Blurb: Pronounced an-ack-TOO-vick , the Nunamiut phrase for “the place of Caribou droppings” or “the place where dung is found.”
Location / Coordinates: Anaktuvuk Pass is located on the continental divide in northern Alaska between the Anaktuvuk River and the John River in the central Brooks Range, in the Gates of the Arctic National Parks and Preserve. North of the Arctic circle about 110 miles, Anaktuvuk Pass is part of the North Slope Borough. Fairbanks is about 250 miles southwest of Anaktuvuk Pass and about the same distance southeast of Barrow.
Coordinates: Latitude N68.14 & Longitude W151.73
Population / Elevation: Anaktuvuk Pass has just over 300 residents living at just over 2,000 feet above sea level.
Description: Anaktuvuk Pass is a Nunamiut Eskimo community dependent upon subsistence living. Hunting and trapping for the sle of skins, guiding hunters, or making traditional Caribou skin masks or clothing provides income for most of the residents of Anaktuvuk Pass.
What to do there: Anaktuvuk Pass is encompassed by the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, 8.4 million acres including the national park, two national preserves, six Wild and Scenic Rivers, and two National Natural Landmarks. The maze of glaciated valleys and gaunt, rugged mountains is cut by wild rivers and covered with boreal forest and Arctic tundra. Moose, Caribou, Dahl Sheep, Wolves, and Grizzly and Black Bears inhabit the land.
The Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is accessible by walking from the Anaktuvuk Pass airfield. Commercial air service is also available from Anaktvuk Pass. The Park & Preserve are open year round. Information is available from the Anaktuvuk Pass Ranger Station. Arcitc weather can be extreme, even during the summer season, allow plenty of extra time to arrive and depart. Also bring extra food and clothing.
There is a year-round museum in Anaktvuk Pass. The museum focuses on the early natural and cultural history of the area. Nunamiut clothing, and hunting implements are also on display.
History: Anaktuvuk Pass is the last remaining settlement of the Nunamiut people. The Nunamiut people scattered to other parts of Alaska in 1926-27 when the Caribou became sacarce. Cultural changes from the influences of western civilization didn’t help either. In the late 1930s several Nunamit families returned to the mountains at Killik River and Chandler Lake, then moved too Anaktuvuk Pass.
Other Nunamiut people began to return to Anaktuvuk Pass and it became a community, incorporated in 1959.
How to get there: Accessible only by air, Anaktuvuk Pass does have an airport of sorts. Chartered flights from Fairbanks or Barrow bring in people and cargo.
Facilities: Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska isn’t set up for visitors other than maybe camping.
RV info: There are no RV facilites in Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska.
