Noatak – Pelletier Private

Noatak – Pelletier Private

DATES

August 17, 2020 - August 26, 2020

REGION

Gates of the Arctic

TRIP COST

Party of 6, $6,200/ person. Party of 8, $5,900/ person

calendar

DATES

August 17, 2020 - August 26, 2020
region

REGION

Gates of the Arctic
price

TRIP COST

Party of 6, $6,200/ person. Party of 8, $5,900/ person

Join Arctic Wild for an Alaska wilderness canoe trip in Gates of the Arctic National Park for ten days of canoeing, hiking and wildlife in Alaska’s biggest wilderness. This is canoe camping at its best, with fun paddling, great wildlife encounters, and endless hiking opportunities. There are few places in Alaska’s arctic where we so reliably see wildlife.

TRIP DETAILS

Far north of the Arctic Circle in the heart of Gates of the Arctic National Park, the Noatak River is an arctic gem. From its headwaters in the granite peaks around Mt. Igikpak, it flows west through glacier-capped peaks and rolling tundra for over 400 miles to the Chukchi Sea. Rich in wildlife and scenic beauty, it is internationally recognized as a World Heritage Site. There is no better place to experience the wilderness and wildlife of the Brooks Range than on the Noatak River.

We have several layover days to enjoy some of the best hiking in the arctic and to fish for Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike, Arctic Char and Lake Trout.  Fall colors will begin to turn while we’re out there, and blueberries are fully ripe. Wildflowers like Grass of Parnassus and Arctic Poppies will grace the tundra with the last of the summer’s blooms.

The open country makes wildlife sightings a daily experience on the Noatak. We almost always see wolves, fox, moose and Dall sheep. Thousands upon thousands of caribou from the Western Arctic Caribou Herd migrate through the Noatak valley on their way to wintering grounds south of the Brooks Range.

While paddling the Noatak we pass two salmon spawning streams. These are excellent and safe places to watch grizzly bears feeding. Birders will not be disappointed. Passerines and waterfowl wing through the Noatak every fall, stopping over in the many lush willow thickets and rich ponds of the broad valley.

In addition to the natural wonders of the area, the Noatak also has a rich human history and artifacts of ancient  Eskimo life can be found near the deep lakes and across the tundra.

This is a fairly easy 70-mile canoe trip (at least by Alaska standards), but you can fish and hike and explore until you’re worn out. The Noatak flows along smoothly on this stretch, with current enough to keep us moving, but if the wind blows opposite the current we will have to work to reach camp at each days end. Towards the end of the trip the river picks up speed and we get to ride the current to the take-out. Previous experience is not required to paddle canoes, instruction is provided by guides but we hihgly recommend you take a an ACA or similar canoe class prior to the trip.

Last updated: November 25, 2020

Itinerary

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

August 16

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

August 17

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 near the river with mountains all around. If the mood strikes us, we will assemble the canoes and paddle for a bit. Or we might elect to explore our surroundings on foot and save the paddling for the next day.

August 18- 25

We’ll canoe our way down the Noatak.  On days when we travel, we will spend about five hours on the river paddling about 15 miles.   Alternating days will be layover days when we will explore on foot from camp. We can climb peaks from every camp, but there is also lots of good walking along the river, or up pretty tundra creeks.  There will be free time each and every day after camp is pitched.  The long evening is yours to enjoy the golden arctic sunlight.

August 26

Clean up and pack our gear. Weather permitting, we’ll catch our return flight back up the Noatak, over a great many mountains and then on to Fairbanks. Remove rubber boots!

arctic ground squirrel

I took a lot of trips this year, but the Noatak easily was the best experience of the year and one of the best of my life.

- Wes, Texas, USA

DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Round-trip airfare from Fairbanks

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

Boats, paddles, life jackets, safety & repair gear

Rental equipment is available through Arctic Wild and is included

Professional guide service

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Non-camp lodging

Non-camp meals

Personal clothing and gear, See full equipment list.

Fishing gear, and fishing license

Gratuity for guide(s)

 

WEATHER & BUGS

Temperatures vary dramatically in the Arctic. Temperatures range from the 20s to 70s, averaging in the high 50’s. Cold rains and snow are possible, but we can get lots of sunny weather this time of the year too.  Mosquitoes should not be a problem on this trip, but a few flies could still be bothersome. Traveling with insect repellent (DEET) and a head-net is always prudent.

RECOMMENDED READING

Nunamiut by Helge Ingstadt; We Live in the Arctic by Constance Helmericks; Land of Extremes by Alex Huryn; Arctic Wild by Lois Crisler; People of the Noatak by Clair Fejes. 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!"
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Eileen - Canning River