Arctic Wild: Trip Itineraries
Noatak Backpack Trip
Download a copy of the Noatak Backpack Trip Itinerary (PDF, 116 KB)
• Dates: August 9th through 16th.
Want more time in the wilderness? Combine this trip with the Noatak Canoe (August 16-25) and spend 17 days enjoying Gates of the Arctic National Park. Cost for the Backpack and Canoe is $5900.
• Region: Gates of the Arctic National Park-central Brooks Range, Continental Divide.
• Cost: $3,100 per person includes everything north of Fairbanks. Affordable rental camping gear available.
Sketch of the trip…
The Brooks Range forks about midway on its 720-mile arc across Alaska’s arctic. The northernmost range is an unnamed, inviting region of rugged mountains, broad valleys and clear water. Every fall, caribou of the Western Arctic Herd make their way through this country where travel is easier and visibility seems endless.
Our backpack begins on a high plateau near the Arctic Divide. We hike downhill, following a headwaters tributary of the Alatna River. Then, we turn west into an adjoining valley and walk uphill into splendid alpine tundra with long views. We hike onward to a pass separating the Alatna from the Noatak River. Here in the high country, where the creeks are but trickles, there is nothing for sound but the wind, Northern wheatears, and horned larks. After ascending the pass, we gradually descend through alpine meadows and robust blueberry bushes, to the stunning Noatak River valley.
This backpack offers excellent opportunities for wildlife encounters. Since this is big and defining wilderness, we can expect to see caribou, grizzly bears and wolves. The scenery is as good as it gets and, being over 150 miles from the nearest village, and twice as far from a road, opportunities for solitude are everywhere.
This is a moderately difficult backpack. Expect to carry a 50-pound pack at the outset, which includes 15-20 pounds of group food and fuel. We will travel about seven miles per day, totaling about thirty miles. There is a single, steep 1,000-foot climb over the pass, and the rest of the route is alpine terrain. The footing is mostly excellent, but the first and last days will be a little brushy and wet. As we climb toward the Continental Divide, we leave the taller vegetation behind, getting down to the dwarfed willows and Dryas. Soon, rocks and lichens dominate the scene. We’ll have at least one layover day to explore and enjoy our surroundings. If you plan to also join us for the Noatak River Canoe, please see that itinerary for details.
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.
Day 1: Fly north from Fairbanks across the Yukon River to the tiny village of Coldfoot. 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 gravel bar, we’ll hike a short distance to the best camp we can find-- which should be pretty nice. We can use the rest of the evening to explore the plateau.
Days 2 - 7: We will see wildlife! We have about thirty miles to go and six full days to cover the distance. Of these, we will take at least one layover 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 will always be good from each of our camps, and on layover days, we can go for peaks, or just hang out around camp resting.
Day 8: Hike a few miles to a many-armed 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!
Included in the price of the trip:
Transportation beyond Fairbanks.
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.
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 Trip Equipment List is provided upon registration or request.
Weather & Bugs: A variety of weather is likely, including rainy periods and bright sunny conditions. Temperatures can range from the 70's down into the 30's. Snow is possible. Although the worst of the bug season is definitely over, there may still be remnant mosquitoes and gnats around. You should carry a head net and one bottle of insect repellent.
Suggested Reading: Last Light Breaking, Nick Jans; Alaska Wilderness, Robert Marshall; We Live in the Arctic, Constance Helmericks; Arctic Wild, Lois Crisler; Make Prayers to the Raven, Richard Nelson. North Alaska Chronicle, John Martin Campbell.