Brooks Range, Alaska
Gates of the Arctic National ParkMy eighteen-day solo trek in the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve was probably the most remote I have ever been. I was transported by floatplane from Bettles, AK to a small lake in the preserve. Almost three weeks later I was picked up from another lake near the Continental Divide. The route mostly followed the North Fork Koyukuk River.
A few days into the hike I fell while scrambling down a steep slope and broke my right hand. My swollen hand can be seen in a few of the photographs. It wasn’t too bad after the first night but it made rolling the tent and sleeping bag up every morning a bit uncomfortable. I have never seen more large mammals any other place. I saw wolf, grizzly bear, Dall sheep, moose, and caribou on this trek. | View Gates of the Arctic in a larger map |
