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Instructor Amy Sheldon and students Lindsay Gibson and Justin Harkins link up to cross a cold, glacially-fed stream.
Photo: Chris Bessonette |
The Brooks Range is one of the wildest mountain ranges in North America. Stretched across the tundra north of the Arctic Circle, this Land of the Midnight Sun is defined by big open river bottoms, steep mountain slopes and expansive tundra. Much of the landscape lies above tree line and elevations range from sea level to over 9,000 feet.
The mountains are spectacular and rugged, and rivers flow through wilderness for hundreds of miles. It’s possible to see Dall sheep, moose, caribou, wolves, black and grizzly bears, and lynx as you travel. You’ll fly into these courses with an experienced Alaskan bush pilot.
Brooks Range Backpacking and River
You’ll spend the first 10 days of this extended arctic expedition on foot, moving across the tundra and up braided river channels. Then a bush plane will fly in to swap boots and backpacks for folding canoes and touring kayaks for a three-week trip down an arctic river, either the Sheenjek River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or the Noatak River in Gates of the Arctic National Park, one of North America’s largest mountain-ringed river basins.
Brooks Range Backpacking
Designed especially for students ages 23 and older, this 14-day course packs in backcountry travel lessons in the steep shale mountains, towering peaks and expansive tundra of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This is not a guided tour. You’ll learn the skills in these two weeks needed to travel in a mountain environment long after your course ends.
Backpacking and
River
 |
| Duration: |
40 days |
| Age: |
18 and Over (Average Age: 22) |
| Tuition: |
$7,150 |
| Dates: |
July 8-August 16, 2009
|
College Credit:
(Optional) |
8
Semester Credit Hours
2 Hours Environmental Ethics
2 Hours Leadership Techniques
4 Hours Skills Practicum |
| Course start/end: |
Palmer, Alaska |
| Equipment Deposit: |
$350 |
| Fly in/out: |
Anchorage, Alaska |
| Downloads: |
Course Description
(pdf)
Equipment List
(pdf) |
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Next Steps
|
Related Courses
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Backpacking
23 and Over
|
| Duration: |
14 days |
| Age: |
23 and Over |
| Tuition: |
$4,175 |
| Dates: |
2008
Aug. 10-Aug. 23, 2008
2009
August 9-August 22, 2009 |
College Credit:
(Optional) |
2
Semester Credit Hours
2 Hours Risk Assessment |
| Course start/end: |
Fairbanks, Alaska |
| Equipment Deposit: |
$200 |
| Fly in/out: |
Fairbanks, Alaska |
| Downloads: |
Course Description
(pdf)
Equipment List
(pdf) |
|
Next Steps
|
Related Courses
|
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