Following the immense success of our 2014 Traverse of the western portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, long-time clients Mark and Joan Strobel were eager to continue the route westward from the Hulahula River and see more of what is referred to locally as simply "The Refuge". Dan, my boss at Alaska Alpine Adventures, of course wanted to continue the route and I compromised my pay rate and nagged him sufficiently to ensure my spot on the trip as well.