Highlights

• Canoeing among ice-flows in the arctic ocean
• Visiting old eskimo villages along the coast
• Iconic arctic wildlife such as: caribou, arctic fox, eiders, and musk oxen
• Boat ride along the coast of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with a local Inupiat Eskimo guide.

Full Description

Canoeing at the End of the Earth - Demarcation Bay, Icy Reef and beyond

Alaska’s arctic coast is a storied region. It remains home to Inupiat Eskimos and, over the years, it has attracted whalers, mineral-seekers, and adventurers, all chasing their fortunes. It is a region of stunning beauty and richness. Seals haul-out on the arctic pack ice, which lodges on shore, in places 30’ high. Thousands of waterfowl collect in the lagoons and river deltas to rear their young. Tens of thousands of sea ducks migrate along this coast in July. Caribou stampede to the coast to avoid insect pests further inland. Long gravel barrier islands are littered with sun-bleached driftwood--among it, the remains of those who have come before. It is an austere landscape, suddenly vibrant and teeming with life during the short summer.

This arctic canoe trip will explore this rich and interesting area for a week in July. With ample time and endless daylight we can roam the tundra and coast watching the abundant wildlife, gaze for hours at the view in changing light, and/ or learn about life on this rugged coast. This is an ideal trip for birders, photographers or anyone wanting to see this enchanting coast.

Numerous lakes and ponds host nesting loons, swans and other waterfowl. The coastal tundra is thick with shorebirds and other nesting birds from the world over. The 9,000 foot peaks of the Brooks Range dominate the southern horizon, and the pack ice stretches off forever to the north. Many years, the Porcupine Herd of caribou move through this area by the thousands or tens of thousands in early July. If luck is with us we may get to sit in camp while throngs of caribou drift across the tundra. Even if we don’t see great masses of animals, there likely will be foxes denning, bears wandering, or even, as happened last year, a wolverine hunting in the tall grass.

We will start our trip where the Turner River empties into Demarcation Bay about 10 miles from the Canadian border. From here we will paddle around the bay and then follow a series of protected lagoons paralleling the coast. We will spend the first two days at the bay and your time will be your to do as you please whether that be photographing, birding, hiking or whatever. We will provide a knowledgeable guide, good, wholesome food, and as much freedom or guidance as you would like (safety permitting). The small party size allows everyone to focus on the magnificent landscape and its wild inhabitants. Hiking is good on the beach and inland along the Turner River. After seeing the shipwreck and other sites we will head west by northwest along the barrier island known as Icy Reef. In a typical year there is still sea-ice held fast to the shore and we can look for seals basking on the ice. Archeological sites are abundant on the islands and mainland and we can visit old Eskimo fish camps, turn of the century cabins, and grave yards. We can travel as much or as little as we like during our week of exploration. If the winds are with us we can cover 15 miles in a day. After a day of paddling there will still be time to bird, photograph or hike.