Welcome to the adventure of a lifetime! Our group will visit the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in its finest hour. Summer is bursting forth on the tundra and we will have the amazing opportunity to raft 80 miles down the most spectacular river on the “ North Slope”. With good fortune we will see the annual migration of the Porcupine Caribou herd—truly one of nature’s most dramatic displays.

The emerald waters of the Canning allow for wonderful photographic opportunities. Caribou crossing the river, muskoxen grazing on the open tundra, moose and dall sheep feeding along the banks, and grizzly bears foraging on the hillsides above. Let’s not forget wolves, snowy owls, wolverines, and foxes—not to mention gyr falcons, golden eagles, tundra swans and numerous waterfowl. To those who look carefully, this land is always alive with the signs of the animals that live here.

Is this trip for me? Do you possess an adventurous spirit? A flexible and charitable outlook? Are you comfortable with being cut off from the civilized world by hundreds of miles? Will you be a contributing expedition member—helping with camp chores and sharing yourself with others. Can you smile when a cold wind is blowing 20 knots in your face, or mosquitoes force you to don your bug net? Will you have a sense of humor if we encounter several days of rain—in a row? Do you appreciate the special responsibility and extraordinary opportunity involved with visiting this one-of-a-kind wilderness? If you have answered yes to the above—we hope you will join us!

Pre-Trip Meeting: More Info
We will have a pre-trip meetings for those from the San Diego area. The meeting will be scheduled once we have a full trip. The meeting will be introductory in nature allowing us to get to know each other and covering the specifics of the trip in detail. Our second meeting will take place the first night in Fairbanks , at the B & B where we will finally all meet over dinner. This will also give the trip leaders a chance to check to ensure everyone has packed the appropriate gear and clothing.

THE RIVER: Flowing north from its source among Arctic peaks, the Canning plummets through varied wildlife habitat, from mountain to marshland, from canyon to coastal beach, entirely above tree line within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. After a spectacular flight over the Brooks Range, we paddle rafts through chiseled canyons with sculpted ice and lively rapids. A migratory route for the Porcupine Caribou herd, we are likely to see plenty of wildlife as we move through the valley to the last foothills overlooking the Arctic Ocean. Located on the western border of the Refuge in the northeast corner of Alaska, the Canning offers a unique opportunity to intimately explore a wide array of habitats and environments within a relatively short distance.Nowhere else is the topography so dramatic. Fifty miles south of the Arctic Ocean stands the tallest mountain in the Brooks Range. This concentration of habitats dramatically increases the number of ecological niches visited and thus exposes a much wider variety of species. 

MORE ABOUT THIS AREA: The diversity and sheer magnitude of the wildlife within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is comparable to the Serengeti Plains of Tanzania in Africa. We have caribou and they have wildebeest. We have grizzlies and they have lions. Gray wolves compare with their leopards. Muskoxen and fox equal cape buffalo and jackals respectively. ANWR is an immense 19 million acre preserve of unnamed mountains that slope towards the Beaufort Sea. Uncompromising, stunning and isolated, this is the summer calving and migration route for 175,000 Porcupine Caribou. This migration is possibly the most supreme natural event to take place in the far north. We hope to see caribou nursing newborn fawns—and hundreds or thousands moving across the open tundra.

At this time of year the tundra is uncovering itself from the blanket of a long winter. Arctic poppies, tundra blueberries, mountain avens, moss campion and Arctic cottongrass are all beginning to flower. Our bush pilot will fly us into the Romanzof Mountains of the ANWR landing us on a gravel bar at the headwaters of the Marsh Fork and Canning Rivers. We are in the shadow of the infamous Brooks Range—stretching sharply 600 miles from the Canadian border to the Bering Sea—the northernmost mountain range in the world. To put it bluntly, we have an opportunity to visit the greatest remaining wilderness area on earth!

COST: The price for this trip of a life-time is $4200.00.A $1,500 deposit is required to reserve a space. The balance of payment is due on or before May 25. Make checks payable to the Associated Students of SDSU. We also accept Visa and MasterCard.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: The price of the trip includes all costs from our city of departure— Fairbanks, Alaska. Bush plane charters, lodging and transportation in and to Coldfoot, rafts, hearty meals and snacks, all group camping, kitchen and boating equipment, emergency medical kits and other safety devices, two trip leaders--one “Alaskan” guide and one Aztec Adventures trip leader. We will also provide trip members with complete equipment outfitting such as tents, sleeping bags, foam pads, rain suits, rubber boots, camp chairs, dry bags, etc.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: The price does not include round trip airfare to Fairbanks, meals in Fairbanks, or transportation to and from the airport.

