A couple in Haines, Alaska is planning a Noatak River trip (NW Alaska). We are chartering with Coyote Air out of Coldfoot on July 25. We want to land on the upper River in Gates of the Arctic National Park. Last summer the pilot was landing at Tupik Creek (marked on Google Earth).
Given we are allowed 1200 pounds on the de Havilland Beaver, another party would be able to fit on the charter flight in. We are not seeking company on the subsequent downriver trip to Kotzebue. Only another tandem or solo paddler who’d want to split the charter cost (US$2050).
One could take out at Noatak Village (where there is scheduled air service) or get a charter pick up (from Bettles) if you did not want or have the time to paddle to Kotzebue. The Park requires a back country orientation prior to the trip and bear proof containers for all food. These can be borrowed from the Park Service in Fairbanks. We will have a PakBoat. There is scheduled service to Anchorage from Kotzebue.