Kobuk Valley and Gates of the Arctic Trip- Kline Custom - Arctic Wild

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Kobuk Valley and Gates of the Arctic Trip- Kline Custom

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DATES

July 26, 2015 - July 30, 2015

REGION

Gates of the Arctic National Park

TRIP COST

$4,500

A custom trip for the Kline family.

TRIP DETAILS

Last updated: October 13, 2015

Itinerary

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

July 25

Meet your guide at 4pm for a pre-trip meeting in Kotzebue

July 26

Fly from the Eskimo village of Kotzebue on the Chukchi Sea. After briefly seeing the sights in Kotzebue and collecting park stamps at the new Kobuk Valley National Park visitors center, we fly east up the Kobuk River and then into the dramatic mountains of Gates of the Arctic. Landing on a gravel bar near a clear fast river we will unload and set-up camp. We spend the afternoon and evening settling in, learning the birds and plants, and planning the next day’s adventure.

July 27

A full day to explore and enjoy Gates of the Arctic. Your desires help govern our activities. We can hike to a lake and try some fishing, ascend the nearest peak and watch Dall Sheep grazing, or plan a big loop hike, up one drainage and down the other. With 24 hours of daylight and more wilderness than we could explore in a lifetime, our energy and imagination are the only limits to what we can do.

July 28

After a morning walk our pilot arrives for the spectacular flight to Kobuk Dunes. We land right in the heart of the Kobuk Dunes. Once we unload we may have to carry our gear a ways to access fresh drinking water but then we can go and explore the dunes, springs and sand flats.

July 29

A full day to enjoy the dunes. Moose, wolves and fox all frequent the dunes as do a great number of birds. The sand constantly shifts and swirls. There are springs coming right out of the sand and great expanses where nothing seems to live. The hiking is soft in places but great distances can be covered if so inclined. Swim in the ponds, look for wolf dens, slide down the tallest dunes, or just stretch out your beach towel and parasol.

July 30

Weather permitting, our bush plane will arrive to fly us back to “civilization”. We plan to arrive back in Kotzebue by early evening. Empty sand from boots and take a shower.

Such a joy to spend days where time was meaningless.  A wonderful adventure and I would like to return next year for a longer, more challenging trip.

You mentioned to me in an email that you have terrific guides - you do indeed.  Dave is a superb guide. He is personable, knowledgeable about the Arctic, and has excellent group management skills. I appreciated the time he spent teaching me to read the map, which is not easy without trails.   He allowed Adrian and me to hike at our own pace and he encouraged all of us to explore the area surrounding our campsites. I know the others would concur in my praise.

- Sandra, California, USA

DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Transportation starting and ending in Kotzebue, food while in the wilderness, stoves, cooking & eating utensils, water filter, base camp tent, safety & repair gear and professional guide service. Rental equipment is available through Arctic Wild and is included in the trip price.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Lodging, non-camp meals, personal clothing and gear, backpack, tent, photographic equipment. Gratuity for guide(s). See full equipment list.

WEATHER & BUGS

Temperatures vary dramatically in the Arctic.  It should be hot, but it could be cool and rainy.  Temperatures will range from the 20s to 70s. Cold rains and snow are possible, but we get plenty of sunny weather this time of the year. Mosquitoes could be an issue in Gates of the Arctic so bring a mosquito head net and a small bottle of DEET repellent.

RECOMMENDED READING

Ordinary Wolves, Seth Kantner; Last Light Breaking, Nick Jans; The Brooks Range, Alaska Geographic; Alaska’s Brooks Range, John Kauffmann. More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore.

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Fill out the Reservation Request form We will contact you to discuss your trip Secure your trip with a deposit We will send you a detailed packing list Book your flights and accommodations Reservation Request ASK A QUESTION "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!" Eileen - Canning River ASK US A QUESTION REQUEST A RESERVATION