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ARCTIC REFUGE SOLSTICE BASE CAMP
Wilderness Wildlife & Birding
June 18-23 – Sorry, Full - Waitlist for Possible 2nd Trip
6 Days - $3,900 from Fairbanks
(Price includes a Nature Conservancy naturalist accompanying the trip and an optional $300 donation to TNC)

The northern edge foothills of the Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) next to the Arctic Ocean is are a wondrous place. Like the Porcupine Caribou and countless breeding birds, we migrate each summer to this far northeastern corner of Alaska for a hiking, birding and wildlife viewing trip based out of our Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) basecamp.

This trip offers Alaska wildlife viewing at its finest. Over 130,000 caribou migrate from their wintering grounds in Canada to bear their calves on the coastal plain in May and June. Large groups of caribou may pass through our base camp vicinity and are often followed by their predators: grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, arctic and red fox, and golden eagles.  Musk oxen browse the tundra and a multitude of tiny flowers flourish in the brief summer. An intricate chain of life maintains an exquisite balance in this land of extremes.

June in the northern foothills of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a busy time for birds and other wildlife. As the mercury climbs and the amount of daylight increases, snow and ice rapidly melt away and grasses, sedges and wildflowers burst from a long, cold, dark dormancy into lively color. About 74 species of birds migrate from far reaches of the globe to the Arctic Refuge each summer to nest; Yellow Wagtails travel from Africa, the American Golden Plover from Argentina.

We'll fly to a spot in the foothills in the northeastern Arctic Refuge to camp. This area is part of what is often referred to as “the biological heart” of the Refuge because it is a significant and concentrated breeding and feeding area for multiple species of birds and mammals. As the Gwich’in say, “Nobody knows the ways of the wind or the caribou.” While we do know that the caribou come through the foothills after calving on to the coastal plain to calve and seek insect relief, we can’t guarantee that we’ll intersect with large numbers of caribou – or any, for that matter. We have had excellent wildlife sightings from this camp. Whether day-hiking across the tundra or hanging out in our base camp, we'll explore this rich habitat during the period surrounding summer solstice.

Our group size will be 7 people or fewer (one WBA guide, one Nature Conservancy representative, and up to 5 participants). We hold a pre-trip meeting the evening before the trip begins. On Day 1, we fly from Fairbanks to Arctic Village in a Cessna Caravan.  In Arctic Village, we meet our bush pilot and begin shuttling the group to our Base Camp location in loads carrying  2-3 people per flight, taking three loads to get the whole group in. We set up camp not far from where the plane leaves us. You may need to carry your gear, and help carry the group gear, a few hundred yards. (We will work together to move the gear and set up camp.) During the trip, we’ll explore on foot in different directions each day. On Day 6, our bush pilot arrives (weather permitting) to shuttle us back to Arctic Village. We catch the afternoon flight from Arctic Village to Fairbanks, arriving around 5 or 6 PM. The trip ends upon our arrival in Fairbanks.

This trip is remote and can be moderately strenuous; outside help is days away. Participants need to be in good health, pack a positive attitude, and be capable of handling a variety of conditions. Anytime one ventures into the wilderness, one has to be prepared to deal with unexpected challenges. After all, what would a true adventure be without some unknowns?

The price of the trip includes all flights from Fairbanks to the Arctic Refuge and back, WBA guide, Nature Conservancy representative, all group gear (kitchen, first aid, library, etc.), all meals during the trip, and all permits. You are responsible for your Fairbanks logistics and expenses (lodging, meals, etc.) and your personal gear. Upon signing up for the trip, we provide an information packet to help you plan and prepare for the trip, including recommended lodging in Fairbanks.

A sampling of possible wildlife in this corner of the Arctic Refuge: Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaegers, Lapland and Smith’s Longspurs, Willow and Rock Ptarmigan, Golden Eagle and Gyrfalcon, Pacific and Red-throated Loons, American Golden Plover, Upland Sandpiper and a variety of other birds. Caribou, grizzly bear, musk ox, wolf, Dall sheep, moose, wolverine, and red fox are also possible.