Rain gear pants/jacket
I used a Helly-Hansen Impertech parka and Campmor rainpants. Both were waterproof, NOT waterproof breathable. A different outfitter pointed out that WB (waterproof-breathable) is nice, but needs to be "refreshed" periodically in the drier, and there is no where to "refresh" your gear. It worked fine, though it most certainly was hot. Based on the weather *we* had, I'd go with WB next time.
Fleece pants
For warm pants I chose Campmor microfleece pants. We didn't have much cool weather, but I wore them a few times at the beginning of the trip. They were fine for the purpose.
Convertable pants
I used Sportsman's Guide supplex nylon convertable pants. They worked fine.
Bug shirt and bug pants
I used an Original Bug Shirt shirt and pants. They worked great to keep bugs away. The shirt did a good job of blocking the sun, and they both washed well and dried quite quickly. Can't recommend them enough! And no, I don't work for them and I'm not getting a kick back. Hmm... ?
Marmot Reactor fleece
This was my "heavy" layer. Mine is the 200 weight version. I never used it. Well, that's not true, I used it as a pillow. Had it been cool, it would have felt really nice.
Swim top
For swimming in the river, I guess. I didn't. The river's cold.
5-6 wool socks
I used 4 pairs of heavy wool socks, 1 pair of fleece socks, and 1 pair of neopene socks. I used the neoprene socks when it was cool, and the wool on a daily basis. I used the fleece socks once, in the tent, and wouldn't have missed them had I not taken them.
Water bottles and carry strap
I took two Nalgene bottles and a Coghlan's carrying strap. I only used one bottle, and since we almost never walked away from the river, the carrying strap was not really neaded. I did use it when we went exploring the towns and the Hudson Bay Company sites.
Night bag
This was a gallon ziplock bag that contained a flashlight, an alarm clock (never used as such), dental floss, a hairbrush with integral mirror (you have to see it to appreciate the handiness, but it was), a comb, a pack of travel Kleenex, nail clippers and my MP3 (with a book on it) and spare batteries.
Bandanas
I took two. I never use 'em. But everybody else does, and they always tell me to bring 'em, so I do.
3 T-shirts
I might bring one more if I were to go again. These were all synthetic, and dried quickly. Dark colored shirts don't show the dirt, and there WILL be dirt.
Towel
I took two synthetic towels, one celluloid (or something like that) that you store damp, and the other was of a material like the "personal towel" that the big brand (whose name I can't remember right now) sells. They were both small, and both worked fine. I'd take them again. This is NOT a place for terry cloth towels.
LIGHT COLORED long-sleeve shirt (sun protection, synthetic)
This was for sun protection or a bit of warmth. I chose a synthetic that would dry quickly. I wore it a few times, but the bug shirt really served this purpose well, so I wore it much, much, much more.
2 wool shirts (long underwear weight)
These were for warmth. I wore one, once, for a little warmth. Had the weather been cooler, they would have been appreciated.
Duffle bags (2)
These were for getting my gear TO the trip, and FROM the trip. During the trip, one was empty, but stored in the bottom of the Duluth pack. The other was stored in the Duluth pack during the day, then pulled out at camp, for easy access to my precious stuff. It worked.
Susie bug net
A Clifford Jacobson suggestion. No, I don't know him personally. I read it in his book. I'm a librarian, I LIKE books. I like the Internet, too, but I still like books. About the bug net, I never used it, but mostly because the bug shirt worked sooooo well.
Possibles bag
Old explorers, trappers, etc. had a "possibles" bag, for stuff to use to take care of problems. I had some small carabiners, a needle & thread, some cord, a big bunch of safety-pins, my house key (not handy, but I could find it), a keychain flashlight, and a pocket knife with scissors. Some of it I used, some I didn't. I doubt I'd change anything.
Synthetic long underwear
It's ALASKA and the YUKON... need I explain? I never used it, but it would have felt good had it gotten cold.
Wool long underwear bottoms
I brought these in case it got unexpectedly cold, I'd have backup for the synthetic, and warm pj bottoms. As it turned out, it was just something to carry.
Warm hat
Like bandanas, every list has a warm hat, and I almost never wear it. I think I put it on once, just because if I carried it, I figured I should use it. By about the third day, I don't think I even knew where it was in my stuff.
Waterproof Fleece gloves
Had it been cold, these might have been great. We did paddle one night, and it got down to 36*. I didn't wear them and my hadns didn't get cold.
