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Tag: Laos

June 26, 2017 Brandon Chase

The Gibbon Experience in Laos – Worth It?

[disclosure] Note: Sadly, an American patron died while participating in the Gibbon Experience just a couple of weeks after our

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fitformiles

My summer is going pretty well, how's yours? Si

My summer is going pretty well, how's yours?

Since returning from Alaska at the beginning of the month I've spent every single day outside, mostly while guiding whitewater rafting trips, wildlife tours, and ice cave hikes with @northeast_whitewater.

Being back in Maine for an extended period has allowed me to discover new mountains, retrace steps on the Appalachian Trail, and, more importantly, share my passion for the outdoors with others which has been a real treat.

Looking forward to another two months of splashing through rapids and perfecting my moose-spotting skills! 🌲🛶🌊

Our final day in Alaska encompassed a return to Fa

Our final day in Alaska encompassed a return to Fairbanks and onward travel home. We had a final meal together at the hotel, returned gear we had borrowed, and repacked our bags for the journey (e.g. trekking poles, tent stakes, and knives in checked bags). ⠀
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Everyone departed with memories and stories of the previous week that will not soon be forgotten, and much of that is owed to @andrewskurka & @flyinbrianrobinson who crafted an unrivaled backcountry adventure from decades of experience and knowledge. It's a real privilege to work alongside these titans of backpacking and I look forward to the next one!⠀
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#backpacking #theoutdoorfolk #getoutside #instagood #takeahike #embracethebrutality #everytrailconnects #exploremore #thegreatoutdoors #wildernessculture #optoutside #choosemountains #thruhike #thetrek #livingthedream #lifeoutside #hiking #mountainrunning #ultralight #BrooksRange #gatesofthearctic #alaska

Our pickup point in the Brooks Range was Oolah Lak

Our pickup point in the Brooks Range was Oolah Lake, but because of unpredictable weather we were unsure at what time our plane would arrive. We got there early, grabbed our sleeping bags, and waited over six hours until we heard the familiar buzzing of propellers in the distance. It made no difference to us, as we faced another long wait in Bettles to be transferred back to Fairbanks - such is life in the backcountry.⠀
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Once in Bettles, we were greeted with the opportunity to shower in 8 days which was very much welcomed. We had one more dinner of #beansandrice before retiring to the nearby riverbed to set up our tents one last time.⠀
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#backpacking #theoutdoorfolk #getoutside #instagood #takeahike #embracethebrutality #everytrailconnects #exploremore #thegreatoutdoors #wildernessculture #optoutside #choosemountains #thruhike #thetrek #livingthedream #lifeoutside #hiking #mountainrunning #ultralight #BrooksRange #gatesofthearctic #alaska

On our second-to-last day in the Brooks Range, we

On our second-to-last day in the Brooks Range, we were delighted to have a short window of sunshine that allowed us to go up and over a pass we had been eyeing all day. @andrewskurka & @flyinbrianrobinson regaled us with a celebratory sun dance at the apex, but sadly I wasn't fast enough to capture a video! ⠀
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The back side of the pass was remarkably rocky and loose. We took our time on the descent to avoid any injuries, as extractions from this area are extremely difficult and time consuming to do. ⠀
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Once down, the clouds reconvened and that was the last we would see of the sun until returning to the mainland.⠀
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#backpacking #theoutdoorfolk #getoutside #instagood #takeahike #embracethebrutality #everytrailconnects #exploremore #thegreatoutdoors #wildernessculture #optoutside #choosemountains #thruhike #thetrek #livingthedream #lifeoutside #hiking #mountainrunning #ultralight #BrooksRange #gatesofthearctic #alaska

After the first few days, our luck with weather ra

After the first few days, our luck with weather ran out and we experienced cool, windy, and overcast conditions with small bouts of rain for the remainder of the trip. Though it put a damper on our routing options, the group remained resilient and continued to put in high-effort days.⠀
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We managed to make it up and over Oolah Pass and the Continental Divide, between Kuyuktuvuk Creek and headwaters of the Itkullik River, which demarcates the northern and southern parts of the Park. The northern areas are distinctively more arid and cooler due to higher elevations which made for a wonderful contrast to the bogs of the south. ⠀
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We made our way along the remaining iced-over portions of several riverbeds and sought shelter among the willow-covered gravel braids at night while nursing the sore feet and hot spots of group members - an inevitable result of the terrain.⠀
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#backpacking #theoutdoorfolk #getoutside #instagood #takeahike #embracethebrutality #everytrailconnects #exploremore #thegreatoutdoors #wildernessculture #optoutside #choosemountains #thruhike #thetrek #livingthedream #lifeoutside #hiking #mountainrunning #ultralight #BrooksRange #gatesofthearctic #alaska

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