This is an epic 18-day trek and paddle trip! Beginning with a 150- mile bush flight over southern flanks of Alaska's Brooks Range, we traverse the Brooks Range by foot and paddle boat, from south to north on this rugged adventure, while exploring four subranges (Philip Smith, Franklin, Shublik and Sadlerochit Mts.

The 8-day trek takes us to an extremely wild and remote corner of the Arctic Refuge, through the rugged, austere Romanzof and Philip Smith Mountains, up hidden valleys, and over a spectacular pass, into convoluted geology and ice-covered river valleys. Dall sheep are the denizens here, along with grizzlies, wolves, rough-legged hawks, golden eagles and the elusive Grey-headed Chickadee. If you like getting into the high country, and exploring and constant light, this is a trip to savor.

We switch into rubber boots and head down the Marsh Fork Canning River, along the western boundary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, on a wild, pristine watercourse, where we're more likely to see Dall sheep before we see another human.

The Marsh Fork Canning flows north, carving its way through intimate limestone canyons, and over small rocky rapids. Austere, and convoluted, the Philip Smith and Franklin Mountains of the Brooks Range rise from the river; uplifted ancient sea beds reveal fossilized coral. In this trailless landscape, we may walk in the footsteps of caribou, wolves or muskoxen across the tundra. We reach the confluence with the Canning River and continue north, skirting the Shublik and Sadlerochit Mountains, the Canning River Valley now wide and braided.

The river is a surreal emerald green, and so clear that we see arctic char and grayling swimming twelve feet down. For the birder, there are over 80 species of birds, including the elusive Grey-headed chickadee. Birds of prey find the Canning attractive for nesting; we're likely to see golden eagles, peregrine falcons, rough-legged hawks, and gyrf alcons. Four of the five arctic species of loons breed here. Caribou and muskoxen frequent the area, along with moose, wolves, and foxes. A protected microclimate has allowed a small grove of balsam poplar to flourish in the Canning Valley; nearby lies a year-round spring.

This is a hiker's paradise, as well as an exciting paddling river, with small rapids throughout the Marsh Fork. By concentrating on the upper half of the river, we have lots of time for hiking and exploring intimate side canyons and mountain ridges. Our schedule is flexible, since we have nearly 24 hours of daylight! There is time for photography, wildlife viewing, and wildflower identification, exploring valleys, or climbing mountains.