Photo: Kicab Castaneda-Mendez Walk on the Wild Side, Yukon Territory Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09023A Price: $3995 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 10 Leaders:
The Trip Unfortunately, this trip has been cancelled. If you have questions, please contact us. Photo: Kicab Castaneda-Mendez Dust off that atlas and find the Yukon. Now look north, about as far as you can go. That little Arctic town named Inuvik? That's not nearly remote enough for this trip. We'll take helicopters from Inuvik into the heart of the Richardson Mountains, a place unattainable by planes. There are only three recorded visits to this area, all by exploratory Sierra Club trips and two of them by the leaders of this trip. We will also explore areas never visited before. On previous trips the wildlife was abundant. On one trip we saw 13 grizzlies, some quite close. No one can guarantee wildlife sightings, of course, but this area has never felt the human impact that the remote Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has, therefore the animals have no reason to fear our presence. We'll have to decide on the route every day and learn from our mistakes. This is the Arctic of your childhood imagination. This is true exploration. Our group size of ten trip members and two leaders will help to make the journey more intimate. Great food, fun and very experienced leaders will make this an unforgettable experience.
 Photo: Kicab Castaneda-Mendez The group will meet in Inuvik, where we will have dinner and go over logistics. Weather permitting, we will fly in helicopters in groups of four to a spot in the Richardson Mountains where we have seen a great deal of wildlife before, crossing the vast MacKenzie River Delta. Along the way we will drop a food cache to be picked up later, lightening our fairly heavy packs. We'll end up at Barrett Lake where we will be picked up by float planes to get back to Inuvik. Our daily distance and the possibility of layover days depends on the terrain we discover. On a typical day, the group will hike about 6-7 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 tussosks 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.  Photo: Kicab Castaneda-Mendez Weather permitting, we'll return to Inuvik on the last day of the trip. Weather delays are not uncommon when flying into and out of the Arctic. Getting There There are regular commercial flights to and from Inuvik, but the schedules for summer 2009 are not out at the time of writing. You'll probably have to make a connection in a Canadian hub like Yellowknife or Whitehorse, and it's possible that you'll have to spend a night in one of those cities in order to make the connection to Inuvik. You should expect to pay approximately $1,000 for roundtrip airfare from the United States to Inuvik (Keep in mind, though, that airfares fluctuate). Participants will need accommodations in Inuvik on the nights of July 31 and August 12. The leaders will make a group reservation at a local hotel but trip participants will be responsible for the cost of lodging ($75/night) and meals ($30/day) in Inuvik.
Many of the meals that are planned are suitable for vegetarians; some are not. Vegetarians may be required to provide a small amount of their own food. The leaders will be glad to discuss this with potential participants. As usual on Sierra Club trips, all members help with cooking and clean-up chores, each person assisting on a couple of days. Trip members and leaders will all share in carrying food and equipment.
 Photo: Kicab Castaneda-Mendez This trip is for the experienced backpacker, and it's rated moderate/strenuous (M/S). We will hike a cross-country route the whole way, entirely dependent on our skills, common sense, and equipment. Stream crossings can be challenging, and 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 days of rain. 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 exposure (that's a nice way of saying that there is nothing but air below you). We are not, however, doing any dangerous climbing or any climbing that will require ropes or other technical equipment. We will go slowly when necessary and no one will be rushed through difficult sections of the hike. Backpacking can be difficult, and this trip is more difficult than most. Plan to come to the trailhead in good shape. Pack weight can be demanding and a slowing factor for hikers of any experience. Equipment and food will be more substantial that what is required on backpack trips in the Sierra or the Rockies; packs will weigh up to 50 pounds. We'll be carrying up to 20 pounds of commissary per person in addition to our personal gear when we start out.Elevations are low, so altitude shouldn't be a factor. Hiking mileage becomes meaningless in the Arctic, as some of the terrain can require a long hard day to move five miles. If you're looking to go to a place that very few people on earth have gone -- a true exploratory adventure -- then sign up. Please be completely frank when writing to the leader regarding your experience and physical condition. While this is not a trip for beginners, strong beginners with good balance, good humor, and a commitment to go out for a weekend or two before the trip should feel free to apply.
The leaders will send out a detailed equipment list prior to the trip and
are happy to discuss any questions you may have.
Maps Books
Conservation The Arctic contains special features that are invaluable to the rest of the world. With the largest remaining wilderness area in the Northern Hemisphere, the Arctic was recently recognized as an important indicator of the state of global well-being and climatic change. Additionally, the natural state of much of the Arctic makes this region an increasingly important area for scientific and environmental research. Damaging development and physical fragmentation must be halted and its consequences reversed. Sierra Club outings in Alaska and Arctic Canada 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 and Arctic Canada 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 and Arctic Canada 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.
Rich Gross has been leading Sierra Club National Outings in Alaska, the Canadian Arctic, and California for 18 years. He is also an avid mountaineer, having climbed a number of long alpine routes in the United States and Canada. His very first backpacking trip was on a Sierra Club outing in Yosemite, during which he made mistakes resulting in his being cold, wet, tired, and incredibly thrilled. He has a particular love for the Arctic because it makes him feel small and insignificant. His other passions include music (he sings in the San Francisco Symphony Chorus) and his 15 year old son Zack. In his real life, he works for a non-profit organization that finances and develops low-income, multifamily housing.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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