Autumn Caribou Basecamp |Gates of the Arctic| Wildlife and Photography
PDF of Gates of the Arctic Caribou Basecamp
• Dates: August 9 through 16, 2010.
• Region: Gates of the Arctic National Park. Northern Fotthills and Mountains.
• Cost: $3,900 from Fairbanks. Affordable rental
camping gear is available.
Gates of the Arctic National Park is a land of rugged peaks and serene lakes. This exceptional National Park straddles the Continental Divide in the Brooks Range; northbound rivers drain gravel-filled creeks, shallow lakes and snow capped crags en route to the Arctic Ocean. Southbound rivers wind past ridge after treeless ridge on their way to the great interior forests along the Yukon River.
On this year’s Autumn Caribou Basecamp trip we will charter a plane to deposit us in the path of the migrating herds as they head from the tundra south toward the northern forests. From our vantage in the headwaters of the Nigu we have opportunities daily to watch wildlife and explore on foot. With no pre-set schedule and practically endless daylight we will experience a bounty of time unparalleled. Our camp will be simple and comfortable. Meals will be hearty and delicious. Our days will be filled with adventures of our choosing. The country offers limitless opportunities for hiking, ranging from arduous ascents to leisurely (though trail-less) strolls.
On previous trips wildlife encounters have ranged from watching herds of caribou wander through camp, to watching loons tend to their young, to falling asleep to the howl of wolves. We never know what we will see, but we will keep our eyes, ears and spotting scope peeled for the four-legged and winged residents of the area.
Of course we are not the first people to come to the Nigu in search of caribou. Nunamiut Eskimos have always known
that this is a good place to find caribou in the fall. Signs of ancient Eskimo use of the land are everywhere. Stone fences used to funnel caribou can be seen on low ridges, tent rings can be found along the river, and we may even find some spearheads or other worked stone left from a not so distant time when caribou were synonomous with survival in the Brooks Range.
After a week of exploring the area we will take one last cast of the fishing rod or one last scan of the hills for caribou and then load the plane for the trip back to town. Please join us for a week of both relaxation, and adventure in one of the wildest and most scenic areas of Alaska.
Day 1: We fly from Fairbanks to the tiny village of Coldfoot where we meet with our bush pilot From here we load into a smaller plane especially equiped for wilderness landings and head across Gates of the Arctic, gawking at the mountains and wildlife below
Days 2-7: We spend our time exploring the area looking for caribou and other wildlife. Your guide will lead daily hikes in to place ourselves in a hidden location in the path of the caribou. Bands of caribou often follow predictable trails across the tundra. We can lay in wait, cameras ready as the Nunamiut did with spears, bows and firearms. When not photographing or watching caribou, we can hike the mountains, fish the river or just enjoy the solitude.
Day 8: We say our last goodbyes and meet our bush pilot for our flight back to Coldfoot and then on to Fairbanks for hot showers and a soft bed!
Included in the price of the trip:
Transportation beyond Fairbanks.
Outstanding guide service.
Wholesome, delicious, and mostly-organic food while in the wilderness.
Stoves, cooking & eating utensils.
Repair and safety equipment such as firearm (guide will carry) and one bear spray per guest.
Not included in the price of the trip:
Non-camp lodging.
Non-camp meals.
Personal clothing, and footwear.
Sleeping bag & sleeping pad.
Three-season tent.
Waterproof camera case.
Fishing gear and fishing license.
Gratuity for guide(s).
Arctic Wild rents high quality gear at affordable rates. Rental gear includes:
Three-season tents
Sleeping bags
Sleeping pads
Rubber raingear bibs
Rubber raingear jackets
Rubber boots
An Equipment List is provided upon registration.
Weather & Bugs: Temperatures vary dramatically in the Arctic and can range from the 30s to 70s. August is the begining of fall and we can expect some rain and or some cold nights. Early August can also have some very mild sunny weather. Chances are, we will see a little bit of everything in terms of weather. The bugs should be just about gone but bring some DEET and a headnet just in case.
Suggested Reading: Arctic Wild, Lois Crisler; Ordinary Wolves, Seth Kantner; Mind of the Raven, Bernd Heinrich. In a Hungry Country, Simon Paneak and John Campbell.