Latex chemical gloves
A different outfitter's list said that these worked better than paddle gloves. I did use them once or twice, right after I had my wrist wrapped, figuring it would keep the bandage dry. It did that, but I decided just to let the bandage get wet. They DID keep my hands dry, and they did keep the blisters away.
Paddling gloves
I used my NRS paddling gloves a good deal. They didn't keep my hands dry, but they did keep the blisters at bay. After a week and a half, or so, they got put away. I'd take them again. Well, I'll probably need to buy a new pair, because these are pretty worn now, but for good reason.
Underwear
I took some.
Swim shorts (2-3)
For wading and swimming.
Rain hat
I used my Campmor OR Seattle Sombrero. You can tell the Campmor kind because they only have one color, not two, but they're less expensive. It worked. It kept the sun off me, and when it wasn't keeping my head dry when it was raining, I could dip it in the river and put it on my head to keep me cool.
Medicines (2 sets)
Don't forget the Ibuprofen!
Nasal Spray
I use this when I change environments and it keeps my sinuses happy. For $2, I can afford to keep my sinuses happy.
Glasses/retainers
Don't be thinking of going rafting or canoeing or kayaking without a spare set of glasses, and retainers for both. Unless of course you don't use your glasses to SEE.
Mesh bag and dry bag
I use a mesh day pack with a dry bag inside to keep stuff handy when in the boat. It works.
2 pair shoes
I used a pair of Tech Amphibians and a pair of old running shoes. I used both when in camp.
Ditch boots
I used these EVERY DAY when we were on the water. I used them in camp until I was pretty sure I wasn't going to be wading into the water to fetch things, then I'd switch to one of my other shoes. Most people used water shoes on the river, after the weather warmed up a bit. I'd use the ditch boots again in a heartbeat. I may start wearing them to work... .
Sleeping bag (15*)
I used a TNF women's Snowshoe synthetic sleeping bag. I was hiking on the AT a couple of months before, and watched a guy start to turn hypothermic because he had an inadequate bag. I decided then that I didn't want to skimp on something as simple as a sleeping bag. As it turned out, I only even zipped the bag closed once.
Thermarest
I used a 3/4 length Ultralight (1" thick). In hindsight, I might have preferred to take my 2" Thermarest, but I was ok with my Ultralight. I would NOT have liked to only have a closed-cell foam pad.
Smellies ziplock bag
This was a gallon ziplock bag that was put into the barrels every night. It contained things that smelled. In it was a pack of Wet Wipes, two small containers of Sanigel, a container of soap, my toothbrush and breath drops (I use instead of toothpaste, which when you spit out leaves this hiddeous white gunk around that looks like seagull poop---but your opinion may be different), deodorant, an anti-itch bug bite pen, Go-betweens, hand lotion (udder cream), sunscreen (SPF 30, two containers), lip balm (SPF 15), lens cleaners (gotta see, don't I?), superglue (mostly in case I tore a fingernail, but it's always useful, except when it isn't), and three kinds of bug repellent (two Deet, 1 Picaradin).
Autograph bandana, pencils for children
I took a light colored bandana, for members of our group to autograph. I brought a Sharpie for them to use. It's a super lightweight memento. I also took a couple of dozen "pretty" pencils to hand out, should we have been greeted by children. I gave two away to two little kids in Old Crow, and to M's little nephew at the airport in Fairbanks. They were light, and I don't regret carrying any of it.
Cash (traveler’s checks, id, credit cards)
Do I have to explain EVERYTHING to ya? Need stuff? Have cash.
Passport
Same as a above.
Tickets, directions for after the canoe trip
It's important to have your tickets and reservation information once the canoe is out of the picture.
Journal, 2 pens
I used this every day. Some days I used it a lot more than others, but I used it every day.
Camera, batteries, cards, Otterbox for storage
I used this every day.
MP3 player with a book on it, spare batteries
I listened everynight, just before going to sleep.
Ziplocks
I had a variety of gallon, quart, sandwich and snack size. I didn't take pint size because the quart and sandwich sizes are more handy, at least for me.
Binoculars
I never used these. I never had them available when I needed them, and I never needed them when they were available. But I always carry them, just in case. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Nature book about Alaska
I decided not to bring this, but later wished I had instead of, oh, bandanas and binoculars.