Arctic Wild: Trip Itineraries
Kobuk Dunes Basecamp / Backpack
Download a copy of the Kobuk Dunes Basecamp / Backpack itinerary (PDF, 128 KB).
• Dates: August 2nd through 7th.
• Region: Western Arctic, Kobuk Valley National Park.
• Cost: $3,100 per person from Kotzebue. See details below.
Sketch of the trip…
The Kobuk Sand Dunes are a sea of sand in the Arctic wilderness. Formed during the last ice age as winds tore through the region and deposited sand south of the Kobuk river in an enormous mountain basin. We will explore these seldom visited sand dunes for 6 days this August. This is the largest dune complex in arctic North America and it is both facinating and beautiful. The eastern side of the dunes are more stable and vegetated, there are ponds, wolf and fox dens, and fingers of spruce forest which extend in to the dunes. As one travels west, the dunes get larger and larger. Some of the sand ridges are over 200 feet tall! There are vast areas where a hiker cannot see the edge of the dunes anywhere and one can imagine that they are in the Sahara until a sandhill crane flies by with its prehistoric sounding call. Or a moose trots off over the sand. On the West side of the dunes sand blows off the sand ridges and into the woods and creek. It is easy to visualize how the forest is being swallowed by the advancing dunes.
We call this trip a “Basecamp / Backpack” because we will be dropped off and picked-up and the same location. This gives us the freedom for day hiking and relaxing at a single basecamp. The Dunes are, however too large to be seen from a single location, so we will trek across them in search of oasis. We will travel with our packs about half of the days.We will camp on the edge of the dunes where there is water and where we are more likely to see wildlife. The sea of sand makes for great “sledding”, animal tracking, photography, and some of the best hiking around. It is a unique and inspiring environment full of surprises.
Backpacking in Alaska is an off-trail experience, but hiking in the Kobuk Dunes is relatively easy for Alaskan backpacking. The sand is soft in places but generally it is firm enough that we can take full strides. Weather in the central Kobuk Valley is warmer than most of the arctic. Sunny skies are the norm for early august. Temperatures in the high seventies are possible. Snow is also possible but I’m bringing sandals and a beach towel.
What follows is a forecast of the trip, a general idea of the flow of events.
As a forecast, it may be amended to meet conditions and opportunities in the field.
Unlike most of our trips this trip begins and ends in Kotzebue, Alaska.
Day 1: Fly from Kotzebue up the Kobuk River to the Great Kobuk Sand Dune. We will be able to see Little Kobuk Sand Dune and Hunt River Dune from the plane. We will land on the eastern edge of the dunes. We will shoulder our packs and hike a mile or two to find a good camp. We will spend the rest of the afternoon settling into our new home.
Days 2-5: We will spend the next 4 days backpacking as little or as much as we choose. It is possible to circumambulate the dunes but we need not make any particular destination. We will carry our packs every other day and dayhike, sunbathe, or photograph on the layover days. If there are fishermen amongst us we may take a side trip to the Kobuk river for a picinic and a chance to catch some sheefish. We will see wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled.
Day 6: Weather permitting, our bush plane will arrive to fly us back to Kotzebue. Take a shower!
Included in the price of the trip:
Transportation beyond Kotzebue.
Outstanding guide service.
Wholesome, delicious, and mostly-organic food while in the wilderness.
Stoves, cooking & eating utensils.
Repair and safety equipment and one bear spray per guest.
Not included in the price of the trip:
Non-camp lodging.
Non-camp meals.
Personal clothing, backpack (if applicable), and footwear.
Sleeping bag & sleeping pad.
Three-season tent.
Large waterproof drybag (one with shoulder strap recommended).
Waterproof camera case.
Fishing gear and fishing license.
Gratuity for guide(s).
Arctic Wild rents high quality gear at affordable rates. Rental gear includes:
Three-season tents
Sleeping bags
Sleeping pads
A Backpack Equipment List is provided upon registration or request.
Weather & Bugs: Temperatures vary dramatically in the Arctic. It could be hot, but it could be cold and rainy. Temperatures will range from the 40s to 80s. Cold rains and snow are possible, but we get lots of sunny weather this time of the year. Mosquitoes should be minimal in the dunes but could be present in the woods. Bring a mosquito head net and a small bottle of DEET repellent just in case.
Recommended Reading: The Brooks Range, Alaska Geographic; Alaska’s Brooks Range, John Kauffmann; Midnight Wilderness, Debbie Miller; Arctic Dreams, Barry Lopez; Caribou & the Barren-Lands, George Calef; Earth & the Great Weather, Kenneth Brower; National Geographic, Dec. 79; Audubon, May 88, July 76; Vanishing Arctic, T. H. Watkins. Ordinary Wolves, Seth Cantner , Last Light Breaking, Nick Jans.