The alarm went off uncomfortably early, as this morning we had booked an Arctic Ocean Shuttle bus tour. After our buffet breakfast we headed to Deadhorse Camp to meet the shuttle bus. Lior, Dana and Andrew joined us on the trip. As we were driving past the sprawled out pre-fab buildings, the driver slowed and we saw a large grizzly with two young Cubs out on the tundra by the airport. What do they eat up here!? Then 200m down the road, Mack was still in his tent by a small lake. So glad we stayed in the hotel! Unfortunately the fog was pretty thick this morning, so we might not get to see as much of the ocean as we would like. But along the fairly short drive to Prudhoe Bay we saw plenty of wildlife. Snow geese, Canadian geese and ducks with their chicks, a large bull Caribou and a fox. The driver pointed out gas pipelines, active drill stations and various companies as we drove to the bay.
Movable drill rigs going about their business
Zoe and other brace souls heading down the beach for a swim!
After the tour, we drove our bikes back to the hotel for a shower, short rest, then had lunch with the gang at the amazing hotel buffet. They had basically a small supermarket full of snacks for people to take between meals; we took full advantage and stocked up our panniers with snacks, sandwiches, cookies for the ride back down.
The Aurora hotel, not you average resort! Note the power plugs hanging in the car park to heat the truck engines in winter
Once finally in the road we took fuel at the one fuel station in the settlement, then onto the general store to take pictures with our bikes at the Deadhorse sign, which was covered in stickers left by previous riders.
At the famous general store sign
By the time this was done it was around 2pm; definitely time to start heading south. Fortunately we had the worst section to get over with first; the dreaded construction zone. We didn’t have to wait for the pilot cars, didn’t take too long. At the second pilot car, the worst soft section, we struggled over the loose round rocks; right near the end there was a truck pullout, creating Criss-crossed tyre tracks where I eventually lost traction and dropped the bike. It seemed fine, the guys helped me pick it up an we carried on.
We stopped to see what two brown animals were (quite far) by the Sag river bed; Andrews drone revealed they were Muskox, an animal we had been keen to see. An hour later, after the construction section we met Gino and Manu. Had a road side catch up, snacks and laughs.
Catching up with Gino and Manu who were headed north
Carried on through the tundra, past the marble gravel section, stopping now and then to regroup, snack and so on. We saw a herd of Musk Ox by the road, using the pipeline to walk underneath, very cool. We took pictures and watched until the mosquitoes drive us nuts again. Further up the road another one was in the flowers right next to the road. Our stops were very brief until we made it to the summit of Atigan Pass by 8:30. It was hazy and overcast today, mountains tinged blue with the forest fire smoke. The sun never really made it through all day.
Muskox chewing on flowers
We had our sandwiches then carried on down the other side. Around 9:30 we saw a moose cow in a pond by the road; she didn’t run away, we watched her graze underwater and sift the water out between mouthful. Lots and lots of rabbits too. By this point we were struggling to keep up the energy, it was a long long day and we pushed on, able to speed up on the more compact road this side of the pass. At 11pm we pulled into Coldfoot, such a relief as we were exhausted. The six of us had a celebratory beer at the bar, (we did it!) while wishing some small elves would put our tents up for us.
By the time we managed that, bed time was around 2am. No alarms tomorrow !
–Zoe
Day 103 refuses to open.
You really did it! Zoë had a swim, brave girl!
Shame for the bus tour to the final destination as I feel you would have preferred to motor all the way till the end, still, great job and an adventure to be proud of.
All the best now for the return trip!
Baci, as every day
To go out there in almost frozen water is crazy ! You’re quite a gril Zoe !
Luckily there was a bus to take you up to the sea as I can see the road is unpractical for your beemers.
Another full day of events and many kms done.
Nice pictures again. xx
Can not open day 103…