In case you haven’t seen enough tussocks, here’s a few more! We turn away from the Aichilik River and start winding up a valley along a tributary .

Today is a caribou-tiful day, with caribou appearing over every rise we come across. The migration of the Porcupine Caribou Herd (about 150,000 heads total) was late due to the high snow levels in the mountains to the south, so even with all the animals we’re seeing, this is fewer than normal. In addition, because of the delay, the females had their calves before finishing their migration, and then continued on - their instinct to migrate was so strong - and ended up abandoning their calves who couldn’t keep up. An estimated 5,000 calves were orphaned this way.

The caribou paparazzi have their cameras always ready.

Half a dozen caribou file across the ice to join the herd on the other side. There are about 30 in this photo, spread all along the river bed.

A couple of bold bucks stand their ground as we approach.

After a while, we become nonchalant to the animals all around us. The three on the hill in front of us scarcely get a second glance as we continue on our way.

Did I mention there were a few tussocks in this area...?! Because of the cold arctic climate, the dead grasses and plants don’t decompose, they just form a spongy matting that keeps piling higher and higher as the new plants grow on top of it. The grasses pile up this way to form the tussocks. Sigh!

A couple of bear prints as big as Cherie’s boot make us keep our eyes open for these impressive animals.

The rocky river bed offers at least some variety from the lumpy tussocks we’ve been walking on.

A wolf paw print is the most we ever see of these elusive creatures.

The only problem with following a river bed, is that it’s sometimes full of river!

Some people take the direct splash-across approach...

..but Dale is bound and determined to keep water from sloshing over her boots, so she picks her way across on the submerged rocks and... Oooyeee! Almost lost it there!

Cherie takes the prize for the first (and only!) catch of the trip. She even caught this little tyke bare handed! The poor critter was floundering in a tiny pool beside the river, and Cherie released it into the main flow with the admonition “Grow big, now!”

Whenever possible, we get above the water and the rocks to enjoy the flat (and dry!) footing on the ice.

Areas of the ice have an interesting structure, with finger-sized dry crystals that break apart easily.

For the first time, we encounter vegetation that grows above our heads! These willow bushes are prime bear and moose territory, judging by the frequency of their droppings on the ground.

These willow thickets wouldn’t be so bad if they weren’t filled with water!

Cherie shows her tip-toe creek -crossing form, while Perry marches along.

It takes both Karen and Heide to lift this moose antler!

The bears have made a mess of their feeding grounds! They peel up large divots of tundra to nibble on the roots underneath.

Cherie: “Who’se been chewing on my moose antlers?!” This rack must have been a tasty treat for small animals.

Dale “I lost count of how many times we’ve crossed this creek, but my socks are still dry..., I swear!”

A flat, dry spot at last! That means it’s time to set up camp. Margaret, Carol and Dale start cooking the dinner for the group. Mmmmm, the dinners were always delicious!

A quick run up the hill gives an overview of our camp..., and then it starts to rain, for the whole night!