tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.comments2024-02-21T09:54:08.306-09:00The Roaming DialsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-62157873178002833072023-08-31T00:02:33.635-08:002023-08-31T00:02:33.635-08:00Hey Eric, so cool you made the Brooks Range crossi...Hey Eric, so cool you made the Brooks Range crossing! Roman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-84729270802590684742023-07-31T14:19:51.560-08:002023-07-31T14:19:51.560-08:00Thanks and glad the posts are appreciated. I'd...Thanks and glad the posts are appreciated. I'd say that the Arrigetch is a good first time visit. The trail in is relatively easy to follow and the conditions give you a taste of what the more remote sections are like without the commitment. Roman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-36903441270439182762023-07-29T20:59:38.305-08:002023-07-29T20:59:38.305-08:00Hi Roman,
Appreciate all your posts. Quick questi...Hi Roman,<br /><br />Appreciate all your posts. Quick question for you. I have a group that’s planning a trip to Gates of the Arctic for the first time. Could you provide your recommendation of which location would provide a better experience for a first-time visit to the park? Right now the options we’re looking at are (I) the Arrigetch Valley area, and (II) the Weyahok Valley area (from the Noatak up to around Gaedeke Lake). <br /><br />Any insight you have on these areas would be appreciated! Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-35095058809486395102023-05-23T21:20:09.949-08:002023-05-23T21:20:09.949-08:00Thanks Eric. Feel free to gmail me at raftpacker.Thanks Eric. Feel free to gmail me at raftpacker.Roman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-90285817004667402012023-05-23T20:30:23.287-08:002023-05-23T20:30:23.287-08:00This is a fantastic trip report Roman! I saw the P...This is a fantastic trip report Roman! I saw the PDF report from Ryan Jordan as well. Following the map lines, dispatches, and pictures I can almost feel myself walking the open ridges!<br /><br />Would you be open to a few granular questions about the journey? I'm contemplating incorporating a stretch of the route into my own trip in the Brooks. Andrew reviewed my route and suggested I might enjoy this in place of my packrafting plan.Eric Volkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08989057061688638846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-34307439763028334192023-03-01T11:45:49.061-09:002023-03-01T11:45:49.061-09:00Thank you Ann
Please continue even many years lat...Thank you Ann <br />Please continue even many years later<br />From far outside Alaska we are inspiredAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-6961489853129742502022-05-28T17:20:28.959-08:002022-05-28T17:20:28.959-08:00Hey Hunter,
Answer to Q1 is yes, people have use...Hey Hunter, <br /><br />Answer to Q1 is yes, people have used them from simply folding and stuffing under a rain jacket then securing waist with a strap to cutting and heat welding with a neck hole. BOTH methods are very much NOT recommended but better than nothing. I for one ALWAYS bring a Kokatat Orbit PFD (https://www.ebay.com/itm/275082176851?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&var=575407156508) and use it as part of my sleep system and even packing system. I cut the bar tacks on the shoulder straps so that it's easier to split the PFD in two. Then I use one half as pillow and other half for feet with a shorty pad. Sort of inverse of the #NOTsafeWAY old school of shoving Thermarest under a rain jacket. I use it on my pack to secure the paddles as a way to hold my raft with big loads, too.<br /><br />Q2, Many of us have worn my dry suit as rain gear and bushwhacked. Can get hot in southcentral Alaska but it's cooler up north, especially in August when rain is downright cold. The neck gasket can get uncomfortable; maybe trim it? Stay out of the rose hips (at least there are no devils club). Put socks over the booties to keep from wearing a hole in them. <br /><br />Q3, unfamiliar with Bearikade Expedition, but I do like to have barrels for my food in bear country.Roman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-15222191048870657142022-05-28T15:01:42.621-08:002022-05-28T15:01:42.621-08:00Hi Roman,
Love all this beta. Thanks! I'm lo...Hi Roman, <br /><br />Love all this beta. Thanks! I'm looking at a hybrid/modified AAA route later in June this year. Just a few questions: <br /><br />1. Have you ever seen/heard of someone making a PFD out of an inflatable sleeping pad? I'm convinced there is a way to do it that would be OK for Class 1-2 water. I believe you can cut a circle+slit for your head to slip through then fold it over your shoulders and secure it with a strap. I understand the risks. Curious what you think. <br /><br />2. I'm considering taking just a Kokatat Dry Suit but NO rain gear. My logic is that I can hike in the dry suit+removable rain hood if truly needed. The alternative is just to use the rain gear with the WW deck on my Alpacka Refuge. I'm leaning towards the 32oz dry suit. <br /><br />3. Also, would you use a bear canister in the Brooks if you were going solo in late June? Thinking back to my trip last year at that time I can't think of many (or any) good places to secure an Ursack and I'm less comfortable with the idea of sleeping with my food in grizzly country. We went with a group in 2021 so it was less of a concern as we tied them all together and put it in the middle of our camp. I'm almost inclined to use a Bearikade Expedition just so I don't have to worry about it. Thoughts? <br /><br />THANKS AGAIN1 Hunter G. Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08461696847258331634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-25241443474251403892022-04-20T16:49:22.761-08:002022-04-20T16:49:22.761-08:00Hi Hunter,
