Caribou Base Camp – Nash Custom

Caribou Base Camp – Nash Custom

DATES

June 20, 2017 - June 26, 2017

REGION

Arctic Refuge

TRIP COST

$8,000/ person

calendar

DATES

June 20, 2017 - June 26, 2017
region

REGION

Arctic Refuge
price

TRIP COST

$8,000/ person

Caribou are an icon of the north and a charismatic part of the Arctic. During late June, after they calve, caribou form great herds with tens of thousands of animals walking flank to flank across the greening tundra in a world-class wildlife spectacle. We regularly see thousands and even tens of thousands of caribou climbing tundra ridges and swimming icy rivers.

TRIP DETAILS

Last updated: October 9, 2017

Itinerary

What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.

June 16 or alternate

On your way through Fairbanks, join us for a pre-trip meeting. This will be an opportunity to meet face to face and discuss the trip at length. We will also make sure you have proper equipment for yourselves and will put a portion of the camp gear into your vehicle for the drive north.

June 17 - 19

Make your way north by road. We can help you arrange a day-trip to Teshekpuk Lake with the pilot if you so desire, but these days are on your own.

June 20

Meet both your pilot and your guide at Happy Valley then fly east into the Arctic Refuge in search of caribou and the perfect campsite.

June 21- 25

Days are yours to enjoy as you see fit. Your guide will provide guidance, good cooking, and local knowledge. Plan on hiking from camp most days. When or if you want the pilot to return to move the camp or simply to take you flying he will try to make himself available.

June 26

The pilot returns and shuttles you back to your vehicle and your guide to Deadhorse. Drive back to Fairbanks on your own and at your leisure.

 

Such a joy to spend days where time was meaningless.  A wonderful adventure and I would like to return next year for a longer, more challenging trip.

You mentioned to me in an email that you have terrific guides - you do indeed.  Dave is a superb guide. He is personable, knowledgeable about the Arctic, and has excellent group management skills. I appreciated the time he spent teaching me to read the map, which is not easy without trails.   He allowed Adrian and me to hike at our own pace and he encouraged all of us to explore the area surrounding our campsites. I know the others would concur in my praise.

- Sandra, California, USA

DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Round-trip airfare from Fairbanks to Deadhorse for your guide

Food while in the wilderness, stoves, cooking & eating utensils

Safety & repair gear

Professional guide service

13 hours of charter time with a Cessna 180

Use of any “rental equipment” you need for the duration of the trip

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Transportation for you from your home to Happy Valley, nor return.

Non-camp lodging

Non-camp meals

Personal clothing and gear

Gratuity for guide

WEATHER & BUGS

Temperatures vary from the 70’s to below freezing. Snow is possible; rain is likely. However, this time of the year we generally have lots of sunny weather. There could be bugs, so bring a mosquito head net and a small bottle of DEET repellent just in case.

RECOMMENDED READING

Seasons of Life and Land,Shubanker Banjeeri; Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Geographic; Being Caribou, Karsten Heuer; Arctic Dreams, Barry Lopez; Midnight Wilderness,Debbie Miller; Fifty Years Below Zero Charles Brown; Caribou & the Barren-Lands, George Calef. You may also find this link of interest- Porcupine Herd Movements Animation. More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore.

"The wilderness was spectacular, the leadership perfect."
"I am just finishing my tenth trip with you guys. As always, the trip was more than I expected and I had a great time. See you next year!"
"Of all outfitters with whom we have worked (and that is quite a number), you were by far the most organized and responsive."
"That feeling of wide open wonder, the possibilities for nearly limitless wandering, and the image of those proud caribou...that will stay with me a long time"
"Our guide was an encyclopedia on legs. He was always willing and ready to teach, to talk, to listen, to do another hike, or to lie low in camp if we were beat. He truly gave us the trip we wanted!"
client client client client client
Eileen - Canning River