Photo: Andrew Ogden Caribou, Yoga, and You, Alaska Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09016A Price: $4595 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 4 Leader:
The Trip Unfortunately, this trip has been cancelled. If you have questions, please contact us. Photo: Andrew Ogden
In June the tundra and mountains north of the Arctic Circle are bathed in 24-hour daylight as the long winter releases its icy grip on the landscape. During the brief spring and summer, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a land of wild rivers rushing with snowmelt, ranging predators, migrating birds, prolific wildflowers, and the annual migration of the Porcupine caribou herd as it returns from eastern Canada to its ancestral calving grounds on the Coastal Plain. Our trip will visit a particularly scenic and wildlife-rich part of the Refuge. From of our base camp on the Jago River we will take day and overnight hikes to explore this beautiful area with the goal of finding scenic and other opportunities for participants and leaders to engage in photography, drawing, painting and other creative pursuits. At camp, we will have evening readings from Alaskan and arctic-themed literature, participants sharing their creative inspirations, and discussions about many of the conservation issues involving the Refuge and Alaska. There will also be daily yoga session for both beginners and those with more experience who wish to participate. In addition to a having the personal experience of a lifetime and a lot of fun, by visiting this vast, remote and wild place participants will not only come to appreciate its unique beauty but also find inspiration to expand their own creative horizons.
 Photo: Andrew Ogden Before our trip begins we will meet at a B&B in downtown Fairbanks to discuss the trip and go over our gear and supplies. Early on the first day of our trip, we will fly north from Fairbanks via regional air service to the Gwich'in settlement of Arctic Village. From there we will shuttle via bush plane in a spectacular flight over the Brooks Range to a tundra strip in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by the Jago River. We will establish our base camp near this landing strip. For the next seven days, from our base camp we will follow a flexible itinerary of day hikes and overnight trips to explore this exceptionally scenic area of the Refuge. Mornings will include an optional easy yoga session to loosen us up for the day’s adventures. Our hikes will include time especially set aside for wildlife viewing and for photography, drawing and painting, journal and other writing, and other creative pursuits. The length and difficulty of our hikes will depend on the group’s goals and fitness, weather and other considerations. Possible hikes include exploring the steep mountain valleys near our base camp and an overnight trip to the edge of the broad coastal plain where it is likely that we may see a significant portion of the Porcupine Caribou herd. Whatever routes we follow we will see stunningly beautiful mountains and glaciers, abundant bird and wildlife, unique vegetation and wild flowers, and visit spots where few people have ever traveled. There will also be time in our base camp to relax, read, and enjoy the quiet of the wilderness. During the evenings, in addition to readings from Alaska and arctic-themed literature and conservation discussions, participants will be encouraged to share their creative knowledge and inspirations with the group. On the last day we will end our trip with another spectacular flight by bush plane from the Jago landing strip to Arctic Village and then by scheduled air service to Fairbanks. Getting There Fairbanks is served daily by a number of scheduled airline flights either directly from many parts of the lower 48 states or connecting through Anchorage. You must schedule your flights or other travel arrangements so that you arrive at least one full day, and preferably two days, before our scheduled trip departure to allow time for pre-trip organization and for any delays in the arrival of your gear and baggage. Your departure from Fairbanks should be scheduled at least a full day after our scheduled return date to allow for possible delays in our return due to weather or other conditions.
 Photo: Andrew Ogden The cost of lodging in Fairbanks before and after the trip is not included in the trip price. The leaders will reserve rooms at the 4 Street B & B (which includes breakfast) for everybody, but participants may make their own arrangements for lodging if they desire. All nights in the Refuge will be spent camping. All meals and snacks are provided for the entire trip beginning with dinner on the first day, and the menu will be vegetarian-friendly but not vegan as it will include dairy and eggs. Participants are responsible for notifying the trip leader of any special dietary requirements. The Sierra Club will furnish stoves, pots, cooking gear, and fuel. All meals will be prepared and eaten as a group, and everybody will be required to take turns assisting in the preparation of meals, cleaning up afterwards, and with other camp chores. Water in this area of the Refuge is very clean and many travelers (including the leaders) drink it without filtration or treatment. However, on our trip all water used in food preparation will be either boiled or treated. If they wish to treat water for their personal use, individual participants should provide their own purification equipment.
