Clothing to Keep You Warm for Half or Full/Multi Day Trips
We are excited that you are joining us and it’s going to be fun! Mushing sled dogs in Alaska is amazing and to enjoy it we want you to be warm. It’s not hard to do if you have the right layering system of clothing.
Avoid cotton at all possible, as it will hold moisture. Staying dry is a main component of being warm in winter. Cotton will stay damp from exertion and will wick heat away from your body.
You may find yourself surprised that dogsledding is at times very active, so we dress in layers that can be easily added or taken off. When putting your clothing together remember to keep clothing loose. Tight fitting winter gear restricts your movement and blood flow. Everything should be comfortably on the loose side.
We will supply your last warmth layer of arctic clothing which will include an Alaskan style Anorak Parka,Heavy over bibs, gauntlet mitts to go over you gloves, musher hat,and insulated over boots that will go over your insulated hiking type boot.
THE LIST
Here’s What You Should Bring
Waist Up
Long underwear top. This should be medium or expedition weight. Remember, this must be synthetic or wool. (no cotton)
Second midweight layer upper body: Midweight fleece or wool top that fits comfortably over your long underwear.
Third midweight layer upper body: Wool or Polypropylene sweater. Double check that it is loose enough over your two other layers.
Forth midweight layer upper body: Down or synthetic vest that has loft. This will want to be nice and puffy.
Fifth upper body layer: Winter grade insulated synthetic or down filled parka. You’ll want one that is the length of a ski parka that is no longer than your upper thigh. You’ll want to be able to walk freely with this on.
Lower Body
Underwear: Silk or synthetic. *Whatever you usually wear woks fine for half day trips.
Socks – You’ll need two kinds: First you’ll need light weight liner socks made of polypropylene or Capilene that will move moisture away from your feet. Second, over the liner socks you want to be wearing crew length heavy wool or wool/synthetic blend socks.
Many heavy socks are sold with cotton/wool blend. Please stay away from these as they will cause you trouble down the trail.
Long underwear bottom: This should be medium heavy or expedition weight, synthetic or wool.
Second midweight layer: Heavy weight polypropylene synthetic fleece pants or synthetic down filled Primoloft pants. *For half day trips and inexpensive non- cotton workout pant works great.
Third layer: Nylon snow pants. If you have ski pants they work very well. These should have an element of insulation to them rather than nylon only.
The Other Ends
Your head: A heavy wool or Fleece hat works best. Many folks love to wear balaclava hats. If you bring one, I would recommend the type that does not cover your nose and mouth at all times. You’ll want one that will allow you to have your nose and mouth exposed.
Hands: You’ll need two types of gloves. One is very inexpensive which is a pair of thin polypropylene liner gloves. You’ll be using your hands to hitch up your team and needing dexterity. The second glove is a pair of heavy-duty winter glove used for skiing or outside winter activities.
Feet: We’ll supply you with an over boot that is insulated and will fit right over your hiking shoes that you wear. If you own a warm winter boot feel free to bring them. However, please bring a hiking type shoe just in case we feel your boots are not warm enough.
Be sure your shoes fit to give your toes plenty of room to wiggle with the wool socks and liner you’ll be wearing. Tight feet are cold feet in Alaska.
In our home we live by the Alaskan tradition of taking shoes off in the house. Feel free to enjoy our home in your wool socks or bring some comfortable house slippers.
Miscellaneous
Small day pack – personal care essentials – baseball cap – sunglasses – camera. To find great shops for outdoor adventure gear check out our blog “Great Expectations at Wayfinder Kennel!“.
What We Provide
We’ll provide the over layers of arctic clothing that will go over your clothing gear. This will include arctic parka and bibs, Alaskan mushing hat, neck gaiters and gauntlet over mitts. If you are joining us for one of our overnight camping adventures, we’ll also have headlights, sleeping bags, tents and all the essentials of having fun winter camping. Expect great food and snacks as well.
The most common issue we see is that folks get chilly because their clothing layers are too tight and restrictive. Be sure that when you put on all your layers that you can move about easily and that your arms and legs are not feeling bound up.
After going over this list we will spend time together over the phone or Skype to be sure you have all you need to be comfortable. This is going to be fun. 🙂
To be ready for you, we will need some basic sizing information.
Would you please send us the following information?
Height ______
Weight______
Shoe size______
Unisex t-shirt size_______
I look so forward to greeting you at our home and kennel.
Happy Trails,
Linwood
