Photo: Eric Rorer Brooks Range on a Budget, Alaska Highlights:
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Trip Number: 09011A Price: $1495 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 16 Leader:
The Trip Unfortunately, this trip has been cancelled. If you have questions, please contact us. Photo: Eric Rorer Our 14-day backpack takes place in a largely forgotten corner of the Alaskan wilderness, a place almost totally unknown to hikers and largely forsaken by environmentalists. In the battle to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, 600 miles to the east, the vast wilderness of northwestern Alaska has essentially been surrendered to oil, natural gas and mining interests. The Bush Administration has already opened millions of acres here for resource extraction of one form or another. Efforts to protect the area have been hampered by the unfortunate name given to a 23-million-acre swath of the landscape -- the National Petroleum Reserve (NPR). Contrary to what this unflattering moniker might imply, this wilderness is home to some of Alaska's most stunning scenery and wildlife, including grizzlies, wolves, Dall sheep, and wolverines. While some areas of the reserve have already been lost to development, the majority of the NPR is still wild and in vital need of protection. During our challenging two-week trek, we will explore the serrated peaks of the DeLong Mountains, starting in an area where mining companies are actively looking to expand the nearby Red Dog mine, one of the largest lead and zinc mines in the world. Along the way, there's a chance we might glimpse the migration of the western Arctic caribou herd, one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. Due to the urgency of the situation in this part of Alaska, we've decided to open this trip to more people than we usually allow on remote Alaska trips. We do this both to expose more people to the conservation issues at stake and to bring the trip cost down to an affordable level. We're pleased to offer this trip at almost half the cost of a typical trip to such a remote area. Due to the large group size, trip participants must be open to a fun, social experience. There will be plenty of time to experience the wilderness in solitude on this trip, but being part of a large group will also be a fundamental part of the journey.
The group will meet the day prior to the start of the trip in Kotzebue where we will have dinner and go over logistics. The next morning we will fly in two groups of nine to a landing strip near the Wulik River, built by mining companies to support the expanding mining operations in the area. From the landing strip, we will head out into the DeLong Mountains, enjoying the scenery, keeping an eye out for caribou, grizzlies and wolves.  Photo: Eric Rorer On a typical day, the group will hike for about six or seven hours at a moderate pace, stopping to observe the wonders of the Arctic as we see them. We will have almost 24-hour 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. Weather permitting, we'll return to Kotzebue as scheduled on the last day. Weather delays are not uncommon when flying into and out of the Arctic.Getting There Alaska Airlines offers regular commercial flights to Kotzebue from Anchorage. Connecting flights from Anchorage to the Lower 48 usually allow same-day service. You should plan on arriving in Kotzebue a day or two in advance of the departure date to allow for weather delays and lost luggage.
 Photo: Eric Rorer All food from lunch on in 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 freeze-dried foods. Vegetarians can easily be accommodated. As on most Sierra Club trips, all members help with cooking and clean-up chores. Trip members and leaders will all share in carrying food and equipment.
This Strenuous-rated (S) trip is for the big-hearted backpacker. We will hike a cross-country route the whole way, entirely dependent on our skills, common sense, and equipment. Stream crossings can take on epic proportions as multiple channels may run high with glacial melt. 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.  Photo: Eric Rorer This trip is demanding, and you will need to be in very good 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 no one will be rushed through difficult sections of the hike. Elevations are low, so altitude shouldn't be a factor. Pack weight can be demanding and a slowing factor for hikers of any experience. Equipment and food will be more substantial than what is required on most trips, with pack weights in the 50-pound range. We'll be carrying up to 25 pounds of commissary per person in addition to our personal gear when we start out. Please be frank when completing your trip application. This trip is not suitable for first-time backpackers. Applicants should have at least one extended backpacking trip under their belts before applying.
The leaders will send out a detailed equipment list prior to the trip and are happy to discuss any questions you may have.
Conservation  Photo: Eric Rorer Much like Glenn Canyon was sacrificed during the 1960s in the battle to preserve the Grand Canyon , preservation of the western arctic has largely taken a backseat to the campaign for protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, several hundred miles to the east. Compounding the challenge of bringing attention to the Western Arctic 's plight is the fact that a 23-million-acre portion of the area has been designated as the "National Petroleum Reserve," (NPR) a name that plays directly into the hands of oil, natural gas and mining interests. Mounting a campaign to keep oil companies out of a "wildlife refuge" is a lot easier than mounting a campaign to keep those same companies out of a "petroleum reserve." While large areas of the NPR are already lost, vast sections of the preserve are still untouched. Areas bordering the NPR are also under serious threat of development. In recent years, native groups and mining companies have scrambled to claim jurisdiction over land previously administered by the Bureau of Land Management. On this trip, we will see much of this firsthand.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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Starting with childhood trips to California's Sierra Nevada, Eric Rorer has been seeking out places less traveled for more than 30 years. His adventures have included countless trips throughout the American West, a spring semester in the Rockies with the National Outdoor Leadership School, a solo traverse of the John Muir Trail, and eight years as a backpacking guide in Alaska. Throughout all his travels, he has never found a place more sublimely beautiful than the Brooks Range. Introducing this place to others has been one of the greatest joys of his life.