June may be the best time, between sno...Hi Hunter,<br /><br />June may be the best time, between snow of May and bugs of JulyRoman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-39992296216158306072022-04-20T13:30:38.457-08:002022-04-20T13:30:38.457-08:00Awesome trip report Roman, thank you! I'm work...Awesome trip report Roman, thank you! I'm working on putting together a solo packrafting route in The Brooks and I'll use this beta for sure. Question: Would you not suggest this route in Mid/Late June? Hunter G. Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08461696847258331634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-79359940452821835562022-04-02T08:23:21.311-08:002022-04-02T08:23:21.311-08:00Depends on how much whitewater and what time of ye...Depends on how much whitewater and what time of year. If not much WW just WW deck and rain gear.Roman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-23124755532863836462022-03-29T14:29:27.362-08:002022-03-29T14:29:27.362-08:00Very useful. Thanks R!Very useful. Thanks R!Hunter G. Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08461696847258331634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-49914410984027237092022-01-11T11:45:01.614-09:002022-01-11T11:45:01.614-09:00Jamie, I climbed this back in 1986 (!), solo. I re...Jamie, I climbed this back in 1986 (!), solo. I recall that it looked like it wouldn't be easy to protect on lead, but I'm sure you could find anchors for top-roping a second who follows. It took me 45 minutes to get to the top from the saddle via the south ridge. I was no Alex H or Mark L! In my memory it remains an airy, exposed scramble, usualy with both hands and feet on the rock I think. I don't want to sandbag you, tho!Roman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-47278056295235821042021-12-25T06:16:14.660-09:002021-12-25T06:16:14.660-09:00Hello Roman:
Great trip report. Sounds like an am...Hello Roman:<br /><br />Great trip report. Sounds like an amazing experience.<br /><br />My friend and his girlfriend and I are planning on paddling the North Fork of the Koyukuk. We were looking to climb Mount Doonerak and looking for some beta. I have climbing experience and was planning on bringing a light rack to make her feel comfortable. How difficult is the scramble? Any information you could provide would be useful and very much appreciated. <br /><br />Jamie<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00056127008620416699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-64824772592974921092021-09-10T12:13:04.830-08:002021-09-10T12:13:04.830-08:00Thanks for posting the route, valuable info as alw...Thanks for posting the route, valuable info as always. I purchased a print copy of the magazine you linked and read your article - it was a good read. Thanks again,<br /><br />DevinDevin Valencianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-50023885732352748712021-09-05T22:07:21.536-08:002021-09-05T22:07:21.536-08:00Treeline Traverse: http://packrafting.blogspot.com...Treeline Traverse: http://packrafting.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-treeline-traverse.htmlRoman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-15488529267328580522021-09-02T17:20:32.683-08:002021-09-02T17:20:32.683-08:00Hi Devin,
Well, I have repeated the route, yes, o...Hi Devin,<br /><br />Well, I have repeated the route, yes, or at least the portion over Talus Top, Skinny Bou and Mystery Spot. I have also heard from someone who wrote me recently that "Independence Pass was fun," which I took as tongue-in-cheek. My feeling is that the Deception Pass is fairly stable on bedrock, rather than on talus with a heart of permafrost or even worse, degrading moraine. So it's likely doable in good weather with clear visibility.<br /><br />The impetus for the change of heart is several-fold: first, I have received complaints that people following my routes are getting in trouble in the Gates of the Arctic Park--see for instance "No Place for Novices" in the print magazine Adventure Journal 21 (https://shop.adventure-journal.com/shop/adventure-journal-issue-21/); second, I have found that water levels are too variable across time, bushwhacking and route-finding skills too variable across people, and the NW Alaskan Arctic so rapidly changing that my advice can be troublesome and misinterpreted; finally, the Treeline Traverse is neat, and it has no river packrafting so I will likely not catch flack for it getting people into trouble. The traverse is still very much "No place for novices" as it has some stream crossings that are serious on foot (but with plenty of room to cross in a packraft if you are carrying one en route to the Noatak). I will post a map and description shortly.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I have not seen Luc's route first-hand. But I have discovered that, FOR ME at least, neither high resolution imagery (i.e., 1m pixels) nor topo maps are a good substitute for on-the-ground route finding. So I cannot speak to his route. I do recall him being rather cagey when I asked him about his experience there.Roman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-53617878181437668112021-09-02T15:04:36.646-08:002021-09-02T15:04:36.646-08:00Hi Roman,
