Marsh Fork of the Canning – Tankersley Custom

Marsh Fork of the Canning – Tankersley Custom

DATES

June 22, 2019 - June 29, 2019

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

TRIP COST

$6,100/ person for a party of 6

calendar

DATES

June 22, 2019 - June 29, 2019
region

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
price

TRIP COST

$6,100/ person for a party of 6

The Canning River is the largest river in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and many claim it to be the most beautiful. Our journey through the wilderness is designed to immerse you in the beauty of this exceptional area, with ample time for hiking in the high country and some fun days on the water. Diversity in wildlife and birds will keep you wanting your binoculars handy.

TRIP DETAILS

Last updated: September 20, 2018

Itinerary

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

June 21

Meet your guides for a pre-trip meeting at 4 pm at Arctic Wild headquarters in Fairbanks.

June 22

Fly from Fairbanks to the Gwich’in settlement of Arctic Village, where we switch to a smaller plane and head further north, over the spectacular Philip Smith Mountains, to our put-in on on the Marsh Fork of the Canning River. We will set up camp and inflate our rafts in preparation for the next day’s float.

June 23 - 28

We will spend our time floating from the headwaters of the Marsh Fork to the Coastal Plain. Along the way we will have as many as three or four layover days to enjoy day hiking, fishing, or just hanging around camp, enjoying the solitude and quiet. The hiking is fantastic the entire length of the river and wildlife can be found at any time. There are hard hikes and easy strolls from each camp. Only your imagination limits the adventures we can have. On our travel days we will paddle for about about 5 hours. There is a bit of whitewater and lots of fast water but also plenty of stretches where we can watch the sky and scan the mountains for wildlife.

June 29

Pack our gear and await the arrival of our bush pilot, who will land on a long gravel bar. If the weather permits, we will fly back to Fairbanks in time for a late dinner.

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

Transportation beyond Fairbanks

Food while in the wilderness

Stoves, cooking & eating utensils

Boats, paddles, life jackets, safety & repair gear

Professional guide service.

Select Rental equipment is available through Arctic Wild and is included

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Lodging

Non-camp meals

Personal clothing and gear per our Equipment List

Fishing gear, and fishing license

Gratuity for guides

WEATHER & BUGS

Expect a variety of weather. Temperatures can range from in the 70’s down to freezing. Snow is always possible. Bugs may hatch while we are on the river so bring some DEET and a head net.

RECOMMENDED READING

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by Alaska Geographic; Naturalists Guide to the Arctic by E.C. Pielou; Being Caribou by Karsten Heuer; Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez; Caribou & the Barren-Lands by George Calef; Fifty Years Below Zero by Charles Brown; Midnight Wilderness by Debbie Miller; Seasons of Life and Land by Shubanker Banerjee; Arctic Wings by Stephen Brown. More reading available at 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!"
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Eileen - Canning River