Photo: Curtis Mobley Kongakut River Rafting Expedition, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Highlights:
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Trip Number: 09013A Price: $4995 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 6 Leader:
The Trip Unfortunately, this trip has been cancelled. If you have questions, please contact us.“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?” --Henry David Thoreau 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 eco-regions. 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. In the brief arctic summer, the desolate white of the winter landscape transforms to a sea of plants and innumerable small lakes on the coastal plain, which attract breeding birds from all over the world. With twenty-four hours of summer-solstice daylight, we will have plenty of time to look for, observe, and appreciate the incredible diversity of flora and fauna of the region. 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 Day 1: we arrive in Fairbanks, and will have an evening orientation and “get acquainted” meeting at our hotel in Fairbanks . At this pre-trip meeting the leader will go over final trip details, and you will receive tents (double occupancy), wet suit booties, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, ammo can and waterproof drybags for your personal clothing. No meals are provided on this day, but we will organize a “get aquainted” no-host dinner for those of us that are interested. Day 2- Day 10: On the morning of day two, we will fly by commercial airline from Fairbanks to Arctic Village . From there we will be shuttled by bush plane to the put-in, located in the mountains of the eastern Brooks Range. This actually starts our on-the-water rafting adventure! 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. We will be in paddle boats, with an oar boat for support (carrying gear). This trip is designed for wilderness exploration, hiking, wildlife viewing, 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, and in 2008 over 1,500 on the trip plus and another 10,000 to 15,000 on the flight over the coastal plain. Day 11: This is the last rafting 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 hotel, we will have our traditional post-trip no-host dinner (attendance optional) the evening of the last day. Lunch on this day is the last meal provided in the trip cost. Hotel for this night is included in the trip cost. Day 12: You can plan to fly home from Fairbanks, or stay to explore more of Alaska on your own. We will say good bye to this wonderful wilderness area, at least for now! 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 hotel the first night (June 11) before the rafting begins and the night of rafting (June 21) 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 possibility 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 hotel, including flights between Fairbanks and the Kongakut on the day two of the trip and back to our lodging on day eleven, is included in the trip cost. Should you arrive early, the University of Alaska Museum of the North is a very highly recommended place to visit. You can easily spend half a day there, and the extra price for the videos are well worth it. The University of Alaska Museum of the North, located on the Fairbanks campus, is the only museum in the state with a three part mission of research, teaching, and collecting. The museum's botanical, geological, zoological, and cultural collections, primarily from Alaska and the Circumpolar North, form the basis for understanding the local as well as the global past, present, and future. Through collection-based research, teaching, and public programs, the Museum shares its knowledge and collections with local, national, and international audiences of all ages and backgrounds. You can check it out on the web site: http://www.uaf.edu/museum/ You may also want to check out the China Hot Springs. This is located about an hour drive outside Fairbanks. Chena's recorded history dates to the early 1900's but there is evidence indigenous people used the water as well. The water boasts usage by people throughout Alaska, the Lower 48 and International visitors and dignitaries from every corner of the globe. The waters are timeless but the resort began when weary gold miners discovered that soaking in the oh-so-warm waters helped their aching bodies. You can book a trip in Fairbanks, or look on the web to book in advance. You can get more information on the web: http://www.chenahotsprings.com
 Photo: Jon Kangas The trip is priced for shared double accommodations at the hotel 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 (provided) while on the river. All meals, starting with lunch on day two and ending with lunch on the last rafting day (day eleven) 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 paddle 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, wetsuit booties, sleeping bag and pad, a shared two-person tent, and eating utensils. Each person will be issued an ammo can and two waterproof bags (about the size of a large pillowcase) to hold all of your personal gear and clothing. You can bring your own protective waterproof container for any fragile or electronic gear such as cameras that may not fit in the ammo can or if you prefer your own container. 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
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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? 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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Margie Tomenko has been a Sierra Club member for almost 20 years, and a leader for more than 15 years. She has led rafting trips on the Yampa, Green, Colorado, and North Fork of the Salmon rivers, as well as trips to Belize, Costa Rica, and the Galapagos Islands. Conservation, she feels, is crucial to the survival of all the world's species. Margie encourages prospective trip members to contact her directly with any questions.