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From the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean
A packrafting expedition from the headwaters of the Hulahula River, across the Romanzof Mountains, down the Okpilak River, out to the Beaufort Sea and the Arctic Ocean
Plans
Brooks Range to Kaktovik
The plan is straightforward on paper. Fly from Fairbanks into Grasser's Strip (69.1° N,-144.61° W) at the headwaters of the Hulahula River, travel up onto the Okpilak glacier, then inflate the packrafts and ride the Hulahula north through its canyon, across the coastal plain, and out to the Beaufort Sea. From there, we'll cross the sea ice across the Arey Lagoon, down the coast west to Kaktovik (70.1° N,-143.6° W) on Barter Island, and catch the seat flight home. With the solstice just passed, we'll be traveling under 24 hours of daylight - the sun barely touching the mountains in the night, before rising again above us. I plan to navigate with map and compass, using dead reckoning unless things become unsafe. Here's our rough plan, with 10m sat images from monday.
Story
Packrafting around the Arrigatch
A partial wheel, connecting the Noatak and Atlana rivers, with a trip up and down Arrigetch Creek