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Sadlerochit Gorge

If I had only one photo to capture the essence of a two-week traverse of the Arctic National Wlidlife Refuge, it would be this one.

This is the Sadlerochit River after it has poured out of the Brooks Range, making its way through the coastal plain en route to the Arctic Ocean. This was the second of 3 rivers we would paddle as we made our way from the continental divide on the Marsh Fork of the Canning to the sea at Kaktovik.

The Refuge is a special place, and for me it's always represented the ultimate wilderness experience. Being able to do a source to sea trip under human power, without barely seeing a sign of another human being is incredible, and truly rare.

Unfortunately, much of this area has been slated for oil development by the Trump Administration, and that untrammeled experience may soon be lost forever.

2018 Alaska Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Human Powered Adventures Packraft Sony A9