Successful Alaska Trip

BigSurArcher

Very Active Member
Mar 3, 2011
513
2
N. CA
Hey Guys,

My Dad, my best friend and co-worker Ben, and I just returned from a great Western Arctic Caribou hunt. My dad has wanted to do this trip since I can remember, so last November I said "screw it" and booked with a unit 23 air taxi for 2014.

Instead of writing a big long novel, I'll just let some of the 600 photos I took tell the story and add in a few captions.

Hope you enjoy.

View from the Cessna 206 on the way into the bush.


Dropped. Everything we needed for 9 days was contained to one pack each. Since we were going so light, our pilot decided to drop us on a ridge instead of a river bottom. There would not be another hunter for many many miles.


Tent set up for night 1. Sierra Designs Mountain Guide Tarp.


A few views from camp on night 1...
 

BigSurArcher

Very Active Member
Mar 3, 2011
513
2
N. CA




Water was a .5 mile hike down the hill. We had storage for roughly 22L, so this wasn't a problem.


Lots and Lots of glassing ensued over the next days.
 

BigSurArcher

Very Active Member
Mar 3, 2011
513
2
N. CA
The newest version Swaro 15x56 are simply incredible.


Good solar energy is a must. The Sat phone battery was terrible and it wouldn't work unless hooked up to the Adventurer.


Found a frozen water hole a bit closer to camp on day 4. Had to chip it out each day with a trekking pole.


Wildlife in these parts were not afraid of us whatsoever. We walked 15 feet behind this guy for a while and he didn't care at all.
 

BigSurArcher

Very Active Member
Mar 3, 2011
513
2
N. CA
Mature bulls were very few and very far between to start out, so on day 5 we each whacked a small one close to camp just to get something down.

Mine


Bens


My Dads


Ben preparing some Citric Acid for the meat. (Thanks to Caribou Gear)
 

BigSurArcher

Very Active Member
Mar 3, 2011
513
2
N. CA
Day 6 was a good one...


We spotted 3 bulls a couple miles away in the granite. We planned a stalk, and caught up to them 4 miles out a couple hours later. They were up high out of the tundra, making it much easier to close the distance. We killed all 3 at ranges starting at 357 yards.

My Bull


My Dad's bull


Ben's Bull
 

BigSurArcher

Very Active Member
Mar 3, 2011
513
2
N. CA
That night and the next day consisted of three 8-mile round trips of packing meat, capes, and antlers.

Back at the kill site, mentally preparing for the last load.




Dad's load was a bit back-heavy...
 

BigSurArcher

Very Active Member
Mar 3, 2011
513
2
N. CA
Skyline shots.




Resting on the trekking poles before the final climb after ~23 miles worth of back-to-back trips.
 

BigSurArcher

Very Active Member
Mar 3, 2011
513
2
N. CA
Drying out clothes the next day.


Weatherby Mark V Ultralight Long Range in .270 WBY Mag. Shoots .32MOA with factory loads.


Final evening at about 10:30pm after filling up on backstrap over the fire.


Pickup time.
 

BigSurArcher

Very Active Member
Mar 3, 2011
513
2
N. CA
Quick clothing list in case anyone's curious. Temps ranged from ~22-50F, with the average daytime hovering in the 37-42 range before windchill.

Baselayers:
Merino 145 SS Crew
NuYarn Merino 145 Zip
NuYarn 210 Zip
NuYarn 145 Zip Bottoms

Insulation/Midlayer:
Super Down Hooded Jacket
Guide DCS Vest (Luxury Item)

Outerwear:
Chinook Pant
Yukon Jacket
Chugach NX Pant

Accessories:
Northstar Glove
Guide Beanie
NuYarn Beanie+Neck Gaiter
Yukon Gaiters (must-have)
 

dustin ray

Veteran member
Oct 23, 2011
1,256
1,049
Alta Loma CA
Todd its cool to see you getting out there on such a cool adventure with your dad making memories that last a life time.
a trip like that is on my list. congrats
 

AKaviator

Veteran member
Jul 26, 2012
1,819
1,084
Congratulations, way to get it done! You worked hard and earned those trophies for sure! I'm glad it all worked out great for you.
The photos are fantastic!!
 

Cobbhunts

Veteran member
Jan 22, 2014
1,060
1
Kentucky
Congrats on a great adventure. Your documentation through pictures and words have def bumped that trip up my bucket list. Thanks for sharing.