Kit for trip to Alaska (Page 2): "Cruise" is an anagram with an "i" thrown in, correct?

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

Bridges wrote:

Cruise with side excursions by car and train.

"Cruise" is an anagram with an "i" thrown in, correct?

Gampa

You’ll see mostly shades of blue in the glaciers (not white).

Red6

markngolf wrote:

I have only three experiences to relate to you:
1. A land/cruise tour of Alaska in 2005 - Carried 40lbs. of photography equipment in a backpack. Loved the experience. Far too much equipment.
2. 2006 land cruise tour of France, Italy and around the boot of the Mediterranean. Wonderful, but far too much equipment.
3. 2018 - River cruise from Prague to Budapest. Fabulous!! Sony RX10 IV. Did not miss any photos. It was the best experience.

Enjoy the trip, Mike!!
Mark

I am in 100% agreement. My experiences are much the same. At first, I carried a lot of gear and used very little. It is much like packing clothes. In your mind, you come up with all these situations in which you will need your entire wardrobe for a 7-8 day trip when actually a couple of pairs of pants and shirts will do.

I think photography is much the same. You visualize all these shots you may have the opportunity to make and you pack gear specifically for that shot. The end result is you carry a lot and use very little. Either the opportunities never materialize OR your situations just do not permit taking the time for the setup. Many times on these trips, if you cannot get the shot in less than a minute or two, you are not getting it. In our earlier days of traveling, I carried a lot of gear and missed great shots while setting up that my wife easily got with her iPhone.

In my experience, faster, wider, and lighter is my rule for lenses. If you have a high-quality wide-angle lens, you can always crop at home to get a tighter shot.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

btbg wrote:

That's your choice but what I'm taking next week t... (show quote)

Just be aware, you will likely experience a lot of poor weather next week. We’ve been having an unusually cloudy, rainy summer and fall. To date the fall colors haven’t shown up, and the leaves are just starting to develop some color. Ordinarily the fall colors would be over by now. So bring some protection for your gear as well as good rain gear for yourself. Let’s just hope we get some decent weather for your trip.

btbg

Wingpilot wrote:

Just be aware, you will likely experience a lot of poor weather next week. We’ve been having an unusually cloudy, rainy summer and fall. To date the fall colors haven’t shown up, and the leaves are just starting to develop some color. Ordinarily the fall colors would be over by now. So bring some protection for your gear as well as good rain gear for yourself. Let’s just hope we get some decent weather for your trip.

It's supposed to rain every day we are in Sitka but the long range forecast indicates that it will be off and on. It will be fine.

I have good rain gear for both my cameras and myself.

Good to know that the fall colors are late this year. Maybe we will finally hit that well.

We might even have access to a car this year which would really help.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

btbg wrote:

It's supposed to rain every day we are in Sitka but the long range forecast indicates that it will be off and on. It will be fine.

I have good rain gear for both my cameras and myself.

Good to know that the fall colors are late this year. Maybe we will finally hit that well.

We might even have access to a car this year which would really help.

I hope your trip comes off well.

btbg

Wingpilot wrote:

I hope your trip comes off well.

Thank you. It is mainly to visit family so no matter the weather we will have a good trip. Hope to get at least one day of fishing and a couple days of photography but it will be good regardless incentive you seem familiar with the weather where in Alaska are you located?

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

Bridges wrote:

This is the kit I will be taking to Alaska in May.... (show quote)

If you are going to be driving the Alaska/Canadian Highway (ALCAN) be sure and bring along couple extra springs for your car or truck, as well as extra shocks, and several spare tires! That is the WORST roadway in the United States labeled “Highway”, bar none. I will never drive it again, NEVER!

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

btbg wrote:

Thank you. It is mainly to visit family so no matter the weather we will have a good trip. Hope to get at least one day of fishing and a couple days of photography but it will be good regardless incentive you seem familiar with the weather where in Alaska are you located?

We live in Wasilla, 40 miles north of Anchorage. Wasilla is situated along mile 40–44 of the Parks Hwy.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

DavidPhares wrote:

If you are going to be driving the Alaska/Canadian Highway (ALCAN) be sure and bring along couple extra springs for your car or truck, as well as extra shocks, and several spare tires! That is the WORST roadway in the United States labeled “Highway”, bar none. I will never drive it again, NEVER!

When did you last drive the Alaska Hwy? Last time I did it was on a motorcycle in 2014 and it was great.

josquin1 Loc: Massachusetts

I hope you have strong shoulders and back.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

When outside, carry both cameras!!! One with as wide zoom as possible, and the other with as much distance (again, zoom) as you have! When in Alaska, at first, I kept changing lens (never the 'right' one on either camera!). I finally concluded/decided to just carry both of my cameras, one for wide, the other as far zoom as possible! The subject matter will be lost in seconds when not totally ready, and prepared!
We were on the ferries, and I spent virtually all of my daylight time outside on the decks! When on excursions, the same policy applies... take too much memory! (and large). Enjoy your trip!