Flying into ANWR in 2025? (Barrel drop for 700-mi. road–border–road walk)

[Bjorn W]

After a few self-supported trips in the Brooks, including a big one in 2021 (Haul Road–Anaktuvuk Pass–Arrigetch–Ambler), I’m planning a solo trip east of the road this year, to the border / eastern end of the range, and back to the road (~700 mi.). The idea is to resupply twice from the same barrel, once on the way out and once on the way back.

I’m looking for someone who is considering or already planning to take a bush plane into ANWR sometime in June 2025. While I could charter a plane just for my barrel (and it could be picked up empty later in the summer in conjunction with someone else’s trip), it would be much cheaper to send the barrel with someone else who is going in that direction. This would reduce the total number of flights, and I could compensate to some degree for the trouble of taking it along.

Both the dates of my trip and the location of the barrel drop-off are flexible. I’d start around June 10–14 from the road. A potential place for the barrel drop-off is by the Hula Hula (Grassers strip)—if I started on June 12 and the barrel were dropped there, I’d stop by it for the first time around June 24, just to give an idea of pace. I’ll make it back to the road in mid-July.

If you’re reading this and live in Fairbanks or Anchorage but aren’t taking a trip: Get in touch if you might be headed up the road in early- to mid-June and would consider offering a ride. I’ve always hitched up the Haul Road without planning a ride in advance (I know about the Dalton Highway Express, but prefer a hitchhiking experience), but it can’t hurt to plan ahead. I’ll be in Alaska from the beginning of June, so there will be time to coordinate.

[David Thomas]

I *might* be up for a road trip like that.  I’m in Kenai and met Manfred for the first time on exactly that trail angel gig – picking up him and his sons in Fairbanks and delivering them to the Brooks Range along the Haul Road one summer day (after them checking in with the ranger).  We camped by the road that night and I hiked in the first day with them before returning to Kenai.

Although I’ve done it in an Outback, Camry, and Prius, I’d probably take the RAV4.  My June plans aren’t firm yet but I’ve got no conflict at this time.  If we did that, I could source bear spray (got lots around) and fuel or anything else that you can fly with.

[Bjorn W]

Hi, David Thomas—thanks for a helpful reply here, as I’ve seen from you before. I’ll send you a message.

[Author]

Posts