Backpacking in the Land of Extremes, the Brooks Range, Alaska
Sierra Club Outings Trip | Backpack
Highlights
- Enjoy one of the last wild places on earth
- Experience the land of the midnight sun
- Observe caribou, bears, and other wildlife
Includes
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Round-trip flights from Fairbanks to the Refuge
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All meals (vegetarian friendly) and cooking gear
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All permits and associated fees
Overview
The Trip
In June the tundra and mountains north of the Arctic Circle are bathed in 24-hour daylight as the long winter releases its icy grip on the landscape. We will witness the tundra transform from its winter brown to a green carpet of wildflowers. During the brief spring and summer, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a land of wild rivers rushing with snowmelt, ranging predators, migrating birds, prolific wildflowers, and the vast Porcupine caribou herd on its annual migration from eastern Canada to its ancestral calving grounds on the Coastal Plain
The Trip
In June the tundra and mountains north of the Arctic Circle are bathed in 24-hour daylight as the long winter releases its icy grip on the landscape. We will witness the tundra transform from its winter brown to a green carpet of wildflowers. During the brief spring and summer, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a land of wild rivers rushing with snowmelt, ranging predators, migrating birds, prolific wildflowers, and the vast Porcupine caribou herd on its annual migration from eastern Canada to its ancestral calving grounds on the Coastal Plain.
Our trip will visit a particularly scenic and wildlife-rich part of the Refuge. After being dropped off by bush plane near the edge of the coastal plain, we will travel cross country to experience the refuge. Each day our distance and route will vary depending on the terrain and weather. We will eventually make our way back to the landing strip to be picked up by our bush pilot.
The goals of our journey will be to see the area's abundance of wildlife and birdlife, enjoy the stunning scenery along our route, and experience the vastness and solitude of true wilderness. At camp we will have the opportunity to hear evening readings from Alaskan and arctic-themed literature, and to discuss the day's adventures and some of the current conservation issues involving the Refuge and Alaska. In addition to having the personal experience of a lifetime and a lot of fun, by visiting this vast, remote and wild place, participants will come to appreciate its unique beauty and importance as an undisturbed refuge for wildlife
Itinerary
Before our trip begins we will meet in downtown Fairbanks to discuss the trip and go over our gear and supplies. There should be an opportunity to visit various points of interest in Fairbanks, including the University of Alaska Museum of the North, the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, the Large Animal Research Station at the UA Fairbanks campus, Creamer's Field wildlife refuge, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and downtown Fairbanks with its variety of attractions, shopping, and eateries
Before our trip begins we will meet in downtown Fairbanks to discuss the trip and go over our gear and supplies. There should be an opportunity to visit various points of interest in Fairbanks, including the University of Alaska Museum of the North, the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, the Large Animal Research Station at the UA Fairbanks campus, Creamer's Field wildlife refuge, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and downtown Fairbanks with its variety of attractions, shopping, and eateries.
Day 1: Early on the first day of our trip, we will fly north from Fairbanks via regional air service to the Gwich'in settlement of Arctic Village. From there we will shuttle via bush plane in a spectacular flight over the Brooks Range to an airstrip in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We will camp nearby the first night.
Days 2-11: On the second day we will begin our hike across the tundra. Each night we will make camp and refresh ourselves by eating enjoyable meals and sleeping in the Land of the Midnight Sun. We will continue our journey through the refuge, returning to our original airstrip and picked up by our pilot.
The pace of our approximate journey will be moderate but steady. We'll hike approximately 6-7 miles a day, taking time to watch and photograph wildlife, enjoy the vastness of the landscape, and explore interesting places we find along the way.
Day 12: We will end our trip with another spectacular flight by bush plane from the Refuge landing strip to Arctic Village, and then by scheduled air service to Fairbanks. The adventure usually ends with a final group meal in Fairbanks.
Logistics
Getting There
Fairbanks is served daily by a number of scheduled airline flights, either directly from some airports in the lower 48 states or connecting through Anchorage. You must schedule your flights or other travel arrangements so that you arrive at least one full day (preferably two days) before our scheduled trip departure. This allows time for pre-trip organization and any delays in the arrival of your gear and baggage. Your departure from Fairbanks should be scheduled at least a full day after our scheduled return date to allow for possible delays in our return due to weather or other conditions
Getting There
Fairbanks is served daily by a number of scheduled airline flights, either directly from some airports in the lower 48 states or connecting through Anchorage. You must schedule your flights or other travel arrangements so that you arrive at least one full day (preferably two days) before our scheduled trip departure. This allows time for pre-trip organization and any delays in the arrival of your gear and baggage. Your departure from Fairbanks should be scheduled at least a full day after our scheduled return date to allow for possible delays in our return due to weather or other conditions.
Accommodations and Food
The cost of lodging and food in Fairbanks before and after the trip is not included in the trip price. The leaders can recommend several places to stay in Fairbanks for the two nights before the trip and the one night after. All nights in the Refuge will be spent camping. All meals and snacks are provided for the entire trip beginning with lunch on the first day through lunch on the last day. The menu can accommodate vegetarians, but not vegans. The menu will include dairy items. We may be able to accommodate other dietary considerations.
