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

Excellent read as always Jorgen. Thanks.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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 :-)

Fantastic story and photos. Thank you for sharing Jorgen.