Day 12 - Fly Out via Arctic Village Back to Fairbanks
We fly right among the snow-capped peaks in the Brooks Range - so close we could almost touch them! - on our return from our memorable 12 days in the arctic wilderness.
12 Photographs
1
Our first leg takes us right over the Brooks Range...
2
...and since the weather’s so nice, we can fly the direct route over the highest peaks this time.
3
Yikes! That’s supposed to be OVER, not INTO those peaks!
4
Ace co-pilot Cherie: “Calm down, I’m just trying to give you the most scenic route!”
5
Helpless passengers Dale and Dexter: “That’s OK, it’s already plenty scenic enough!”
6
With some altitude under us again, we still have dramatic scenery.
7
The tangled ribbons of rivers are always a bizarre sight.
8
An hour and a half later we reach our first destination - Arctic Village - which has grown temporarily due to Gale Norton’s visit and the associated protests against drilling in the Refuge.
9
An easy approach lines us up with the runway...
10
...and as soon as we landed, the next flight to Fairbanks was waiting for us, so we’re in the air again in 15 minutes! The Yukon Flats enthrall us with its twisted waterways.
11
Whichever way you slice it, Alaska is covered with a lot of water!
12
Homeward bound... farewell Alaska!