FAQs
What should I expect?
Expect a once in a lifetime experience that will be a highlight of your adventures. This is an outdoor adventure in a beautiful and desolate wonderland like no other, it is not a walk on the beach. If you are comfortable backpacking, hiking, and playing in the snow, then this is an adventure for you.
How much will I interact with the sled dogs?
As much as you want. The dogs on your team are one of the highlights of the adventure. You run with them each day, you can help feed them, you can help them get bedded down for the night, and you build a relationship with each of them. The dogs love people and love as much attention as you have for them. Be prepared to form a bond with the dogs that will be hard to leave.
Will I see the Northern Lights?
This area is the best area to see the Northern Lights. It takes the right conditions (solar winds and weather) though. And, you need to stay up late – on past trips, our guests have stayed up in shifts… and seen the Northern Lights every night.
Where do I sleep?
You will stay in cabins along the trail. These are rustic cabins, a place to get out of the cold. They have wood stoves and a place to sleep. They do not have toilets, showers or internet. They do have outhouses though. AWA provides sleeping bags.
Will it be cold?
You will be north of the Arctic Circle, so it will be cold. However, you will be moving on the sled so with proper clothing you will not be miserably cold and may get too warm at times. Each night is spent in a cabin with a wood stove, so nights are comfortable assuming you add some wood to the fire as needed.
What should I bring?
You will be provided with thermal overalls, cold weather boots, mushing mittens, winter gloves and a cold weather hat. Bring:
- Two sets of good base layers, either silk under mid-level Merino wool or heavy Merino wool
- Sweater (wool), hoodie (fleece) or other non-cotton layers that you can easily carry and add if needed
- Fleece pants that can be layered or worn in the cabins
- Two sets of thin (silk or wool) socks under thick wool socks
- Two pairs of non-cotton underwear
- Thin gloves (liners), which fit loosely inside very warm winter gloves (AWA provides winter gloves, you can bring your own if you’d prefer)
- Your own cold weather headgear is not required, but you may prefer the fit and having your own face gaiter, mask or balaclava – a spare fleece beanie is a good idea
- Cold weather goggles or polarized sunglasses, if you prefer – if you wear a face gaiter/mask/balaclava, sunglasses will likely fog
- Basic toiletries (disposable toothbrushes are great)
- Optional: inReach (tracking your adventure, communicating with family, etc.)
Bring a dry bag or waterproof backpack to store it in. You’ll be able to leave extra gear/bags in Bettles – it’s nice to have a clean change of clothes after a warm shower on your return!
Electronics?
No cell service in Bettles, WiFi at the Bettles Lodge but nothing on the trail. No electricity on the trail, so any recharging will require your own battery pack. Turning on Airplane mode and turning your electronics off when not in use as a camera, etc. will help the batteries last longer. However, most batteries will shut down if they get too cold, so don’t be surprised if they randomly shut down. They will work again when they warm up. You might want to consider a case with a handle making it easier to control when wearing gloves, etc. If you drop your phone on the trail, you may not find it because of the very deep powder snow, which will swallow it up until spring.
Hand warmers?
AWA will provide you with chemical hand warmers or if you prefer you can bring your own. Pro Tip: Place new hand warmers inside the provided mushing mittens before you depart each day, so if your hands get cold the mittens will be ready to warm your hands.
What will we eat?
AWA provides a hot breakfast and dinner with lots of carbs and protein. A simple sandwich lunch and snacks will be packed on your sled and consumed on the trail each day. You are welcome to bring specific snacks if you’d like. Be sure to let AWA know if you have any food restrictions.
How physically fit do I need to be?
You do not need to be a Navy Seal to enjoy the trip, but reasonable fitness is needed. If you have reasonable balance (you can put your socks on without sitting down, hop on either leg, move your feet without looking at them and that sort of thing), moderate stamina (stand for hours each day) and moderate endurance (slow jog up two flights of stairs without touching the rails and repeat multiple times after a short breather) then you will be just fine, tired at the end of each day but fine. You also need to be comfortable with crashing into the snow, like skiing or snowboarding, things happen and gravity wins sometimes.
What should I expect in Bettles?
The AWA team will meet you at the plane and show you to your room. You will get fitted for your outerwear. You will meet the dogs, get introduced to your teams and take a test run – getting pulled behind a snowmachine on a dog sled. You will eat a warm meal and prep for the next day. You might even get a shot at the Northern Lights. When you return to Bettles after your adventure, you will welcome a warm shower.
How do I get to Bettles?
Wright Air Services flies to Bettles from Fairbanks daily, weather permitting. Reservations required. They offer senior and child discounts – ask when booking.http://akwildernessadventures.co/faq/
