Off the beaten path...

Since veering off topic seems to be a trend around here, I figured this would be an easy way for Chris to share a little of his recent packrafting trip to Alaska.

There were seven guys total, including one guide. The group flew to Fairbanks, met up with Rick & the guide, and headed north. 

A chartered van dropped us about 60 miles or so north of Wiseman on the Dietrich River. We crossed the river into a valley where we followed Kuyuktuouk Creek up to its headwater and over a 4,400-foot pass. Picked up Alinement Creek on the other side and followed it to the north fork of the Koyukuk River, inflated the rafts and ran the river for 4 days down to Delay Pass. Crossed Delay Pass to Glacier River, went upstream for a day until we could cross overland to a mining camp called Nolan where the chartered van picked us up. The hike out took 2 1/2 days, portions of each day spent navigating tussocks, some thigh deep. (Google tussock mounds.) About 100 straight line miles over 10 days, more like 130 actually traveled.

Here's a video from the trip that Rick put together:



Or watch it on YouTube.