At play where the midnight sun holds court
Living in Alaska for many people means living in a place that is very far from any kind of family due to the many that originate from elsewhere in Alaska’s urban areas. For me that holds true as well. I was raised outside Chicago, IL and almost all of my family and friends are still … Read more
After scratching during last year’s Ski Classic, I made it my mission to return and finish. This year I would be attempting to ski the route through the Arctic Refuge, from Atigun Gorge to Wiseman, via a checkpoint on the Wind River. In 2017, the going had proved to be slow for those on the … Read more
When it comes to trapping, there are a few animals that quickly come to mind. One is wolves, which are iconic among wild animals, are sought after by trappers for their prized pelts and draw the support of those against the practice of trapping. Another is the beaver, the animal that brought men to the … Read more
Bears, wolves, wolverines and lynx. All rank high on the lists of animals that people wish to see when coming to Alaska. However in a state located so far north, population densities remain small. The coupling of minimal vegetative diversity and a harsh climate make for an environment that is unfriendly to large populations. Despite … Read more
In 1925, the first airplane to land above the Arctic Circle set down on the gravel bar along the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River near Wiseman. Residents had anticipated the plane’s arrival and a young boy was the first to spot it far off in the distance. As the plane rolled to a stop, … 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
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
In the morning around the yard, I often see bunnies feeding. Clustered around the brush piles, they pick at old buds, strip bark from the trees and feed on any grass that’s present. Every so often, I’d be awoken early in the morning to the sound of steps outside the cabin. Not long after, the … Read more
The horses moved against the current, pulling the long draft boat up the river. Atop the flat bottomed boat lay thousands of pounds worth of gear. Whiskey, food staples and hardware were just a few of the many objects within the shipment. Men stood aboard the boat, using long poles to stay in the deeper … Read more
For those pursuing the subsistence lifestyle, fall is the busiest time of the year. Gardens that were planted in early summer are ready to be harvested and stored, final preparations and additions are made to the wood pile and people go out in the country searching for game. Without a garden to harvest and a … Read more