Hiking the Wrangell’s Wild Magic – Base Camp
- 10 Days
- Accommodation: Camping
Most people experience Alaska from the comfort of a cruise ship, snapping photos of glaciers from afar and checking it off their bucket list. But my guess is you’re not like most people. If you're reading this, you're seeking something deeper.
Twice a year, you can set off on a 9-day adventure specifically crafted for true wilderness seekers. The Oolah Traverse is a journey through one of the last truly wild places on Earth—Gates of the Arctic National Park. From vast open tundra to low mountain passes and scrambly summits, this adventure takes you deep into the Brooks Range.
This isn’t just another hike—it's a rare opportunity to experience untouched wilderness and witness the raw beauty of the Arctic landscape.
Use the coupon ADVENTUREFIX at checkout, and get 10% off this trip.
Welcome to Fairbanks, the "Golden Heart City,” nestled between the mighty Alaska Range to the south and the picturesque Chena River flowing through the center.
Check into your hotel between 3 and 5 today. We’ll meet at 5:30 to get to know each other, talk about our upcoming adventure, share goals for the trip, go over gear, and share a great meal.
In the morning we’ll have a beautiful breakfast before shuttling back to the airport for our first of two flights into the Arctic. Depending on the year, we head either to Bettles or Coldfoot, two small arctic towns each with their own character and unique history. From there we’ll change to a float plane for a flight you’ll never forget.
If you’ve never flown in a bush plane you’re missing out on one of the greatest experiences in life, really. There’s nothing quite like seeing Alaska from the sky — breezing over tundra; spotting moose and grizzly; floating through massive glacial gorges with mile high walls of granite; watching the sun glint off rivers braided like lungs; seeing the tallest mountain in North America at eye level — It's a trip to remember.
We’ll spend the next six days wandering high alpine meadows, climbing small peaks, spotting caribou & bear (from a safe distance), watching the persistent alpenglow of the far-north dance across endless mountains, laughing around camp, eating delicious well-earned meals, and connecting in the deep way wilderness makes possible.
There are no trails in Alaska and few people set foot out here at all.
When you wake to the final morning in the backcountry relishing the memories, the deep sense of connection to a world that moves slower but also excited for your restaurant meal and hot shower. We’ll take some time this morning to soak in the quiet and reflect on how we want to return to the busier world — what we want to bring with us and what we’d rather leave behind.
The float plane will pick us up early this morning and we’ll bid farewell to the wild we’ve come to call home and back to Fairbanks where we’ll say our goodbyes.
Jona R.
I have travelled the entire world, every continent, with dozens of high-end guide services and this was hands down the best trip of my life. The place worked it’s way into my soul. And Jack was the best guide i’ve ever had! It was hard, but so so worth it.
Sammy T.
It’s impossible to explain how vast the place is. Every square mile would be it’s own national park if it were in the lower 48! I’m so grateful I got the chance to go here and so glad I chose IAG to go with.
Marian E.
Jack had me cracking up the entire time! Alaska is no joke. If you’re willing to put in the effort it’s absolutely worth it. And if you go you might as well laugh the entire time while you’re at it. I can’t recommend Indigo Alpine Guides or Gates of the Arctic highly enough.