Last updated: November 25, 2020
Itinerary
What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
August 3
Meet your guide for a pre-trip meeting in Fairbanks at 4pm at Arctic Wild headquarters.
August 4
It’s a long day. We fly north from Fairbanks over the Yukon River and Arctic Circle to the arctic village of Bettles. From Bettles we charter a plane into the Gates of the Arctic National Park. We’ll land on a rough gravel bar and will unload our gear and boats. No need to head downriver this first day. Better to settle into the mountains and explore on foot.
August 5-7
We will spend 2 days paddling, and one full day hiking. On our paddling days we’ll spend about 4 or 5 hours on the water. The first paddling day will involve some fast maneuvers. The second day continuous paddling once the current slows. Both days are fun and stunningly beautiful! We can elect to take the layover day in the headwaters, part-way down the river or even at the take-out. Each camp offers unlimited opportunities for exploring and all have options for casting a line.
There will be free time each and every day after camp is pitched for hiking, fishing or relaxing. The long evening is yours to enjoy the golden arctic sunlight.
August 8
Clean up camp and pack our gear before hiking the short 1/4-mile to our pick-up location. Weather permitting, we’ll meet our float plane for the return flight back up the Noatak, over a great many mountains and then on to Fairbanks. Take a shower!