Thanks for the years of inspiration. ...Hi Roman, <br /><br />Thanks for the years of inspiration. Was studying up for a Brooks traverse, when I noticed your new comment here, on your 12-years-published route! This was the route that first brought me to the Gates, and in the back of my head, has been the 'end-goal' for a long time.<br /><br />I'm so curious about 100 things, but if you had a second to respond:<br />- Are each of the main passes of your original route (Independence, Deception, Talus Top, Skinny Bou, Mystery Spot) equally dangerous here? Or are there specific passes in the route that have become especially dangerous?<br />- What is the impetus for this change-of-heart? Did you re-run the route, or hear from a group that's run it recently? Your judgment is gold obviously, but I'm curious what new info came your way.<br /><br /><br />I tried to map out your Treeline Traverse (https://caltopo.com/m/HPUCF), alongside the original Arctic Circle traverse, and the route that Luc Mehl took on his traverse. If you had a second to take a look, two questions:<br />- Does my Treeline Traverse route look correct? I had trouble identifying the five passes you mention.<br />- Do you think the two passes Luc did are a safer alternative to the original Arctic Circle route? Or would you have the same concerns there?<br /><br />I'm primarily a hiker, who uses a packraft when needed (so, I guess I'm a raftpacker as well). Low water at the Noatak headwaters is less important to me than the safety of the hiking portions. Trying to piece together the best route moving forward, in a rapidly-heating Arctic.<br /><br />Thanks again,<br /><br />DevinDevin Valencianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-50515480240269679472021-08-27T11:49:36.423-08:002021-08-27T11:49:36.423-08:00This route is not as great as it sounds. There'...This route is not as great as it sounds. There's no real whitewater unless heavy rains swell the upper Noatak above Lucky Six Creek and also make the Alatna spicy. Furthermore, the steep talus between the Arrigetch and the Noatak is dangerous, as the angle of repose of the giant boulders is at very critical point with climate warming melting the ice that keeps those steep coffin sized boulders at such a steep angle. <br /><br />More fun and doable and safe is the three day loop up and over Ariel then down the Awlinyak and back to the Alatna Bar strip used by Coyote Air. Check out http://packrafting.blogspot.com/2014/03/arrigetch-creeking-25-years-of.html to piece together the Ariel-Awlinyak Arrigetch Loop.<br /><br />And if you do want to hike from the Arrigetch to the Noatak the best way follows a series of five passes for 35 miles to the mouth of Lucky Six Creek that begins at the pass above the 2000 foot contour along Arrigetch Creek and ens with the unnamed pass leading into Lucky Six just south of Gull Pass. I'd call that route the "Treeline Traverse" if you need a name.Roman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-88547148323382952362021-08-09T21:27:30.164-08:002021-08-09T21:27:30.164-08:00Hello Roman,
Thanks for the incredible beta. COVI...Hello Roman,<br /><br />Thanks for the incredible beta. COVID prevented us from running the trip last year, but we just finished an amazing week in the Gates.<br /><br />I espied your signature in the Summit Lake cabin, from your epic Arctic 1000 run in ‘06 - was a highlight for me, even among the world-class wilderness.<br /><br />We took a fun route, would love to be able to share with you.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />Devin<br /><br />Devin Valencianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-70890282300570937812021-08-05T05:44:20.171-08:002021-08-05T05:44:20.171-08:00probably the best advice i've read for decidin...probably the best advice i've read for deciding which packraft to buy, thanks so much!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-4004593842729800792021-06-28T08:58:15.804-08:002021-06-28T08:58:15.804-08:00What time of year was your Ambler2Kiana float? Ho...What time of year was your Ambler2Kiana float? How many hours/days did it take? We put in late August of this year.Brehmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12051769524655615319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-15639892825742585862021-05-17T12:13:37.905-08:002021-05-17T12:13:37.905-08:00Here is where you fly in
62.370811 148.867760Here is where you fly in<br /><br /> 62.370811 148.867760Roman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-8039407239071626462021-01-29T15:37:19.522-09:002021-01-29T15:37:19.522-09:00Thanks for letting me know: try this
https://drive...Thanks for letting me know: try this<br />https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rAi4LeZSsxPQ9go_hNL_Aeb_aUfDpICB/view?usp=sharingRoman Dialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030457377194232207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095331523579939357.post-79866707997509334632021-01-29T13:18:41.154-09:002021-01-29T13:18:41.154-09:00Hi Roman, not sure if the problem is just on my en...Hi Roman, not sure if the problem is just on my end but nothing loads besides your initial paragraph, on both computer and mobile.Jack https://www.blogger.com/profile/17094021247440455116noreply@blogger.com