Gates of the Arctic | Nigu River | Alaska Rafting
Eskimo Caribou Fence photo
Rafting and Hiking in Gates of the Arctic. Artifacts, Animals and Adventure.
• Dates: August 16th- 25th, 2010
• Region: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Western Arctic, Brooks Range and Foothills to the Etiviluk River and then the Colville River.
• Cost: $4,400 per person includes everything north of Fairbanks. Affordable rental camping gear available.
Sketch of the trip…
Gates of the Arctic National Park is unmatched in beauty and remoteness. The
Nigu flows north from Gates of the Arctic treating its
few visitors to; solitude, exciting wildlife encounters and abundant
Eskimo artifacts. This arctic rafting adventure is a great chance to
enjoy some fun paddling, learn about the natural and human history of
the area, and relax in this exceptional northern wilderness.
Each fall caribou by the thousands migrate up the Nigu River. The rich brown of their fall coats contrasts with the yellows and reds of the autumn tundra. Caribou are in their prime and are laying on fat reserves to see them through the long arctic winter. As we make our way down the Nigu we will see caribou feeding in small mountain valleys, down on the river plain and along the rich sedge covered ridges. Caribou in August tend to travel in modest groups of 10, 20 or a couple hundred animals. They maintain a leisurely pace heading generally south, feeding and resting. Caribou an be a constant presence filling the country with life and activity. Caribou are not the only animals along the Nigu. Grizzly bears, wolves, musk oxen and a seemingly limitless number of birds frequent the area too. Hilltop
lookouts alongside the river allow us to scan for both predator and prey moving over the open terrain. Lakes along the river nourish migratory
waterfowl like pin-tail ducks, tundra swans and scaup.
The Nigu was a seasonal home to Eskimos and artifacts of their lives are everywhere. It is a rich land in the fall as the caribou from the Western Arctic Caribou Herd migrate through. Over the generations Eskimo hunters built miles and miles of stone fences (pictured left) to direct the caribou toward ambushes where they were speared, often from kayaks. Standing on a low ridge amongst miles of caribou fences is to step back in time to see and almost feel the ancient Eskimo hunters employing knowledge and ingenuity to harvest caribou from this arctic landscape. In addition to the stone fences and inuksuks (stone cairns made to look like people standing on a ridge), we can find tent rings, stone tools and other signs of ancient and historic habitation.
We join the Nigu where it flows among small river bluffs at the northern edge of Gates of the Arctic National Park. As it rolls slowly through the mountainous Brooks Range, it makes a bend to the north, and plunges downhill in a series of swift Class II drops, and joins with the Etiviluk River for the rest of its run to the mighty Colville. On its way, the Nigu cuts through the low, weather-swept hills of the arctic slope, which makes for expansive views and intimate moments beneath sheer river bluffs.
On our paddle from the headwaters to the Nigu’s confluence with the Colville River, we have three layover-days to absorb this fantastic landscape. Hiking is excellent along the way, perhaps the best hiking in the Brooks Range in terms of variety. In the headwaters we can hike tall peaks, and down river, we can spread out on the long and colorful ridge systems. that rise from the arctic plain like whale backs. Fishing for grayling is good enough to keep us in fish, but not diverse or active enough for serious anglers.
We will be as far as you can get from towns or roads in the United States
of America. This river trip offers excellent opportunities for solitude
and remoteness. The Nigu is one of the few wilderness study areas in
Alaska, and one day the entire watershed may be included into Gates of
the Arctic National Park.
This is a moderately difficult, 90-mile river trip. In the beginning, the river is slow moving and shallow, and will require that we get out to nudge the boat over shoals if the water is low. Later on, the river is swift, though still shallow in places. Everyone has a paddle and everyone will get to join in the fun and work of making our way down river. Rafting experience is not required as instruction is provided. Each of the two rafts is captained by one of our experienced and professional guides.
What follows is a forecast of the trip, a general idea of the flow of events.
As a forecast, it may be amended to meet conditions and opportunities in the field.
Day 1: Fly north from Fairbanks across the Yukon River to the village of Coldfoot, nestled on the southern flanks of the Brooks Range. From here, we catch a plane that will fly us northwest over Gates of the Arctic National Park to a gravel bar alongside the remote Nigu River. After unloading the airplane and carrying our gear to the river we will make camp on a nice gravel bar with views of mountains all around.
Days 2-9: After a hearty breakfast, we’ll inflate and load the rafts, then head downstream. For the next 9 days we will trade of with days on the river and lay-over days to explore our surroundings with day hikes, fishing, exploring old Eskimo sites or just relaxing around camp. The time is yours to do as you wish. We will provide guidance, natural history knowledge and encouragement to explore this vast and wild landscape.
Day 10: We spend the morning listening for our plane. When it arrives we load our gear and head towards Fairbanks, awestruck by the scenery the whole way. A hot shower is in order.
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.
All boating gear, including boats and paddles.
The use of one life jacket and one medium-sized dry bag 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.
Large waterproof dry bag (one with shoulder strap recommended).
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
Large dry bag
A River Trip Equipment List is provided upon registration or request.
Weather & Bugs: A variety of weather is likely, including rainy periods and bright sunny conditions. Temperatures can range from the 70's down into the 30's. Snow is possible. Bug season will be long over but bring a little DEET just in case.
Suggested Reading: Alaska Wilderness, Robert Marshall; We Live in the Arctic, Constance Helmericks; Arctic Wild, Lois Crisler; Make Prayers to the Raven, Richard Nelson; North Alaska Chronicle, John Martin Campbell.