This is the bigger-mileage version of the trip, with 5–10 miles (8–16 km) a day across scree, high passes, river crossings, rough terrain, and thick brush. It's meant for experienced backpackers with at least seven trips of five nights or longer in the past 10 years. We'll fly deep into the Brooks Range and spend seven days covering serious ground off trail through the Oolah Valley, high above the Arctic Circle. Expect long days under the midnight sun, wildlife along the way, and a crew that's comfortable with backcountry logistics.
Welcome to Fairbanks, the “Golden Heart City,” set between the Alaska Range to the south and the winding Chena River at its center. After checking into our shared lodging, we’ll gather at 4:30 pm to get to know each other, talk through the adventure ahead, and share our goals for the trip. We’ll also go through gear together so everyone’s ready to head north in the morning. Pack up, rest up, and prepare for an adventure!
Accommodation: Shared Airbnb or hotel
In the morning, we’ll share a hearty breakfast before shuttling to the airport for the first of two flights into the Arctic. Our first charter takes us to either Bettles or Coldfoot, two small northern towns. From there, we’ll either hop onto a float plane for a super scenic flight into the wilderness or take a 2-hour shuttle up the Dalton Highway. Either way, we’ll be deep in the wilderness by evening, ready to make camp and settle into our new surroundings.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Camp
Day 3 will be our first real hiking day. Our routes in the Alaskan wilderness are part art, part science—we have an idea where we want to go, but there’s room to explore along the way. Over the next five days, we’ll wander high alpine meadows, climb small peaks, and spot caribou and bears (from a safe distance). Evenings bring the alpenglow of the far north lingering over endless mountains, laughter around camp, and well-earned meals.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 5-10 miles (8-16 km) per day
Accommodation: Camp
We’ll wake to our final morning in the backcountry, savoring the memories and that deep sense of connection to a world that moves a little slower. By now, a restaurant meal and a hot shower will sound pretty good too. The float plane or charter picks us up early and takes us back to Fairbanks, where we’ll gather at one of the town’s iconic restaurants for a final celebratory dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Any expedition in Alaska requires flexibility, patience, and a big sense of adventure.
We always try our best to follow our itineraries as written, but we rarely do. That’s part of the fun of it! Alaska weather is always changing and shifting and we will always respectfully honor what the weather allows or doesn’t allow us to do. We get the incredible luxury of flying into these beautiful places, but with flying also comes a need to defer to the conditions. Sometimes flights may be delayed for a day or more as we wait for an appropriate weather window. Trip itineraries may also shift due to group skill, pilot availability, or any number of unforeseen circumstances. Please come with an open mind, a spirit of enthusiastic adventure, and a willingness to see where the trip takes you. We do not offer refunds or cover incurred costs when trips have to be rerouted or itineraries changed due to weather or other circumstances out of our control.
Included:
Not included:
Both itineraries follow the same 8-day route through the Oolah Valley, with the same flights, camps, and logistics. What differs is how much ground you cover each day and how much backpacking experience you bring:
Backpacking in Alaska can be hard, but two things make it easier: having a light pack and being in good shape when you arrive. Get both right and your trip will be a lot more enjoyable.
Both departures follow the same route, mostly off trail, across scree slopes, mountain passes, tundra, and river crossings. There’s time on this trip to rest, read, and make art, but be prepared for some challenging days, especially as you climb over high passes up to 3,000 ft (915 m). The difference comes down to daily mileage, terrain, and experience:
To get in shape, we recommend regular hiking for 1-2 months before the trip starts. Start with a light pack and slowly build up until you’re hiking with around 20-30 pounds (9-13.5 kg). Plan to do one hike like this per week. That being said, everyone has their own way to get in shape, so do what works for you. Anything that builds endurance and tendon/ligament flexibility will help (think running, biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, rowing).
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Here’s a list of the clothing you need to bring:
Extra optional items that you might find handy:
Note that weather will likely vary week to week, and it’s best to be prepared for the full range of potential weather. Certain items are really worth getting right: hiking boots, rain gear, sleeping bag. For other items, use what you have, or what you can borrow, and always avoid cotton.
Keep in mind that there are essentially no opportunities to purchase gear once you arrive to begin the expedition. If needed, some of this gear can be rented for an additional fee.
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Choosing the right equipment for an outdoor trip is crucial to your safety and happiness. Alaska is notorious for its variable weather, and your equipment must keep you warm, dry, comfortable, and healthy in challenging conditions.
Keep your packs light!
When your pack has everything you plan to bring with you, it should weigh no more than 15% of your body weight. Make sure your backpack has a sturdy hip belt and should fit everything you’re planning on bringing with room (at least 15L) for group gear and food.
If you plan to bring something not on the gear list, please ask us to make sure it makes sense. Once we start an expedition, we have to carry everything with us until the end. Items like extra clothes, lots of toiletries, big knives, and bulky flashlights are unnecessary weight. You may have to make some hard decisions about which optional items to bring – your pack will be enormous if you bring them all. Avoiding bringing duplicates of any items (e.g. t-shirts) will reduce weight.
Select a boot with a sturdy, preferably Vibram sole, and solid construction
You will travel off-trail most of the time, so high-top hiking boots are recommended. You will cross numerous rivers in your hiking shoes (and get them wet), so a non-Gore-Tex model can be preferable—they’ll dry quicker.
Make sure your shoes are comfortable and broken-in before you arrive. Setting off on this trip in boots that you’ve just removed from the box is a recipe for blisters. Invest time in breaking in your boots before the expedition.
Group sizes and pricing
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Fairbanks, most people fly in from other major U.S. cities. Fairbanks International Airport offers daily connections to Seattle, Chicago, Minneapolis, and other mainland U.S. cities.
Fairbanks is also connected to Anchorage via the George Parks Highway (a 6-hour drive), which runs from Fairbanks itself to the town of Gateway, just north of Anchorage.
Arrive to Fairbanks no later than 4 pm on Day 1. Book all homebound flights anytime on the final day. Book all homebound flights anytime after 11 pm on the final day.
You’ll meet your guide on Day 1 at 4:30 pm at your shared lodging in Fairbanks. You’ll get to know the group, talk through the adventure ahead, and do a complete gear check so you’re ready to head north in the morning. This is also a great time to ask any lingering questions.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.