Last updated: December 22, 2020
Itinerary
What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
Day 0
Meet your guide(s) in Fairbanks for a pre-trip meeting at 4 pm.
Day 1
Fly from Fairbanks 250 miles north, across the Yukon River to the frontier settlement of Bettles. From here we transfer to a smaller floatplane and fly west another 100 miles along the southern flanks of the Brooks Range to Walker Lake. En route, watch for moose feeding in ponds and bears on the hillsides.
Day 2
We spend a layover day here, settling into our surroundings, hiking to a sweeping view of the route ahead, exploring the lake, and fishing for lake trout, grayling and northern pike.
Day 3 - 9
We’ll raft and hike and fish our way down the Kobuk. On each “moving day,” we’ll aim to make about 20 miles, roughly six hours of paddling. We will try and place camps where the river swings closest to the mountains for great hiking opportunities. There will be free time each and every day—after camp is pitched you’re free to do as you please. Your guide(s) will offer informal natural history hikes, but you are always welcome to strike off alone. And don’t forget the fishing!
Day 10
Weather permitting our plane picks us up for a flight along the Kobuk River, and on towards Fairbanks.
