Okpik Gear List
Okpik strives to make winter camping as easy as possible by providing crews with almost everything they need for their expedition. All food is prepacked by your interpreter, and ready to go on arrival. All cooking gear – stoves, fuel, pots, utensil kit, etc. – await inspection upon arrival. All the tools necessary for spending several nights in the elements, from snow shovels to four season tents.
In addition, almost all significant recreational equipment is available free of charge. Snowshoes, cross-country skis, and basic ice fishing equipment are all stocked ready-for-use in our Bay Post.
Similarly, Okpik has the capacity to outfit participants with almost all personal clothing. Participants must bring their own hats, long underwear, socks, sleeping bag, flashlight, bowl, and spoon; Okpik can provide the rest. Cold-weather sleeping bags, sleeping pads, fleece pants, fleece tops, wind pants, wind jackets (anoraks), mukluks (snow moccasins), boots, water bottles and more are provided by Okpik's outfitting.
However, better prepared scouts and advisors have more satisfying trips. While Okpik provides most of the gear you might need, acquiring your own gear (which you can break in beforehand) may increase your comfort. Okpik participants are strongly advised to read the Okpik Coldweather Camping Guide to give themselves a basic understanding of cold-weather camping practices before they arrive.
What to bring?
Okpik provides almost all of the gear required for a safe and satisfying winter camping adventure. However, each individual and each crew will need to bring some of their own personal gear.
Group Gear:
- All crews are required to bring their own First Aid kit
Personal Gear:
- Required:
- 2 Winter Hats (preferably fleece)
- 2 pairs of synthetic long underwear (tops and bottoms; NO COTTON)
- 2 pairs liner gloves (If participating in Dog Trek or Musher Camp)
- 2-3 pairs wool socks (bring more depending on length of trip
- Sleeping bag. If you have a cold weather sleeping bag, bring it. Otherwise, a summer or 3-season bag will be sufficient (we can outfit you with a cold weather bag)
- Headlamp or flashlight (MUST HAVE – days are short in the winter)
- Toiletry articles (toothbrush, toothpaste)
- Cup, bowl, and spoon - NOT metal
- Stuff sack or small duffel bag for all personal gear
- Items for showering (towel, soap, etc.) and clothes to go home
- Sunglasses
- The following items are available in limited quantities. You may feel more comfortable in your own:
- 2 pairs wool or fleece pants (Hard to fit XX-L and XXX-L - recommend bringing your own)
- 2 sweaters - preferably wool or polar fleece - NO COTTON (Hard to fit XX-L and XXX-L - recommend bringing your own)
- Recommended:
- Scarf or Neck Gaitor
- Pocketknife/Matches/Bandana
- Sunscreen and Chapstick
- OKPIK provided, but feel free to bring your own:
- 2-3 pairs of mittens (mittens are warmer than gloves)
- 1 winter jacket (Hard to fit XX-L and XXX-L - recommend bringing your own)
- 1 pair snowpants or rainpants (Hard to fit XX-L and XXX-L - recommend bringing your own)
- Skis and snowshoes
- Warm/winter boots (Sorels or Kamiks) with removable liners