Our schedule on the Kongakut will be leisurely and flexible since we'll
have nearly continuous daylight. There will be opportunities for taking
short walks and full day hikes, photographing wildlife and fantastic
displays of wildflowers, and fishing for Arctic char and grayling. We'll
travel the river in inflatable rafts, each propelled by several
participants maneuvering paddles into the swift current. No prior paddle
rafting experience is necessary. It is easy to learn, and each boat has a
guide. The Kongakut has no "big water" but it is a very fast and fun
river. There are several small rapids to negotiate and breathtaking
mountain and valley scenery along the entire route. Guests are expected to
be in excellent health for spending 10 days in the Arctic environment.
Begins and ends in Fairbanks.
Day 1 - Plan for an early breakfast. This day is mostly devoted
to flying north! We drive to the airport and begin our long flight across
the Yukon River Flats to the Native community of Arctic Village. We then
switch to smaller planes and continue north over the Brooks Range and on
to the upper Kongakut River. We'll land on a small gravel bar along the
river, about 10 miles north of the Continental Divide, and set up our
first camp.
Days 2-9 - Our schedule on the Kongakut will be flexible, since
we'll have 24 hours of daylight each day! We will have ample opportunity
for short walks, long hikes, photographing wildlife and fantastic displays
of wildflowers, and fishing for Arctic char and grayling (for those who
bring fishing gear). We'll float the river in paddle rafts, where we work
together to negotiate the swift current. We'll encounter breathtaking
mountain and valley scenery along the entire route. This area is one of
our most fascinating and ecologically diverse national treasures. There
will be much to see and explore. Everyone is talking about the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge. Your experience and knowledge gained on this
trip will give you more credibility in any discussion of the refuge.