CANCELLATION POLICY: This trip, because of its nature and commitment level, requires a different procedure than our standard Aztec Adventures trip cancellation policies. As part of the confirmation packet you will receive a short term travel insurance brochure. We highly recommend the purchase of this insurance as it provides complete coverage for cancellation as well as medical evacuations, etc. If you cancel from this trip thirty (30) days or more prior to June 30, you are entitled to a refund less a twenty-five percent (25%) handling fee or a credit voucher for the full amount to be used within one year of issue. If you cancel from this trip after the aforementioned deadline and two weeks prior to June 30 you will receive a refund less 25% handling fee or a credit voucher—only if we can fill your space. If we cannot fill your space we will need to deduct a 50% handling fee. Cancellations with less than two weeks notice will result in a 75% loss of fees.

ARRIVING EARLY/STAYING LATER: We have always encouraged all of our Alaska trip members, over the years, to maximize their time in the “Great Land”. By all means, please arrive early and stay late. There are amazing sights to see in and around the Fairbanks area or you could take a train ride from Fairbanks to Anchorage with a stop in Denali National Park—the possibilities are endless. Please know, however, that nothing you do before or after the trip will compare to the Canning experience!

LODGING: Our trip will begin and end in Fairbanks. We will stay at a local bed and breakfast in Fairbanks on the first night of the trip. There are a variety of lodging options depending on your budget and comfort needs if you desire to arrive early or stay late. All trip members will be sent a list of recommended hotels, motels, hostels and B & B’s in their confirmation packet.

PRE-TRIP MEETINGS: We will have a pre-trip meetings for those from the San Diego area. The meeting will be scheduled once we have a full trip. The meeting will be introductory in nature allowing us to get to know each other and covering the specifics of the trip in detail. Our second meeting will take place the first night in Fairbanks, at the B & B where we will finally all meet over dinner. This will also give the trip leaders a chance to check to ensure everyone has packed the appropriate gear and clothing.

MINIMUM IMPACT: Because of the remoteness of this trip, we expect everyone participating to be knowledgeable and comfortable with practicing minimum impact rafting /camping skills. There will be no bathroom facilities, garbage cans, designated camping areas, etc. Everything we pack in will be packed out and we will minimize our impact by carrying stoves and only building small fires when appropriate. All trip members will be required to practice minimum impact skills while on the trip. Specific procedures for brushing your teeth, disposing of your personal garbage, packing out your toilet paper, washing your hands, etc. will be discussed and demonstrated at both your pre-trip meetings and on the trip.

PARTICIPATION: Plan on being a contributing member of a group of eight. We will make decisions as one group, travel as one group, and share the work equally as one group. Paddling will be hard work at times. Everyone will be expected to keep a steady pace—so as to keep the group together and insure safety. On layover days we will travel/explore utilizing the "buddy system", specifically for safety reasons. Please note, if you are the independent type who prefers to do things alone, then this trip may not meet your needs.

HEALTH/PHYSICAL CONDITIONING: As with any Wilderness adventure, the better prepared you are, the more you will enjoy yourself. We will be hiking “cross-country” as there are no established trails. We will challenge ourselves by following animal trails and the logical contours of the land. Hiking will be moderate to strenuous depending on the elevation gain or loss. The rewards of this type of travel are inestimable—yet physically demanding at times. Everyone helps paddle the rafts with the assistance of our guides (4 people in each raft). Previous experience is not necessary—we will provide instruction. Upper body strength is always a plus in any paddling sport.

RISKS/HAZARDS: Where do we begin? We will be driving in a van from Fairbanks to Wiseman Alaska on the “ Haul Road” that leads all the way north to Prudhoe Bay. The road is mostly paved with some gravel areas. The small bush planes that will fly us into and out of the ANWR will only fly during “good” weather conditions. It is very possible that our departure can be delayed at any point in the trip—coming or going. We will be rafting a fast moving wild river with rapids and ice cold water. Falling out of the raft will present you with instant hypothermia. The weather can and probably will change rapidly—it will be important to guard against this by always having appropriate clothing readily accessible. The terrain is rugged and the wildlife is “wild”. A close encounter with a Grizzly Bear will test all of our judgment and decision-making abilities. Specific details will be covered at the pre-trip meetings—or please contact the trip leader.

