Salton Sea to Arctic Ocean

[glass eye]

Upon arrival at the “Sag” River we found it swollen and swift. A transporter offered to take us up about 45 miles up the Sag to the Ivishak and the Echooka river for $500. Sounded like a great deal to me. Like a bed of roses.

 

[glass eye]

Shortly after setting up camp I heard a ptarmigan behind camp and flushed it up. It attempted to fly across the river but I dumped him in the middle. Scoter’s first ptarmigan was a water retrieve.

 

[seeth07]

I'm SO jealous!

 

[glass eye]

On day one I saw a small herd of caribou way too far away to make a play on, besides, there were two hunters across the river making a move on them.
Day two; Scoter had a blast chasing ptarmigan and geese.
Saw a cow moose far away but zero caribou.

 

[glass eye]

Still no more caribou but plenty of birds and blueberries.
At this point I was feeling like Kevin Costner’s character in Dances With Wolves. “ Where are the Buffalo ?

 

[seeth07]

Your wife should be a model! Either that or you are just a dang good photographer!

 

[glass eye]

Found a pair of sheds about a yard apart from each other.
All the geese that I have ever shot have pooped green or brown but never purple.

 

[glass eye]

A week on the tundra and finally clear skies to wait for dark and watch the Aurora Borealis show.
The sunset takes forever, it’s like the sun stands still. Sunset was at 9:32 but the orange glow and brightness lasted past midnight.

 

[glass eye]

There were lots of camps along the river, about a mile or less apart and shots were few and nobody was shooting near us. Figured we would float out and try the archery corridor.

 

[glass eye]

Talking to other bow hunters it appears that the bulk of the caribou were in the Brooks Range rather than on the tundra. With dismal reports we decided to move on to a different adventure. As we were ascending the Brooks Range and about to begin Atigun Pass , Francisca spotted a small caribou bull.
I chased that bull in my crocs with bow in hand but could never get in front of him. Closest I got was 87 yards and he was moving. No shot opportunity but it was fun trying.

 

[glass eye]

I bought this North Face “Brooks Range” parka when I was 14 years old. I wore size “s” shirts but I bought this Large knowing that I would grow into it.
That’s the Brooks Range behind me.
Long train coming…..47 years later.

 

[glass eye]

Going over Atigun Pass, and after living on freeze- dried foods, Francisca looks at the snow covered hills and says “ Mmm….. Oreo Cookie Shake “

 

[BirdManMike]

Incredible stuff. Thanks for taking us along.

 

[MT_elk]

Trip of a lifetime! Awesome pics and great story.
How was the ptarmigan for eating?

 

[Salmonchaser]

You’re doing it right. Well done.

 

[nastynate]

This is a great thread! Awesome adventure!

 

[Irrelevant]

hot damn, great thread, my favorite of the year so far!

 

[glass eye]

Your wife should be a model! Either that or you are just a dang good photographer!

Not bad looking for 61

 

[glass eye]

Trip of a lifetime! Awesome pics and great story.
How was the ptarmigan for eating?

Taste great

 

[antlerradar]

Awesome trip, great pictures Thanks for letting us ride along
And the best part of the trip is still ahead. Eastern Montana