In the footsteps of the Muries

Driving 300 miles north from Fairbanks brought us to Atigun pass where the trans-Alaska oil pipeline passes over onto the North Slope of Alaska. The scenery is stunning.

I'm here traveling with renowned biologist George Schaller, Jon - an accomplished mountaineer, wilderness explorer and writer; Forrest - a climbing guide and U. of Wyoming student; and Betsy, a fellow student at UAF. Together we are going to head into the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in a few days to travel into places George last visited in 1956 with the Muries. National Geographic is funding the expedition to help raise awareness of climate change in the region.






























We hiked into Atigun gorge from the road, which is on the edge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, finding sheep, fossils, and incredible scenery. It was great to stretch the legs and get into to some impressive country. We head to Deadhorse tomorrow and then fly on the 1st of July into the heart of the Refuge.