Backpacking Gates of the Arctic

This trip takes place in Alaska’s Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park on the traditional and current lands of the Iñupiaq people.

This trip traverses the eastern portion of Gates of the Arctic National Park. Our small group will cross the continental divide of Alaska’s Brooks Range as we backpack from the Nunamiut village of Anaktuvuk Pass to the the Dalton Highway. Along the way we’ll cross braided rivers and alpine streams. We’ll keep our eyes open for the various types of wildlife that call this place home, including grizzly bears, wolverines, caribou, moose, dozens of varieties of birds, wolves and a multitude of smaller, though no less charismatic, species. We will travel over river beds, tundra, on caribou trails and steep loose rocks. As we approach the Dalton Highway, we’ll navigate through some relatively dense brush. Daily mileage will range from 8-12 miles with elevation gain/loss between 500′-4000′ per day. Because this trip utilizes a regularly scheduled “mail plane”, it is a relatively low-carbon adventure when compared to trips that utilize bush flights. We offset the carbon from our flight to Anaktuvuk Pass from Fairbanks.

Non-Profit Partner: The Northern Alaska Environmental Center

Prior to the trip, participants will have a chance to learn about the Northern Alaska Environmental Center’s Clean Water and Mining Program which works to oppose the proposed road to the Ambler Mining district which would cross Gates of the Arctic National Park. A significant monetary donation will be make to the Northern Alaska Environmental Center in honor of this trip. Learn more about our non-profit partner program on our Why Us page.