Last updated: September 27, 2016
Itinerary
What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
August 2
Meet your guide at 6:30 pm for a pre-trip meeting in Kotzebue
August 3
Fly from the Eskimo village of Kotzebue on the Chukchi Sea. We fly east up the Kobuk River and then into the dramatic mountains of Gates of the Arctic. Landing on a gravel bar near a clear fast river we will unload and set-up camp. After setting up camp, we have the evening to explore the area, climbing a rocky ridge above camp and savoring the view of wilderness as far as the eye can see.
August 4
Wake to the sound of the river near camp and spend the morning exploring nearby. Mid-day we break camp and listen for the plane, scheduled to take us to Kobuk Valley. Once it arrives it is an hour long flight and then we land in the tawny sands of Kobuk dunes. After setting camp up again we can explore the dunes, ponds and forests nearby.
August 5
We have the morning to hike the dunes, searching for last night’s tracks, sliding down the steepest faces or just wondering at this unique arctic landscape. Weather permitting the plane arrives mid-afternoon for the hour long flight back to Kotzebue.
