Bettles, AK

Bettles is located above the arctic circle and boasts a population of < 30 people. It is the departure point for both the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and the Kanuti Wilderness Area. It is basically surrounded by the Brooks Range mountains -- accessible only by small plane in summer and by plane or an ice road in winter. It is difficult to convey the considerable charm of this remote location. I had the unique opportunity of caring for 17 sled dogs (2 more arrived mid-tenure) for 2 weeks for a friend of my landlord.

On the day I flew I was lucky the plane first visited the native village of Anaktuvuk Pass which is well north of Bettles. The flight through the Brooks Range was incredible. There were only two of us on the way up and the guy with me commented that people would pay good money just to experience this flight.

One of the many river basins on the way.

River just before landing in Anaktuvuk Pass.

The village of Anaktuvuk Pass from the air.

Our plane (Wright's Air). You can see Savannah's kennel though the door if you look closely.

... from the runway.

The flight from Anaktuvuk to Bettles (it was a perfect day).

The airport in Bettles.

... and from the other end.

The Bettles Ranger Station (where my host works when in town).

The cabin was not dissimilar to mine in Goldstream Valley.

Chica Rica, one of his gorgeous lead dogs

This is Comatose -- whose name, by the way, is truly ironic.

They were ALL the sweetest dogs ever!!! Truly a pleasure to care for.

Mardil! If he looks dusty, it is because he spends most of his time digging. I would have to keep moving his house as it would fall into his holes.

Mahal is the largest of the dogs (and one of the loudest).

This is Shadow (or it is if he has the right name tag on his collar -- not all of them did).

There were many ravens that delighted in torturing the dogs (especially Mardil).

It was a nice walk to the Float Pond which, by the time I left, was completely thawed.

In the winter the Float Pond is where we spent the night to view the northern lights

(which were not in evidence on December 27, 2007, by the way)

Another view of the pond.

... and a flash back to winter of 2007.

The Koyukuk River was quite high during the time we were there.

Savannah cooling off in the river. I kept her on a long leash in the water as I didn't know whether she understood about "currents" -- even though she is a pretty smart dog.

Spring arrived during the two weeks I was there. Compare the two photos of the river.

Savannah appropriated the dog bed in the cabin.

L.C. slept in the cabin with us at night, but when she would emerge from her kennel Savannah would look at me soulfully as if to ask "Are you going to pay attention to HER now?" She is a sweetheart.

This is 2:30 am from the upstairs skylight a couple days before I left. I don't know if it is sunrise or sunset -- it never actually gets dark at this time of year.