SAFETY: We will be literally days from advanced medical facilities and safety must be of primary importance. Everyone on this trip must make a conscious effort at all times to be safe. We expect everyone to accept the responsibility of keeping oneself and the group free of injury. One person's disdain for safety will always result in more hardship for the group. If we do have an accident or injury that requires medical evacuation, the trip will most likely be immediately over without refund. Everyone will also be asked to assist with the evacuation if needed. Our leaders are Wilderness First Responders. They are trained to administer first aid in this type of environment. However, while they can treat injuries -- they cannot always prevent them.

LEADERSHIP: This trip is designed for people who are self-motivated and want to make the most of their Alaska Wilderness Adventure. We expect everyone to contribute to the day-to-day leadership and decision-making process. In addition, we hope everyone will share any areas of special expertise that will enhance the trip. Finally, our leaders want most of all to share this extraordinary experience with everyone rather than spend a lot of time giving directions (the polite phrase for telling people what to do).

PREPARATION SKILLS: No white water river paddling experience is necessary to join this expedition. However, it is important to have some prior “wilderness” or remote backcountry camping experience. The Arctic Wilderness is incomparable to any backcountry or wilderness area in the lower 48 states. The terrain and weather can test even the most experienced outdoor adventurer physically and emotionally—thus demanding respect at all times. Being comfortable with primitive camping techniques—where there are no toilets--or any other conveniences of comfort will help you make more informed choices.

WEATHER: Weather varies in the Brooks Range, oftentimes by the hour. Snow is a possibility at anytime of the year—however temperatures can reach the 80’s in early July. Storms move through this area powerfully—yet quickly. One should never expect the same weather or conditions to last long—good or poor. Everyone must be prepared for a combination of wet, windy, cold, sunny and hot weather all in a 24 hour period. High’s of 80’s and lows of 30’s. Keep in mind that the Arctic is very dry and desert like—so even after rain or snow, things evaporate and dry out quickly. Your equipment and clothing must be durable and of high quality. Lastly, the mountains or coast may be fogged in, causing air transport delays, of hours or days, at the beginning and end of the trip.

CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT: Everyone must make a commitment to only bring the bare essentials. You must be comfortable wearing the same clothes day after day! Each person will be limited to one large dry bag - no exceptions. Each trip member is limited to 35 pounds per person (it will cost you $.75 for each additional pound)—it is very important to keep our weight down for the airplane shuttles as we will also be carrying some very heavy group gear (rafts, etc.) NOTE: Detailed equipment and clothing lists will be discussed in length at pre-trip meetings.

FOOD/COOKING: Plan on this aspect of the trip being one of the most rewarding. We hope you will be amazed (as many of our trip members have been) by some of the delicious dishes we will prepare together. Before the trip we will discuss the menu we have planned and the type of food we will bring. Hot drinks are typically very popular on this trip and are good for helping people stay hydrated in the cool weather. Lastly, but most importantly, all trip members will share equally in clean up of all meals.

CAMPING/CAMPSITES: River rafting trips are the Cadillac of Wilderness experiences. These rubber boats carry all of our gear, allowing us to carry more fresh food—and hike unhindered by heavy backpacks. We will camp as close to the bank (gravel bars) of the river as appropriate—thereby minimizing our impact on the surrounding vegetation and wildlife.

SUGGESTED READING: E.C. Pielou, A Naturalist’s Guide to the Arctic; Barry Lopez, Arctic Dreams; Margaret Murie, Two in the Far North; Nick Jans, Last Night Breaking; Debbie Miller, Midnight Wilderness: Journeys in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; T.H. Watkins, Vanishing Arctic: Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; Subhankar Banejee, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life & Land; Rick Bass, Caribou Rising: Defending the Porcupine Herd, Gwich-‘in Culture and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; National Wildlife Federation, The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain: A Perspective for the Future Report to the U.S. Congress;

“There may be people who feel no need for wilderness. They are fortunate, perhaps. But for those of us who feel otherwise, who feel something is missing unless we can hike across land disturbed only by our footsteps or see creatures roaming freely as they have always done, surely there should be a wilderness.” - Margaret Murie

Canning River Rafting Expedition-- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
June 30 – July 14, 2007

Proposed Itinerary

Sat. 6/30: Arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska. Enjoy city on your own if arriving early. Meet at the Bridgewater Hotel, 6pm, for dinner and pre-trip meeting with our Alaska Guides.

