Arctic Refuge on a Budget, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

The group will meet the day prior to the start of the trip in Fairbanks, where we will have dinner, distribute group gear, and go over logistics. It is critical that participants attend this meeting.

First Day: We begin our trip in Fairbanks. In the early morning hours, we board a large van that will take us to the start of our wilderness adventure. The Dalton Highway extends between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay and closely parallels the Alaska Oil Pipeline. During our long drive north toward the Brooks Range on the infamous "haul road" we will experience the beauty of the Alaskan interior. Making our way past the tree line and across the Arctic Circle, we climb over the Brooks Range and onto the North Slope. In the late afternoon, we begin our backpack trip by hiking under the Alaska Oil Pipeline and immediately entering the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. After a short hike, we arrive at our first camp in an expansive wilderness, completely out of sight of the road or any other human activity.

Backcountry Days: Our exact backpacking route will depend on the conditions we find, water levels in streams, and the interests of the group. In any event, we will complete a loop through the mountains into the Sagavanirktok River valley, traversing spectacular arctic valleys and dramatic mountain passes, eventually returning to the Dalton Highway.

On a typical day the group will hike for about six to eight hours at a moderate pace, stopping to observe the wonders of the Arctic as we see them. We will enjoy a lot of daylight, so we can start and end our hike at any time of the day. Hiking will be difficult sometimes -- when we push through tussocks or willows, for example. If we find we have made the wrong choice for a route, we may even be forced to backtrack at times. Remember, this is part of the joy of exploration.

Last Day: After a short hike back to the Dalton Highway, our commercial van service will pick us up for the long drive back to Fairbanks. Our trip ends upon our arrival in Fairbanks, typically very late in the evening. Participants should schedule their flights out of Fairbanks for the day after the trip officially ends. Weather delays are not uncommon in the Arctic.

Please note that the June trip is 12 days and the August trip is 13. Both cover the same route and have a flexible route to accommodate weather and sightseeing.

Getting There

Trip members are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from Fairbanks. Starting the trip out of Fairbanks, one of few relatively affordable flight destinations in Alaska, helps reduce final participant cost. A conservative approach is to arrive in Fairbanks two days ahead of schedule to allow for delayed luggage and it is critical to attend the pre-trip meeting. Arctic air travel, commercial or charter, is not always on schedule due to weather conditions. You should also allow for at least one flexible day at the end of the trip in case we encounter unexpected delays.

Accommodations and Food

All food, starting with lunch on the first day through lunch on the last, will be provided. We take pride in providing meals that are tasty and filling, and make a concerted effort not to rely too much on prepared foods. Vegetarians can easily be accommodated. As on most Sierra Club trips, all members help with cooking and clean-up chores. Trip participants and leaders will all share in carrying food and equipment.

Trip Difficulty

This strenuous trip is for the big-hearted backpacker. We will hike a cross-country route the whole way. We make multiple stream crossings. Even small stream crossings can become difficult (and cold!) with prolonged rain or glacial melt. Be prepared for wet boots. Weather in the Arctic can always be a challenge; while we hope for sunny and dry days, we must be prepared for any condition, including extended periods of rain or snow.

This trip is demanding, and you will need to be in very good physical and mental shape. While there is no technical climbing, you should feel comfortable climbing over boulders and using your hands to get over passes while carrying a full pack. Trip participants should also be prepared for a bit of exposed hiking in the mountains. We will go slowly when necessary and work as a team to ensure that everyone is safe and comfortable through difficult sections of the hike. Elevations are low, so altitude shouldn't be a factor.

Without the luxury of a food cache, pack weight can be demanding and a slowing factor for hikers of any experience level. Equipment and food will be more substantial than what is required on most trips, with pack weights in the 50-60 pound range. We'll be carrying up to 30 pounds of commissary and group equipment per person, in addition to our personal gear, when we start out.

Please be frank and completely honest when completing your trip application. The trip leader will talk to you at length by phone to make sure that this is a trip appropriately suited for you, but the Sierra Club reserves the right to turn participants away at the start of the trip if it is clear they have not been truthful in the application process.

Equipment and Clothing

The leaders will send out a detailed equipment list to approved participants prior to the trip, and are happy to discuss any questions you may have.

The leaders will conduct a gear inspection of each participant before the start of the trip in Fairbanks. Anyone who has brought inappropriate gear, such as a tent that is not waterproof, raingear that is not waterproof, or a pack that is too small will be asked to purchase new gear in Fairbanks.

References

• Pielou, E.C., A Naturalist's Guide to the Arctic.
• Lopez, Barry, Arctic Dreams: Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape.
• Bruemmer, Fred, The Arctic.
• Houston, James, White Dawn: An Eskimo Saga.
• Berton, Pierre, The Arctic Grail.
• Sage, Byron, The Arctic and its Wildlife.
• Dyson, John, The Hot Arctic.

Conservation

The Arctic Refuge is one of the last intact ecological systems in the world and is under considerable political pressure for development. To date, efforts to designate the Refuge as wilderness have been rejected outright and there is an ongoing effort to open the Refuge to energy development. Protecting this unique ecosystem is among the highest priorities of nearly every major environmental organization. Trip participants will not only learn about current developments, but they'll also learn how to keep informed of future developments and to become advocates for protection of this important area. In addition, Leave No Trace ethics will be used and emphasized on our trip. Our goal will be to alter the wilderness as little as possible, preserving it for the next group.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.

Travel in Alaska and the Arctic

Sierra Club outings in Alaska and Arctic Canada are special experiences in true wilderness, but they also carry an element of risk. Trip locales are often remote, away from the amenities of civilization, including sophisticated medical care and immediate evacuation possibilities. Many of our Alaska and Arctic Canada trips now carry satellite phones, but even with this technology, communication with the outside world can be difficult and emergency assistance can be days away. Weather in Alaska and Arctic Canada is unpredictable, and inclement weather can be severe. Among other hazards are cold river and stream crossings, tidal activity, calving glaciers, the psychological effects of remoteness, and the presence of large wild animals. You're in good hands, though, so don't worry: Your trip leaders have vast experience in the Last Frontier, and they'll provide all the guidance you need.