I’ve been trying for three years to pull this off, but somehow, something always comes up that shelves the plan. Now, barring some unforeseen catastrophe, I’ve got everything lined up for this expedition.
I’ve got a lot of solo time logged already, but I’m getting older and every tick of the clock means that I’m closer to all my old injuries preventing me from checking this goal off my “to do” list.
Originally, I was going to do this trip in a new area around and into the Kuskokwim, but after a lot of thought and deliberation on the logistics and never having floated that river before, I’m electing to do this job on a river I have a ton of experience on. Ultimately, it’s more important for me to successfully (and safely) complete this task than explore a new drainage I’ve never been to.
So, in case there is anyone interested, this is what it takes for me to do this, where I’m going and how much time I’m allocating and what I’m taking.
Game targeted: moose, black bear, wolf, wolverine
Where: Unit 24, Alatna River, Brooks Range Alaska. Will insert by floatplane into Iniakuk Lake if there is enough water in the creek draining from it south to the Malamute River, then west to the Alatna. Extract from the trapper cabin on the river (if the river allows or continue to Alakaket where the Alatna meets the Koyukuk). Total river miles ~40 if picked up at the cabin ~110 if forced to Alakaket.
When: September 1-18, 2026
How to get there: driving through the lesser 48 and Alberta, picking up the Al-Can to Alaska, overnight and purchase fresh food for the trip in Fairbanks, get on the Haul road to the prospect creek pump station air strip, transfer to Bettles to float pond (if the water is good, if not, fly in on the wheeled bird to land on a predetermined good gravel beach)
What I’m taking:
1) weapons/optics;
-Winchester Model 70 .338 WM, Barnes 225gr. TSX-FB
-S&W Model 69 Combat Magnum, Federal 240gr. Hydra-Shok
-Remington 870, Federal Freight Trains (camp gun)
-Zeiss Conquest 10X42
2) boat; Saturn 16’ Ka-boat w/Tohatsu 9.8 OB, PFD.
View attachment 709541
3) tents; Cabelas Alaska guide model and MSR Hubba-Hubba
4) food; homemade freeze dried meals (2/day for 21 days) fruit (mostly halos, I crave citrus hard in the bush, don’t know why), coffee, hard candy
5) camp gear; MSR Whisper-lite multi fuel stove (use gasoline), MSR water filter and dromadary bags, frying pan, boiling pot and coffee percolator, 2 propane bottles w/torch, headlamp, Coleman multi-fuel lantern (use gasoline), 3 blue tarps w/silver backside, 50#’s/salt, citric acid, 1#/black pepper, sat-phone, laminated maps and compas, dish soap, 2 first aid/trauma kits, hygiene kit, sleeping bag (Cabelas), wool blanket, river bags, contractor bags, game bags and a fishing pole and tackle.
6) clothes; 8 pair ea/liners and synthetic/wool blend socks, 3 pairs/UA base layer underwear, 3 pairs trousers, 4 fleece shirts, 1 wool sweater, 1 hunting jacket, HH Gale rain suit, Grundens PVC rain suit, 2 pairs of glove liners, 1pair Black Diamond mittens, 1 synthetic/wool blend longshoremen’s watch cap, Filson tin cloth waxed cap, waders and wading shoes (waders are pretty much what I hunt in every day), Danner Uplanders for camp.
Moose season opens in a week. I know there are a lot of hunters that dream of doing a big hunt like this, so I thought it was appropriate to show my cards now for my trip next year. Hunts like this take a lot of prior planning and can be a logistical nightmare. The list is my bare minimum in my experience. Hope any readers wanting to do something similar get something out of this post.
