Last updated: August 11, 2018
Itinerary
What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
August 1
Meet your guide for a pre-trip meeting at 4pm in Fairbanks at Arctic Wild headquarters.
August 2
Fly north from Fairbanks across the Yukon River to the tiny village of Bettles. After touring both streets in town, we board a small plane and continue on into the Gates of the Arctic National Park. After landing on a sprawling lake, we’ll hike a short distance to the best camp we can find. We can use the rest of the evening to explore the plateau.
August 3 -8
We have about thirty five miles to go and six full days to cover the distance. Of these, we will take at least one layover day to hike and explore. On moving days, we’ll travel about seven miles, which will keep us on our feet for five to six hours. The day hiking from our campsites will be good. On layover days we can strike out without our heavy packs and climb peaks or enjoy a leisurely day resting in camp and watching the wildlife and light dance around the landscape.
August 9
Hike a few miles to our pick-up spot, a lake shining blue, beneath white- and cream-colored bluffs covered with sage. Weather permitting, we’ll meet the floatplane for our flight back to town and a hot shower!
