Alaskana

Sled Dogs and Oil

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The coastline stretched out across the horizon, beyond lay the jumbled heap of ice, offering the only relief in this flat landscape.  Among the pressure ridges and fissures, there likely lurked a polar bear.  Perhaps, an arctic fox followed close by in its tracks, hoping to scavenge any leftover scraps.  Beneath the surface, there was … Read more

Split Wood

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Wood lays haphazardly stacked next to the woodstove, ready to provide service in the battle against winter’s cold.  Inside the stove, the fire burns.  A bed of hot coals sit beneath the logs radiating their warmth to the exterior surfaces.  I have run a fire continuously since the beginning of October, when the cold settled … Read more

Preserving Food

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The frigid temperatures of winter prevent many from living in the area on a permanent basis, even with all the modern conveniences found in today’s world.  But the Arctic environment is not without its multitude of benefits, one of those being the ease of storing food in the winter season.  Once the mercury drops below … Read more

Electricity

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The sun struggles to rise over the horizon during the day.  Minutes after noon, it finally yields its light over the mountains, shining across the valley below. The cold that had settled in the valley throughout the long night begins to dissipate, the mercury slowly rising towards zero.  Snow adorns the spruce boughs and ice … Read more

Aurora Nights

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The sound of the logs popping and crackling reverberated off the barrels.  Inside, the fire burned brightly, the flames light playing out through the vent onto the snow.  As the fire built to a climax, the 55 gallon barrels glowed red, radiating intense heat to anyone that was cold enough to stand nearby.  In two … Read more

Water

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Sealing the caps on the jugs, I adjusted my gloves, bent down and readied myself for the walk back.  I had walked the 300 yards or so from my cabin to the river in order to get water for the coming week.  Walking back to the cabin, I made a couple stops, unable to move … Read more

A Walk Down the Bettles

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Clack, clack, clack, clack. The sound of the metal points hitting the ice broke the silence. On either side of the river valley rose sharp, limestone mountains covered with high cliffs and pinnacles.  It was mid-April. Although the days were long, night still fell over the land. And with the sun dipping behind the mountains … Read more

Further Thoughts on Trapping

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I often hear negative opinions* on trapping whenever the topic is brought up with someone from outside the northern regions (Alaska and Canada).  Living in the wilderness offers a lifestyle where one sees the direct result of their actions and bears the consequences, both positive and negative.  Animals are killed by those consuming them, wood … Read more