Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Traverse

Hike Name: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Traverse Location: north AK Length: 230 Submitted by: Paul Dornisch Date Submitted: 1/4/08 Rating:	more Alaska trail reviews Alaska national parks Alaska state parks
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Description
This is a trailless hike from Arctic Village to Kaktovic, located on the Arctic Ocean. Expect it all: River fords, tussocks, tundra, muskeg, bears, wolves, sheep, caribou, mosquitoes beyond belief on the North Slope! This route up the spectacular Chandalar River and out the Hulahula River is not technical except for the many river fords. The first 30-35 miles of tussocks out of Arctic Village are very slow going, so expect to average 1.5 miles an hour maximum. You will need to be flown out to Kaktovic to avoid the muskeg at about 70 degrees north latitude unless you have a pack raft. I have been backpacking and climbing for 38 years and consider this hike to be my finest ever. To avoid expensive food drops we covered the estimated 230 miles in 10 days. For your peace of mind, consider a weapon, pepper spray, Ursacks and a satellite phone. This area is exceptionally remote. We saw nobody. No hope for rescue without some form of communication.

Directions to Hike
From Fairbanks, Alaska, fly daily scheduled flight to Arctic Village. Start walking the direction of your choice

Contact Information
Contacting someone is difficult. You are welcome to email me, Paul, at (janoflamingo@comcast.net) if you would like some first hand information, or Google ANWR.

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