Brooks Range Backpacking: Practical Lessons Learned From the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

[Jörgen Johansson]

Companion forum thread to: Brooks Range Backpacking: Practical Lessons Learned From the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

On his Brooks Range Backpacking trip, Jorgen Johansson learns the best ways to cross streams and that paradise is not as far as you think.

[Ken Thompson]

Excellent read as always Jorgen. Thanks.

[Brad Rogers]

Fantastic read Jorgen!!!   I have always enjoyed reading about your epic adventures in northern Alaska.  Your commentary on the tundra was spot on!

I first backpacked in Alaska last year and I admit I was surprised by many things, the muskeg and tussocks, the dense alder, dwarf birch, and willow thickets, and most of all the remoteness.  I have backpacking in what I felt were pretty remote places in the lower 48, but the vastness and solitude in some (most) areas of Alaska is unreal.  That feeling when the bush plane leaves and you realize you are the only human within ~100 miles is a very unique feeling.

I can’t wait to go back in 2017

 

[Jörgen Johansson]

Brad, yes it is a special feeling to know you are alone in the middle of a vast wilderness. Addictive :-) Glad you enjoyed the article.

[Bruce Johnson]

Thank you! The bracing sort of peace in that wilderness shines through in your writing.

[Shawn Bearden]

Amazing. Thanks for sharing. I’m beginning to think this is something I must experience.

[Robert Fomenko]

Great read. Not having any experience with river crossings, I learned a lot. Always wanted to cross a fork of the upper Snoqalamie river in Washington to explore a seldom treked valley, but was always afraid to try it solo. You insights will one day come in handy.

Thanks.

[AK Granola]

No mosquitoes on your trek? No black flies? Your photos are wonderful.

[Jörgen Johansson]

Hi Karen,

Thank you :-) Mosquitoes were pretty bad in many areas in 2014, when I thru-hiked the ANWR. A head net was needed to preserve my sanity, and minimize DEET use. They were not so bad in 2015 (or my perspective has changed…). No blackflies or biting flies that I can recall. And you usually recall :-)

[Danny Milks]

Fantastic story and photos. Thank you for sharing Jorgen.

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