If a person happens to be lost and stranded out in the winter Alaskan terrain, Bonnie j on Alaska Answers suggests: insulated underwear, warm pants and shirt, a couple pairs of wool socks, a warm hat, a parka, insulated outer pants such as snow machine pants, and insulated footwear such as Bunny boots, or fur-and-moosehide mukluks. In addition, she strongly suggests that each person carry high-calorie food such as pemmican--a dried jerky containing dried fruit, beef suet, powdered milk, seeds, oatmeal and dehydrated vegetables--because a man in these inclement conditions needs up to 6,000 calories a day to survive.
For those less hearty but still adventurous types, vacations and cruises require clothing and other items depending on the trip and the time of year. By May, when each day has 17 hours of light, daytime temperatures average around 55 F and nighttime temperatures get down to around 40 F, wearing layers of clothing including short-sleeved shirts and shorts, long-sleeved shirts, hooded fleece jackets, earmuffs, to windbreakers, warm hat and gloves is the perfect solution. Also, given the area's 17 days or so of rain a month, a light hooded shell or rain jacket is a must. If the trip includes hiking, heavy hiking boots are a good idea if they are comfortable and already worn in. Otherwise, a good light hiking shoe with good traction will suffice.
During summer months, from June through August, temperatures traditionally range from 50 to 80 F during the day and in the 40s and 50s at night. However, Alaska.org claims that over the last few years, Alaska summer temperatures have been hot and sunny, with most days reaching 75 F. Some vacation needs during this time include sunglasses; sunscreen; hair ties for long hair; exercise, walking or athletic socks; sneakers; regular underwear; jeans; hat, cap or sun visor; T-shirts; swim suit; and a lightweight winter cap, scarf and gloves in case the weather turns chilly.
Alaska.org also suggests long underwear for bottoms and tops that can be worn under shirts or blouses when the weather turns chilly or by themselves when the weather gets hot. The middle insulating layer should consist of long underwear, a sweater or a fleece jacket. The site suggests that lightweight, warm synthetics work better than do wool or cotton. The outer layer should be a waterproof, breathable shell that is dry when rainy and warm in wind. Bring at least two pairs of socks and two pairs of comfortable lightweight walkers with good traction. Alaska.org also recommends shoes made out of Gore-Tex material because this fabric is waterproof and breathable.
Fall, late August to the end of September, gets slightly cooler and has fewer hours of daylight per 24-hour period. For all of Alaska, Travel Alaska suggests jeans or slacks, long-sleeved shirts or blouses, long underwear, insulated boots, a warm hat and gloves, a jacket or windbreaker, a fiberfill vest, a wool sweater, and a winter coat.