Sun. 7/1: Depart Fairbanks, early morning, via van shuttle for Coldfoot, Alaska. This will be a seven hour scenic/adventure ride through some very remote country. We will spend night at a Bed & Breakfast and meet our bush pilots.

Mon.-Tues.

7/2 & 7/3: Fly by Beaver, the “work horse” of the Arctic, to the put-in. Inflate rafts and float for approx. 3 hours and set up a two-day base camp. Great mountain hiking following the river valley up its narrows. With 24 Hours of daylight we can hike all night. On the look out for grizzly bears, wolves, arctic fox, wolverine and moose.

Wed. 7/4: On the river. Beautiful steep canyon walls, with deep pools, filled with arctic

char. Whitewater ahead! We will teach you all the skills needed to navigate as a team

through the rocks and rapids. Don’t forget to look up—there’s wildlife to be seen.

Thurs.–Sat..

7/5, 6, & 7: Layover days. More great hikes up side canyons. A couple of National Landmarks lie within the river corridor: Shublik Hot Springs and Canning Forest. The warm springs arise near a tributary of the Canning River, supporting a stand of balsam poplar (Cottonwoods) trees—the farthest they are found in the Arctic. In addition a lush diversity of vegetation exists here as well

Sun. 7/8: Back on the River searching for wildlife and taking in dramatic scenery. Arrive at

the foothills of the Sadlerochit Mountains with hopes of viewing herds of muskoxen.

Mon-Tue. 7/9 &10: Our last two full days will consist of day hiking and exploring as much area as we can with the goal of seeking high ground to catch a glimpse of the Arctic Ocean.

Wed. 7/11: Break down rafts and pack up gear for the last time. Squeeze in a short hike, if time

allows, to photograph wildlife. Fly back to Coldfoot via the reverse route that took us to the Canning. Clean-up and meet for farewell dinner at Bed & Breakfast.

Thurs. 7/12: Depart Coldfoot early morning and drive 7 hours back to Fairbanks. Say farewell to group and spend night in Fairbanks on your own. Please Note: July13 is our extra day that we have to reserve in the event that poor weather prevents us from being flown in or out of Coldfoot. Make reservations to fly home on July 14 or later.

EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING LIST
(List will be covered in detail at pre-trip meetings)

CLOTHING : Bring wool or synthetics (polypropylene, fleece, etc.) It’s likely that you’ll end up with one set of damp clothes (your paddling/hiking clothes) and one set of dry, warm clothes for camp so keep this in mind as you make your clothing selections before packing them. Please do not even think about skimping on clothing—as this trip is no place to test fate or mother nature.

• Rubber boots - these will be your primary footwear for the entire trip. You will wear these boots inside the raft and around camp when it is wet. The boots must be approx. knee high.
• Waterproof Hiking Boots – we will be traversing some very wet/rugged terrain on our day hikes—you will want to keep your feet dry and well supported.
• Wool and/or Wool Blend Socks – minimum of 4 pairs
• Gaiters – these are waterproof “leggings” that keep water from entering the tops of your boots. We can provide these.
• Mid weight long john bottoms
• Expedition weight long john bottoms
• Pile or Fleece pants
• Waterproof rain pants
• Nylon shorts
• Mid weight long john top – 2 pair
• Expedition weight long john top
• 1 Pile or fleece jacket or heavy wool sweater
• Waterproof rain jacket or parka with hood
• Nylon blend camp shirt
• 1 or 2 wool or fleece stocking caps
• Baseball cap
• Rain hat – waterproof hat with brim
• Mosquito head net
• Bandanas
• Waterproof gloves – neoprene or rubber kitchen gloves
• Lightweight fleece or wool gloves
• Long sleeve flannel shirt and lightweight long pants (Cotton!!) – to be used if the mosquitoes become bad. Cotton absorbs mosquito repellent without melting the fabric.

