August 2006 Noatak River Float Trip
This slideshow features many of the highlights from the Herriott brother's 19 day float trip on the Noatak River in Northwest Alaska. Much of the 435 river miles of the Noatak lie in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Noatak National Preserve. The Noatak River basin is the "largest undisturbed watershed in North America." This Wild and Scenic River is also designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
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The three bulls circling up. This circling of the wagons is a defense mechanism that muskoxen have employed for millennia. They face out after circling and take on predators such as wolves in a formidable wall of tenacity and horns. The calves hide in the middle of the circle. This stand-your-ground defense mechanism is an excellent way of conserving energy in the harsh arctic environment. Also, note the large horn boss on the rightmost bulls forehead. Testosterone filled head butting is the name of the game when bull muskoxen compete for cows during the rut. A 30 yard standoff, a running start, and a head on collision with something like a brick wall at the end is about what the strength test boils down to.
