After nearly 36 hours and 3500 miles, I arrived at the Toolik Field Station on the North Slope of Alaska. I flew into Fairbanks last night and today I set out at 10am in the Toolik Truck with Chad, Art and Erica for the 357-mile drive up the Dalton Highway, also known as the “Haul Road” because of the all the trucks driving from Prudhoe Bay.
The Dalton Highway
Going can be slow on the Dalton Highway, with long waits for construction.
Art & Erica and the Toolik Truck waiting for construction
We stopped for a photo op when we crossed the Arctic Circle.
Crossing the Arctic Circle
Coldfoot is the biggest town between Fairbanks and the Arctic Ocean.
Downtown Coldfoot
After Coldfoot we crossed the Brooks Range over Atigun Pass, over 4000' high.
Tundra on the Brooks Range
We arrived at Toolik about 7:30pm for an excellent dinner and a short orientation. I have my own 6-person tent, for now, and I'm looking forward to getting to work.
Lodging at Toolik
View of the Brooks Range from Toolik