North America - Alaska
"If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it's lethal."
Paulo Coelho
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Highly experienced leader of journeys across Alaska
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Deep knowledge of wildlife, environment, indigenous cultures
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State-of-the-art equipment for remote canoeing & rafting expeditions
In the vast, primordial wilderness of northern Alaska, you need a very special guide: a tough pioneer who knows how to blaze new trails; a skilled survivalist; a fearless leader who can cope with anything nature throws at him. Michael Wald can claim all these qualities and more. After more than 20 years guiding in the Arctic and countless hours exploring northern Alaska by foot and canoe, Michael knows many of these remote reaches better than anyone.
From his base in Fairbanks, Michael has pioneered trips to some of Alaska’s wildest corners, including canoeing and rafting in the rugged Brooks Range, tracking bears and walruses on Alaska’s coast, and exploring the volcanoes of the Aleutian Islands.
Although June- September is the summer season, Michael’s top-flight gear and cosy wood-heated tents enable guests to enjoy the Alaskan wilderness as early as April, when the great caribou herds start their epic migrations north, accompanied by predatory bears and soaring golden eagles.
From remote airstrips, Michael’s guests can immerse themselves in some of the world’s most remote and spectacular wilderness – paddling, hiking, or simply relaxing in Alaska’s most wildlife-rich locations. Michael’s favourite is the Western Brooks Range, arguably Alaska’s least travelled destination: home to wolves, muskoxen, grizzly bears, and the 250,000-strong Western Arctic caribou herd, and to limitless solitude.
On the Kokolik River, his 16-foot folding canoes are passports to one of the most pristine
environments on Earth – and the perfect way to see the larger wildlife up close. Schedules are designed to optimize opportunities for viewing particular animals: caribou in late June and late August, bears in July, each location timed to experience the best of the region.
The magic of Michael’s trips comes from having the comfort and safety to ensure trips free from worry, without interfering with the raw essence of a complete wilderness immersion. His wildlife knowledge stems from decades of Alaskan and Arctic travel, augmented by research on endangered bowhead whales and eider ducks, and campaigns to keep oil and gas development out of the 19-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Today, Michael is regularly called upon to guide visiting conservationists on Arctic expeditions, and he maintains close contact with an extensive network of wildlife biologists and Alaskan guides – lending all his trips the most accurate ecological information, and the most perceptive cultural wisdom.
