by global warming or not know that the weather can be wacky. Most locals are used to it and wear shorts when it's warm-- say 40 degrees. If your more warm blooded it's best to be like an onion and dress in layers. That way you can always "unlayer" if you feel warm enough.

    Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: see above

    Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You can get anything here, at Walmart or otherwise, that you'll need. It may seem a little more expensive though.

    Photo Equipment: zoom lens ability to get good shots of the mountains and wildlife

    Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Think "to stay warm and dry" when packing. If all else fails we have R.E.I..

    Miscellaneous: Insect repellant if visiting in the summer. The misquito is the (unofficial) state bird. (The official state bird, by the way, is the ptarmigan. It's pronounced with the "p" being silent.)

    Related to:
    • Family Travel
    • Hiking and Walking
    • Adventure Travel
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  • Scandic's Profile Photo

    Don't forget warm gloves

    by Scandic Written Jan 17, 2004 373 reviews

    2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    The only one who doesn't mind the cold weather.

    Luggage and bags: Take a backpack if you want to hike around the town. It is very easy way to get knwo this beautiful city and a backpack carries easily all your stuff.

    Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Please, don't forget your gloves. I did and my poor fingers. Even the temperature is not that bad, the windchill increase extre freezing effect. So, take your gloves.

    Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You will find everyhting you need from Anchorage, just in case if you forget soemthing.

    Photo Equipment: Camere sure, but take bag for it and don't leave it to the cold car, even for a while.

    Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: REI is a lace where you can buy everykind of outdoor clothes, but prices, those are way way too high.

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  • spintobecca's Profile Photo

    Winter Packing List

    by spintobecca Updated Jan 17, 2003 187 reviews

    3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Luggage and bags: Feel free to bring nice luggage or sturdy luggage. It will be handled with care.

    Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: There is enough a a city in wish you can bring high heels. Dress smartly and you will attract positive attention. Anchoragites aren't sloppy dressers.. they just dress for the weather.

    Winter List:
    1.Night out shoes
    2.Hiking Shoes (Think dry weather)
    3. Night out evening wear
    4. Jeans/Khakis
    5. Sweaters!!
    6. Fluffy Socks
    7. Smart Wool (or other warm) Jacket
    8. Hat/Gloves

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  • goingsolo's Profile Photo

    waterproof boots, pants and fleece tops

    by goingsolo Written Feb 25, 2003 2750 reviews

    2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Luggage and bags: make sure your bags have a separate compartment for your wet clothes (or better yet, that the clothes you bring dry quickly)

    Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: fleece is a good option, since its warm and dries quickly. Avoid cotton, and even denim, if you're planning on spending a lot of time outside. Both retain water. Also, if you bring an umbrella, especially a touristy one like this be prepared to get laughed at by the locals.

    Related to:
    • Hiking and Walking
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  • EdinburghRoc's Profile Photo

    Packing List

    by EdinburghRoc Written Feb 25, 2003 539 reviews

    2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Russian church

    Luggage and bags: Easy to carry Bags

    Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Boots, rainwear, mosquito repellent.

    Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Tiger Balm ! stops you scraching. Sunscreen.

    Photo Equipment: Lots of film & spare batteries.

    Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: REI in Anchorage can help you out.

    Miscellaneous: Good sleeping BAG ! Good sleeping mat.

    Related to:
    • Adventure Travel
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  • kaloz's Profile Photo

    Packing List

    by kaloz Written Aug 26, 2002 740 reviews

    1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: When visiting anywhere in Alaska, there are some essentials: A proper hat, not a ball cap. Sunglasses, good shoes for walking, and raingear. Also recommended are wellingtons (rubber boots) Alaskans prefer xtra-tuf's

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  • Thomas_akman's Profile Photo

    Packing List

    by Thomas_akman Written Aug 26, 2002 8 reviews

    2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

    Luggage and bags: Something easy to carry. Do not carry what you do not need but carry what you must have to be Warm ,dry, safe.

    Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Most of you will find it Cold here, so if you do not bring a coat plan on buying one. A Hat to protect from Sun and Rain. SUN BLOCK. It is cool so you will not feel yourself getting burnt. Also Bug dope is a must.

    Toiletries and Medical Supplies: If you don't know Diaper wipes the uncented type have many uses. Use your head I need not say more. Perfume is not a good ideal in the bush!!!

    Photo Equipment: Tripod, Long range Zoom lens, Lots of Film. Rain Gear for camera.

    Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: If in the Bush A gun is a good Ideal, The Bears on disney are someones pet. Not what you will find here.

    Miscellaneous: Please remember this Alaska is Very Stunning however if you are unprepared you can die here. If you fall in our water in most places you have less than 5 minutes to live. Wild animals here are really Wild. Moose kill more people than bears do. Disney is a tv show 'not real'.

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