Photo: Jon Kangas Kongakut River Rafting Expedition,
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08016A Price: $4,475 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 7 Leader: Curtis Mobley
The Trip
Why should not we have our national preserves in which the bear
and the panther, and some even of the hunter race, may still exist,
and not be civilized off the face of the Earth? One of North America's last pristine wildernesses, the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge is truly a priceless -- and hotly contested -- national
treasure. This northeast corner of Alaska contains an astonishing
diversity of landscapes, including mountains, boreal forests, alpine
and arctic tundra, and coastal marine ecoregions. Encompassing 19.5
million acres, the Refuge is home to both Inupiaq and Athabascan Native
Americans, over 120,000 caribou, Dall sheep, moose, musk oxen, wolverines,
wolves, and all three of the continent's bear species: black, brown
(grizzly), and polar. We have planned the trip to coincide with the annual migration of
the 120,000-member Porcupine caribou herd, which takes place each
spring as these magnificent animals travel several hundred miles from
their winter home south of the Brooks Range to their ancestral calving
grounds on the northern coastal plains.
 Photo: Jon Kangas On day one we will have an evening orientation and “get acquainted” meeting at our B&B in Fairbanks. At this pre-trip meeting the leader will go over final trip details, and you will get fitted with rubber boots and raingear and receive waterproof drybags for your personal clothing. The leader will provide details after you have signed up for the trip. The following morning, day two of the trip, we will fly by commercial airline from Fairbanks to Arctic Village. From there we will be shuttled by bush plane to the put-in in the mountains of the eastern Brooks Range. During the course of the trip, there will be layover days and ample time for exploring side drainages, hiking up gentle peaks, or simply sitting in camp enjoying the solitude of this vast wilderness. The Kongakut is shallow but fast-flowing and has a few exciting stretches of class II and III rapids. This trip is designed for wilderness exploration, hiking, wildlife viewing, and relaxation and reflection. Our daily itinerary will be flexible, allowing us the freedom to take advantage of any opportunities that may arise.  Photo: Curtis Mobley Depending on where the caribou herd is reported to be, we may spend more time in some places than in others. There is no guarantee, of course, that we will see any caribou, but the 2007 trip saw over 2,000. We may also optimize our wildlife viewing with a few "night" hikes to look for nocturnal species. On the last day of the trip, we will shuttle by bush plane to Arctic Village and then catch a late-afternoon flight back to Fairbanks. After checking into our B&B (included) we will have our traditional post-trip dinner (attendance optional) the evening of the last day. You can plan to fly home from Fairbanks the next next day, or stay to explore more of Alaska on your own. Getting There The trip starts and ends in Fairbanks, Alaska. Located in the heart of the state's interior, Fairbanks is served by major airlines (Alaska, Delta, and Northwest) and is a five and a half hour flight from Seattle. It is 360 miles from Anchorage via the Parks Highway. The Alaska Railroad offers service from Anchorage to Fairbanks and points in between, thus providing a slower but incredibly scenic approach to Fairbanks, or a convenient way to stop off at Denali National Park on the way home. Lodging at a B&B the night before the trip and the last night is included in the trip price. However, it is recommended that you arrive in Fairbanks a day before the start of the trip, giving yourself time to unwind and see the sights, and to allow for the possiblity of late-arriving luggage. It is also prudent to allow an extra day after the trip in case of a weather delay. All transportation from our B&B, including flights between Fairbanks and the Kongakut on the first day of the trip and back to our lodging on the last, is included in the trip cost.
 Photo: Jon Kangas The trip is priced for shared double accommodations at the B&B in Fairbanks; single rooms in Fairbanks are usually available at extra cost. However, severe weight and space limitations on the bush plane require the sharing of two-person tents while on the river. All meals, starting with breakfast at the B&B on day two and ending with lunch on the last day (plus breakfast at the B&B the next morning) are included. Our rafts carry all of our food and equipment down the river. The get-acquainted and farewell dinners in Fairbanks, items of a personal nature, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and gratuities for the boatmen are not included. We can take personal beverages in small quantities on the trip. We will work with those who have special dietary needs to see if those needs can reasonably be accommodated. Please let us know of your needs on your application.
This trip is both an adventure of the spirit and an exercise of the body. We will be traveling in rafts down a river that is generally fast but without much whitewater, although there are some Class II and III rapids. The weather can be sunny, rainy, warm, cold, calm or windy—sometimes all in the same day. Participants must be in good health and physical condition and take pride in making adverse conditions an adventure and not an ordeal. Flexibility is the key to enjoying Alaskan wilderness.
The trip price includes a life jacket, rubber boots and gloves, heavy duty raingear, sleeping bag and pad, a shared two-person tent, and eating utensils. Each person will be issued two waterproof bags (about the size of a large pillowcase) to hold all of your personal gear and clothing. In addition, a waterproof group day bag will be on each raft to hold things that you need to have accessible while on the river. You should bring a protective waterproof container for any fragile or electronic gear such as cameras. Clothing should be chosen for its layerability and warmth when wet. Rain is always a possibility and arctic winds coming across the polar ice cap can add a significant wind chill factor as we near the coast. The most likely temperatures will be between 35 and 60 degrees, with possible extremes on either side. A detailed equipment list will be sent to all participants. An Alaska state fishing license is required for anglers and can be purchased in Fairbanks; Arctic char and grayling are the most common fish.
Maps This trip is covered by the U.S. Geological Survey Demarcation Quadrangle A-2, B-1, B-2, D-2. Maps can be obtained by mail from USGS, Box 250, Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225. Books
Websites http://arctic.fws.gov/ Conservation There is just one hope of repulsing the tyrannical ambition of civilization to conquer every niche on the whole earth. That hope is the organization of spirited people who will fight for the freedom of the wilderness. -- Bob Marshall The Arctic Refuge is at the center of one of the most protracted and bitter conflicts between preservation and exploitation. We will take time during the trip to discuss some of the pressing questions facing our country and the refuge. Are we willing to let wilderness areas disappear as part of the price of cheap oil? Do we envision a future without wilderness? Do people care enough about the future of our natural heritage to do something? We will also discuss the impacts of climate change on this fragile arctic environment and its inhabitants. Travel in Alaska and the Arctic Sierra Club outings in Alaska 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 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 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.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Curtis Mobley has led numerous raft and sea kayak trips in the lower 48
and Alaska, and he also leads international trips in China (some of his
stories and photos are at www.curtismobley.com). He is an oceanographer
by profession who loves to share his science knowledge with all who will
listen. Curtis was recognized in the May-June, 2006 issue of Sierra
magazine as one of the Club’s outstanding trip leaders, based on
participant evaluations and service to the Club. He holds Wilderness
First Responder first aid certification.