EQUIPMENT:

• Dry Bag - to transport all of your stuff – make sure it all fits in one bag!
• Tent – 2 or 3 person. Must be lightweight, waterproof, free standing, and roomy enough to store wet clothing and still sleep comfortably—we will provide these!
• Ground sheets – one for wet clothes and gear inside the tent and one for placing underneath the tent—we will provide.
• Sleeping pad – ensolite or Thermarest – must be compact—we will provide!
• Mug, bowl, spoon. Metal or plastic. Large insulated mugs are highly recommended—we can provide.
• Camp chair or stool. (a small three-legged stool keeps you off the ground when it’s raining.)—we can provide camp chairs.
• Sleeping bag – rated to 20F or 0F if you sleep cold. This bag must be small and compact and of synthetic material so that if it gets wet on the outside, it will still insulate you inside—we can provide.
• Thermos – one liter. We will be consuming a lot of hot drinks. Having a thermos in your daypack with your favorite hot drink on a cold rainy day is a “godsend”.
• Water bottle – two will be plenty as long as each is 1 quart in size.
• Trekking Poles—three piece collapsible types. These hiking poles are invaluable when traversing the tundra “tussocks” on our day hikes.
• Binoculars—Trust us!! You will truly get what you pay for with this piece of equipment!
• Small Flashlight or headlamp – NOT!!!! Seriously, you will not need one.
• Pocket knife
• Sunglasses with retaining strap – hopefully we will need them!
• Camera and lots of film – bring ten more roles of film than you think you will need—trust us!
• Plastic bags – small and large (quart and gallon size) ziploc as well as trash compactor bags for keeping gear dry – you can never have enough!
• Duct tape – roll off fifteen feet or so onto a small pencil
• Matches and/or lighter in waterproof container
• Day Pack for carrying your essentials when day hiking
• Fly Rod (5-8wt. range)—your leaders are avid fly fishermen and will hopefully grace the dinner table with a few Arctic Char.

PERSONAL TOILETRIES:

• Toilet paper with two Ziploc bags – we will be packing out our used paper
• Toothbrush and paste – travel size
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Biodegradable soap – small container
• Insect repellent—one bottle of 100% DEET—accept no substitutes!! And another bottle of 17-20% DEET (lotion type—highly recommended)
• Camp towel
• Small first aid kit for personal needs (band-aids, aspirin, etc.)

GROUP GEAR THAT AZTEC ADVENTURES WILL PROVIDE:

• Waterproof rain tarps – for keeping the group out of the rain during meals and social times.
• Expedition first aid kits – our staff are certified wilderness first responders.
• Stoves, fuel and all cooking gear – pots, pans, utensils, etc.
• Safety & rescue gear – land to air radios, satellite phone, throw ropes, emergency flares, etc.
• Repair kits – to repair anything that might break down.
• Water bags – 2+ gallon bags for camp use – bathing, cooking, etc.
• Rafts, paddles, personal floatation devices (life jackets) and all other raft related essentials.

FOR EVEN MORE DETAILED INFORMATION: My name is Jim Lustig. I have been coordinating the entire Aztec Adventures Outdoor Program for sixteen years. I will be personally leading this trip with the help of one of my colleagues, Gavin Vaughan, owner of Alakshak Expeditions for a fourth straight year. Our trip the last three years during these same dates were extraordinary. Between the two of us you will be hard pressed to find more outdoor leadership experience.

I look forward to answering any questions you may have about this trip or putting you in contact with last year’s trip members for their insights. Please contact me directly.

My e-mail is: jim.lustig@sdsu.edu My direct phone number is (619) 594-7271

My office on the SDSU campus is located in The Aztec Recreation Center on 55 th Street.

On behalf of Aztec Adventures, I welcome the opportunity to share this extraordinary wilderness adventure with you. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is currently threatened by oil drilling. It is my hope that those of us that have the good fortune of visiting and appreciating the remaining wild places on this planet will join the fight for preserving them unimpaired for the future.

“The next day I stroll to the top of a nearby bluff. Twenty-four caribou are crossing the stream just below me . . . . Later I awaken from a nap, and two caribou are perhaps 20 to 30 feet up wind, sniffing for danger. Back in camp, there are shouts. Two muskoxen are trundling by within spitting distance of the tents.”
- Joel Connelly, Seattle Post Intelligencer

Phone:
(619) 594-7271

Email: jim.lustig@sdsu.edu

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