Key Information: Tour Duration: 10
day(s) Group Size: 4
- 5
people Destination(s):Alaska Specialty Categories:Hiking & Trekking Season: June Airfare Included: Yes Tour Customizable: No Minimum Per Person Price: 2950 US Dollar (USD) Maximum Per Person Price: 2950 US Dollar (USD)
The first hiking trip of the season is always my favorite trip of the year; it is a natural classic. Arriving in the mountains as they begin to green and the floral bloom explodes we hike amid spectacular high country and along a traditional caribou migration corridor. As each day unfolds the countryside is greener, more flowers open and the bands of caribou increase in size and frequency. All the while breeding songbirds serenade at almost every hour and the sun never sets. We have built in lots of time for afternoon optional day hikes to climb nearby ridges and mountaintops for the better big picture. By the end we are able to climb for views of the Arctic Ocean and are normally surrounded by caribou. This trip is a buzzer beating half court swish!
Your Itinerary:
Day 1:
Leave Fairbanks on scheduled flight to Arctic Village located on the southern flank of the Brooks Range and gateway to the Arctic Refuge. Shuttle to the put-in in smaller air taxi service. Flight takes one over the Continental Divide - spectacular scenery. Establish camp. Local day hike.
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Day 2:
Each year we run this trip differently depending on how quickly spring is taking hold of the country and how far along the caribou are in their migration. The following is an option we have done a couple years in the past. We hike up the valley to a prominent ridgeline feature at the headwaters and establish a base camp. This half day hike allows time for a shorter day hike to summit a nearby peak.
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Day 3:
Full day hike day. 2 years ago we went on a long hike up a side valley and summited there. Last year we did a figure 8 through camp climbing 2 closer summits.
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Day 4:
Second day hike day. 2 years ago we climbed a ridge to the south and spent the day watch an unbelievable wildlife pageant. Last year we climbed the same ridge at a closer location returned to camp and climbed another nearby mountain.
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Day 5:
Back to backpacking. We begin our hike to the coastal plain traveling in the same direction as most of the caribou. We travel ~4 miles a day which leaves time for afternoon optional hikes.
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Day 6:
Same routine.
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Day 7:
Same routine. There is actually a great ridge to climb from this camp. We can use one final day-off to explore this hike which is absolutely magnificent or save the day for another ridge down valley.
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Day 8:
Move camp. More great ridges to day hike after we finish the hike.
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Day 9:
We should come to a major confluence which is an active area for wildlife. This is the logical area to take the alternate day off. First views of the Arctic ocean.
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Day 10:
We meet the pilot today and begin to retrace our journey, this time south bound. The flight back up the river will be a pleasant reminder of the trip and probably will make much more sense then when you flew in. In Arctic Village, we'll catch the mail plane back to Fairbanks and generally arrive in the late afternoon.
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