Arctic Wild: Trip Itineraries
Sunset Pass Basecamp
Download a copy of the Sunsest Pass Basecamp Itinerary (PDF, 104 KB).
• Dates: June 27th through July 3rd.
• Region: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
• Cost: $3600 per person from Fairbanks. Affordable rental camping gear available.
Sketch of the trip…
Rising from the coastal plain like islands from the ocean are the Sadlerochit Mountains. We will camp and explore the Sadlerochits from a base camp in a picturesque valley just below Sunset Pass. Here in the Arctic desert July is high summer and the weather is likely to be sunny and warm. We have chosen this area not just for the fine weather but because there are good chances of seeing large numbers of caribou. Even if we do not see great masses of animals, we will surely see wildlife. Bears, wolves, moose, migratory waterfowl raptors and passerines will be moving through the valley. The country is open and treeless; vistas in all directions are awesome.
With no schedule and practically endless daylight we will experience a bounty of time unparalleled. Our camp will be simple and comfortable. Meals will be hearty and delicious. Our days will be filled with adventures of our choosing. The country offers limitless opportunities for hiking, ranging from arduous ascents to leisurely (though trail-less) strolls.
On previous trips wildlife encounters have ranged from watching tens of thousands of caribou wander through camp, to watching eagles hunt caribou calves, to falling asleep to the howl of wolves. We never know what we will see, but we will keep our eyes, ears and spotting scope peeled for the four-legged and winged residents of the area. After a week of exploring the area we will take one last stroll or one last scan of the hills for caribou and then load the plane for the trip back to town. Please join us for a week of both relaxation and adventure in one of the wildest and most scenic areas of Alaska.
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 from Fairbanks, over the mighty Yukon River, across the Arctic Circle, over the Brooks Range, and to the Eskimo village of Kaktovik, population 400. In Kaktovik we catch an even smaller plane, which will fly us across the coastal plain over the Sadlerochit River, into Sunset Pass and deposit us on a tundra bench. We may carry our gear a half-mile to find the perfect campsite. Then it is time to put up our feet and enjoy summer in the arctic.
Days 2-5: Our days will be filled with adventures of our choosing! We could see caribou, grizzlies, wolves, tundra swans, loons, and other wildlife, as well as rainbow of wildflowers. Hiking is excellent in all directions.
Day 7: We await our return flight to Kaktovik weather permitting. We’ll get to Kaktovik to catch the daily service to Fairbanks, re-crossing the Arctic Circle, and the Yukon River en route.
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 such as firearm (guide will carry) and one bear spray per guest.
All boating gear, including boats and paddles.The use of one life jacket and one medium-sized dry bag 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
An Equipment List is provided upon registration or request.
Weather & Bugs: A variety of weather should be expected including foggy periods and bright sunny conditions. Temperatures can range from in the 80's down into the 30's or lower. Snow is unlikely on this trip in midsummer. Mosquitoes could be an issue on this trip. Your guide will find a campsite which moderates their presence. You should carry a head net and one bottle of insect repellent.
Recommended Reading: Alaska's Brooks Range, John Kauffmann; Arctic Dreams, Barry Lopez; Caribou & the Barren-Lands, George Calef;; National Geographic, Dec. 79; Audubon, May 88, July 76; Vanishing Arctic, T. H. Watkins. North Alaska Chronicle, John Martin Campbell; My Life with the Eskimo, Vilhjalmur Stefansson.