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The Coastal Plain
The Brooks Range stretches for 600 miles across northern Alaska
from east to west like a necklace across the breast of the Arctic.
To the north of these mountains the Arctic Coastal Plain opens
and slopes gently to the Beaufort Sea. It is a vast sweep of treeless
tundra and rolling hills. It is an expanse so vast it redefines
the concept of wilderness.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The ultimate gem of this wilderness lies in the northeast most
corner of Alaska. This last pocket of untouched Coastal Plain
is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Flowing out of the mountains
across to the sea is the Kongakut River, an artery of life through
the heart of the Refuge. Here the last great Caribou herds live
in splendor with all the pantheon of northern wildlife.
The Porcupine Caribou Migration
It is the Kongakut River valley through which the Porcupine Caribou
Herd makes its yearly migration to their birthing grounds on the
Coastal Plain. Each June, thousands of caribou gather in the greatest
congregation of wildlife in North America. Grizzly bears, wolves,
wolverines, foxes, Dall sheep, and musk ox, all roam freely. Here
lives and breaths a pristine wilderness on a scale that can only
be understood by direct experience.
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The Midnight
Sun
When the Arctic comes out to play in the summer, it never goes
to bed. The land of the midnight sun is another dimension. The
sun does not set but plays along the horizon for hours, creating
a quality of light that is uniquely clear and soft. Our June trips
near summer solstice give us our best Arctic conditions and a
chance to see the vast Porcupine Caribou migration in full splendor.
Our schedule on the Kongakut will be leisurely since we'll have
nearly continuous daylight.
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Paddle
boat adventures
Our Kongakut River Rafting Expedition is a combination of
both hiking and rafting adventures. We'll paddle the river
in inflatable rafts. Everyone participates to navigate our
rafts down river. No prior paddle rafting experience is
necessary. The Kongakut River is a fast and fun. There are
several small rapids to negotiate and breathtaking mountain
and valley scenery along the entire route. The rafts allow
us to travel from mountains to coast and find the greatest
places for hiking and watching wildlife. Our professional
river guides will impart a love of the land that will be
yours forever. |
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World class hiking, fishing, and photography
River rafting is only part of the fun. This is some great hiking
country and we will hike and explore every day. We will have many
opportunities for both short walks and long hikes. Some days may
be devoted exclusively to hiking. Or you can relax at camp or
even fish for Artic Char. Bring your cameras and binoculars and
keep them available as we can see wildlife 24 hours a day. While rafting
or hiking, we will always be ready to photograph the Arctic's wildlife
and scenery. You never know what wildlife has come to the river’s
shore just around the bend, so keep your camera ready!
We'll begin and end our adventure in Fairbanks, Alaska. |
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Kongakut River Rafting Day 1-2:
The first day is your 'big travel day' from your hometown to Fairbanks, Alaska.
We will meet at the Downtown Log Cabin Hideaway at 5:00 p.m. for a pre-trip
orientation and to hand out river equipment.
The second day begins with a scenic 300-mile flight across the
top of North America. From the air you begin to get a sense of
the Arctic's vast wilderness as it stretches from horizon to horizon.
From Fairbanks we fly across the Yukon River Flats to the Native
community of Arctic Village. We switch to smaller bush planes
and continue north over the Brooks Range to land on a small gravel
bar along the Kongakut River. We have arrived. When the last plane
leaves, the silence settles around us and the magic of wilderness
fills the air.
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Kongakut River Rafting Day 3-10:
We will traverse the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from the
Brooks Range to the Coastal Plain just short of the Beaufort Sea.
Each day, after a hearty breakfast, we will break camp and float
downstream to new scenery and adventures. We will stop often for
hiking, snacks, and lunch. Some river days will be longer than
others, and at some camps we may stay over an extra night so we
can hike all day. We will hold to no set schedule, because
adventure is always at the hand of those who are open to exploring.
Each evening, in camp, we will enjoy the outdoor life of laughter,
and camaraderie. We will enjoy robust fresh meals prepared by
the guides and sleep in our expedition tents.
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Kongakut River Rafting Day 11:
Return - We are deep in the wilderness close to the Arctic coast
on the Beaufort Sea. But, it's time to return to civilization.
On our last day at Caribou Pass, we'll break camp and await the
arrival of the bush planes for our return flight to Fairbanks.
We plan to arrive by 5:00 p.m. After showers
and cleaning up, we gather for a no-host dinner on this
final evening and enjoy our final night in Fairbanks. |
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