At play where the midnight sun holds court
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
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
I kicked steps into the wind blasted slopes, each one sending tufts of floor down to the valley below. The snow was shallow, my steps often punched right through to the rocks inches below. Without an ice axe, I traversed towards the pass with some trepidation. There were large rocks scattered below, not enough reason … Read more
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
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
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
The term sourdough is one flung around in Alaskan literature when talking about the history of the state or people of its past. For the unfamiliar, the name brings to mind that of the bread, that trusty companion out on the trail or away from town. Upon hearing it is a term applied to people, … Read more
It is considered to be one of the most elusive animals of the north. Quietly and stealthily moving throughout the forest, it often goes undetected by human eyes. So it is no surprise that when the animal is sighted, it is a special experience. I speak of the lynx. The northernmost member of the cat … Read more
Its multitude of calls will occasionally surprise even the most ardent observer. A presence throughout all of Alaska, they are one of the most visible animals within the state. Winter or summer, fall or spring, one can see their jet black figure flying above or calling, perched atop a spruce tree. The raven is arguably … Read more