The Sierra Club will furnish stoves, pots, cooking gear, and fuel. All meals will be prepared and eaten as a group, and everybody will be required to take turns assisting in the preparation of meals, cleaning up afterwards, and helping with other camp chores. Water in this area of the Refuge is very clean and many travelers (including the leaders) drink it without filtration or treatment. However, on our trip all water used in food preparation will be either boiled or treated. Individual participants wishing to treat water for their personal use should provide their own purification equipment.
Trip Difficulty
We will be hiking in a rugged wilderness area with no improved trails. Hiking will be on tundra, river bars, and wildlife trails. The length of our daily distances typically will not exceed 6-8 miles and elevation gain will be up to 1,000 feet. Although we will not be trekking long distances, this trip is rated "moderately strenuous." This is based on the lack of established trails, the need to cross streams and rivers, the need to traverse rugged terrain, and the highly variable nature of Arctic weather and wilderness travel. Therefore, participants should be in good physical condition with experience hiking off-trail in wilderness terrain. Also, it is likely that we may be hiking with wet feet as crossing streams, rivers and soggy terrain will be necessary.
Equipment and Clothing
Participants should appreciate they will be outside for the entire trip with little opportunity to be sheltered out of the weather except when in camp. Because of the changeable weather, participants should be prepared to camp and to be active in rain and other adverse weather, sometimes for several days at a time. Proper equipment selection is critical and all equipment should be field tested before trip departure. We especially urge you to bring only high-quality and rainproof clothing and boots; high-quality, lightweight pack, tent, sleeping bag and other equipment; good binoculars; and as little of everything else as possible.
Participants are responsible for supplying their own tent, backpack, sleeping bag, pad, rain gear, personal mess kit, clothing and personal items. In addition to their personal gear, when we are backpacking each participant will be expected to carry approximately 12-15 pounds of group food and gear. The weight of your personal gear will need to be limited accordingly. Confirmed participants will receive a detailed equipment list after signup.
The remoteness of the Refuge requires that we be self-sufficient for the duration of our trip. Leaders will carry an extensive first-aid kit and a satellite phone for communicating with our pilot and for use in medical or other emergencies.
The weather in the Refuge at this time of year is usually mild, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s. However, it can be warmer or cooler and it is very changeable at any time. You should anticipate and be prepared for strong sun, fog, drizzle to heavy rain, strong winds, and a wide range of temperatures. Below freezing temperatures and snow is possible, especially near the coast and in the high mountains. Temperatures in June can range from well below freezing to T-shirt weather. Rain is likely for some portion of the trip. If you are prepared, and can greet adverse weather as part of the adventure -- not as an ordeal -- you will enjoy this trip.
References
Books:
- Pielou, E.C., Field Guide to the Arctic. (University of Chicago Press). This book won the Western Book Award for Creative Nonfiction in 1995 and is very readable natural history and science.
- Kaye, Roger, The Last Great Wilderness: The Campaign to Establish the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (University of Alaska Press 2006). Comprehensive history of the effort and political dealings to establish the Refuge.
- Wohlforth, Charles, The Whale and the Supercomputer. A well-researched study of climate change effects in the Alaskan Arctic.
- Miller, Debbie S., Midnight Wilderness-Journeys in Alaska 's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Alaska Northwest Books 1990 & 2000). An excellent compilation of the author's journeys in the Refuge.
- Madsen, Ken, Under the Arctic Sun-Gwich'in, Caribou & the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Earthtales Press 2002).
- Kantner, Seth, Ordinary Wolves. (Milkweed Editions 2004). Acclaimed novel about growing up in modern Inupiat culture.
- Kantner, Seth, Shopping for Porcupine: Life in Arctic Alaska. (Milkweed Editions 2008). Collection of short stories and photography about the author's life growing up in western Alaska.
- Bornman, Walter R., Alaska: Saga of a Bold Land. A well-written comprehensive history of Alaska.
- Calef, George, Caribou and the Barren Lands.
- Banerjee, Subhankar, Seasons of Life and Land.
- Murie, Margaret, Two in the Far North.
Websites & videos:
- US Fish & Wildlife Service/Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: http://arctic.fws.gov/index.htm
- NOAA National Weather Service for Fairbanks, AK: http://pafg.arh.noaa.gov/
- Northern Alaska Environmental Center: http://www.northern.org
- Pew Center on Global Climate Change: http://www.pewclimate.org/
Conservation
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the last intact large-scale ecological systems in the world, and protecting it is among the highest priorities of nearly every major environmental organization. At this time the Refuge is under considerable political pressure by both resource development advocates and by the effects of climate change.
During our trip we will discuss the conservation, economic and other issues affecting exploitation of Alaska's natural resources. We'll also discuss the opening of the Refuge to energy development, the effort to designate all of the Refuge as wilderness, and the short- and long-term effects of climate change that are affecting the Alaskan Arctic. Participants will also learn how to keep abreast of developments affecting the Refuge and Arctic Ocean, and how to become advocates for their protection.
Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.
Staff
Important Notes
- Carbon Offsets
- Carpooling
- Electronic Billing and Forms
- Electronic Devices
- Equipment
- Essential Eligibility Criteria
- How to Apply for a Trip
- Leader Gratuities
- Medical Issues
- Non-discrimination Statement
- Participant Agreement
- Seller of Travel Disclosure
- Single Supplements
- Terms and Conditions
- Travel Insurance
- Trip Feedback
- Trip Price
- Wilderness Manners