Last updated: January 24, 2020
Itinerary
What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
Day 0
Meet your guides for a pre-trip meeting at 4pm in Fairbanks at Arctic Wild headquarters.
Day 1
Take a morning “mail-plane” from Fairbanks north across the Yukon River and the Arctic Circle to the tiny village/ truck stop called Coldfoot. In Coldfoot we meet our pilot and load our “bush-plane” for scenic flight over countless peaks to an area where we hope caribou will be heading over the passes en route to the arctic-slope. The plane will land on skis near a grove of spruce which will be our shelter and firewood. Once we unload and say good bye, we will set up a sturdy, comfortable camp which will serve as our base for the week. After several hours of settling in we will be hungry for a big meal. One of the luxuries of winter camping is that frozen foods are no problem. Ice cream anyone?
Day 2-6
Each day will bring its own surprises. Lines of caribou walking single file through the snow? A Northern Hawk-Owl perched in camp? Dall sheep on a snow free ridge-top? Arctic Grayling in a spring-fed pool of the river?
Each morning we can plan a new adventure or opt to enjoy the views and comfort of camp. With nearly endless daylight, our schedule is dictated only by weather and whim. Each day we will explore this unparalleled wilderness admiring, experiencing, and photographing its wonders. You will be free to experience the wilderness and the wildlife at your own pace.
Day 7
After breakfast and packing up our camp we turn our attention to the sky and listen for our airplane. When we hear the plane coming we take one last look at the seemingly endless wilderness and prepare for the long flight back towards Fairbanks. We should arrive in Fairbanks in time to shower by dinner.