We will be hiking in a rugged wilderness area with no improved trails. Hiking will be on tundra, river bars, and following wildlife trails. The length and difficulty of our hikes will be determined by the group’s fitness, and typically will not exceed 5-6 miles at altitudes ranging between 1,000’ to 3,000’. Although we will not be trekking long distances, because of the lack of established trails, the need to cross streams, rivers and traverse rugged terrain, and the highly variable nature of Arctic weather and wilderness travel, this trip is rated Moderate. Therefore, participants should be in good physical condition with at least some experience hiking in wilderness terrain and camping in adverse weather conditions. Also, participants should note that it is likely that we may be hiking with wet feet as crossing streams, rivers and soggy terrain will be necessary.
 Photo: Andrew Ogden Participants should appreciate they will be outside for the entire trip with little opportunity to be sheltered out of the weather except when in camp. Because of the changeable weather, participants should be prepared to camp and to be active in rain and other adverse weather, sometimes for several days at a time. Proper equipment selection is critical and all equipment should be field tested before trip departure. We especially urge you to bring only high-quality clothing and boots, high-quality lightweight equipment, good binoculars, and as little of everything else as possible. Participants will need to supply their own tent, backpack, sleeping bag, rain gear, and personal mess kit. In addition to their personal gear, when we are backpacking each participant will be expected to carry approximately 10-12 pounds of group food and gear, and the weight of your personal gear will need to be limited accordingly. Confirmed participants will receive a detailed equipment list after signup. Fishing will be variable at this time of year, and grayling and arctic char may be found in some streams and rivers. Fishing licenses are required and may be purchased at sporting goods stores in Fairbanks or from the Department of Revenue, Fish and Game Division, Pouch SA, Juneau AK 99811. The remoteness of the Refuge requires that we be self-sufficient for the duration of our trip. Leaders will carry a first-aid kit and a satellite phone for communicating with our pilot and for use in medical or other emergencies. The weather in the Refuge at this time of year is usually mild, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s, but will be colder at higher elevations and is very changeable at any time. You should anticipate and be prepared for strong sun, fog, drizzle to heavy rain, strong winds and possibly snow.
Maps USGS quadrangles: 1:250,000 "Demarcation Point"; 1:63,360 “Demarcation Point “B-4, B-5. Books
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Conservation The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the last intact ecological systems in the world, and protecting it is among the highest priorities of nearly every major environmental organization. At this time the Refuge is under considerable political pressure by both resource development advocates and by the effects of climate change. During our trip we will discuss the conservation, economic and other issues affecting exploitation of Alaska 's natural resources and of opening the Refuge to energy development, and the effort to designate all of the Refuge as wilderness. We will also discuss the short and long-term effects of climate change that are affecting the Alaskan Arctic. Participants will also learn how to keep abreast of developments affecting the Refuge and how to become advocates for its protection. 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.
 Photo: Andrew Ogden Janet Cerretani, an art director from Boulder, Colorado has backpacked, climbed, hiked and canoed in Alaska, the Northeast, the Tetons, and in the Rocky Mountains. She hopes all participants will share her enthusiasm in viewing and protecting the amazing wilderness of Alaska. General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Andrew Ogden lives in Boulder, Colorado, the home base from which
he pursues his passion for outdoor adventure and travel. Andrew is an
experienced backpacker, alpine and backcountry skier, climber, and a veteran of several treks in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge
as well as other parts of Alaska. Andrew enjoys helping others access the Alaskan
wilderness, and safely and respectfully travel in backcountry
areas. He also uses his political and legal experience to support the
efforts of the Sierra Club and other environmental organizations. Andrew
hopes that you will contact him with any questions about this trip.