[Dave123]

On March 20, 2007, I flew to Kotzebue Alaska to begin my ski/hike trek across much of Alaska. I skied from Kotzebue, which is on the northwest coast, up the Kobuk River to the town of Ambler. Then I skiied up the Ambler River, crossing the Schwatka Range in a grueling 21 days. I ditched my skiis and some winter gear on the upper Ambler river around May 2nd. Then I hiked the rest of the way across the Gates of the Arctic by way of, Nakmaktuak Pass, the Noatak River, Portage creek, the upper Alatna river, the Killik river, Easter Creek where I was very hungry and low on food, Agiak Creek, the John River to Anaktuvuk Pass and then over to the Norht fork of the Koyukuk river and over to Wiseman and arrived there in late June. I spent another month wandering around by the south fork of the Koyukuk. I lost 25 pounds, it was hard, but did I come to know a lot about myself and the wildnerss around me. Beautiful to persevere. I think much of my life had been building up to this trek, and now I'm hooked and want to do more long, hard ones. I wrote something called "Crossing the Gates of the Arctic" on Lulu.com if you want to learn more details, it was a long journey and makes for a long story.

The Pass between the Alatna River and the Killik River

Easter Creek

These photos are in order from the west coast heading east to the south fork of the Koyukuk River near the Dalton Highway. I hope people enjoy them. It makes me feel good to share them.

Under the Kotzebue bridge

the Baldwin Peninsual

Along the Hotham Inlet

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Chopping Ice

Kobuk Valley National Park

The Jade Mountains

Borrowed Skis

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Early Bear tracks

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Upper Ambler River

Nakmaktuak Pass

Wolves if you look closely

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The Noatak River

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My friend along the Anaktuvuk River

Holmes Pass

Camp along the Clear River

Looking toward the south fork of the Koyukuk

[summithound]

Wow Dave123. You are quite the explorer. I wish I had the time/determination to do what you did. I'll be sure to read your report when I get some spare time!

[Ancient Ambler]

Amazing, Dave123. Took a look over at lulu.com and figure I'll purchase a download copy of your book. Can't tell from lulu.com if the book has more of your photos, though. If it doesn't, can you post more here?

[Dave123]

Sure, I can get some more up soon.

[wamtngal]

Dave, great photos -- thanks for posting your TR! How much of the adventure did the dogs do?

[El Dooder]

You da man!

[bobbi]

you mentioned that you were very hungry and low on food, lost 25 pounds!! what food did you bring for your dogs? any weight loss for them? okay, give it up...........what were you smoking?

[Nisquaww]

Ridiculous. Wow.

[Nisquaww]

B to the ump

[Sabahsboy]

Magnificent, Dave123! I must read your account, too! Can't wait to see more photos. Those dogs...they are not real winter types....are they? Not like packinig with Great Pyrenees or a husky with deep undercoat. Did the dogs lure in wolves or bears? That could be pretty scary. I am sure you thoroughly enjoyed the canine company!

[Dave123]

Wolves don't seem to like dogs. A pack of nine came within forty yards of us and just watched the dogs going beserk, who I had on leashes luckily. Airedales can't handle as much cold as the arctic breeds but they are the best guard dogs in existence. Very tenacious and fast. They have no fear, so I have to keep them on a leash sometimes to keep them from getting into trouble. It's settling to have both of them in your tent at night in bear country, so this is the main reason I brought them; just to get a better night sleep.

[Dave123]

The dogs were with me the entire four months. They each only lost about five pounds. Their safety was my number one priority, and I had a sat phone. They always wanted to wrestle with each other.

[ActionBetty]

Im digging the Antler picture...Caribou or perhaps Elk?

[Mike Collins]

ActionBetty...The antlers (with skulls attached) are definitely caribou. I have also traversed the Brooks Range and came across dozens of caribou antlers. The only other antlers I encountered were moose. As you may know with caribou both the male and female have antlers. The males shed theirs shortly after the rutting season. Females retain theirs into the spring. It is thought to offer an advantage to the female allowing her to scrape away the snow from foraging areas, and then defend it from intruders. Caribou antlers have an additional plate called a "brow tine" that is thought to protect the eyes during sparring and threshing behavior in the willows. Other cervids do not have this protecting plate. The spatulate section of the antlers served the Inuit well as snow goggles were carved from them to protect from snow blindness.

[ActionBetty]

Very interesting Mike, thanks. I see the skulls are attached..makes me wonder if they were locked up in battle and died of starvation.