The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Shannon Huffman Polson | June 27, 2009
Our first leg of the Ultima Thule is two weeks hiking in the north-east Arctic, beginning in the foothills of the Romanzov Mountains along the Aichilik River and hiking south to the Upper Sheenjek River, designated in 1980 as a Wild River. We hope we might see some of the caribou migration, though it’s always [...]
(Avoiding) The unofficial Alaska State Bird
Shannon Huffman Polson | June 26, 2009
So on the mosquito front- in the Arctic three years ago I didn’t even think about anything other than DEET. The airforce in the Yukon Territory- at least down south here- is only the observation lookout post for the hordes to come. Mosquitoes in the arctic are so bad they can reportedly kill a baby [...]
Gear for the Ultima Thule
Shannon and Peter | June 24, 2009
We have modified this list a bit to make it specific to the Arctic
shotgun with shot and slugs
bear fence
Ursack or other bear-proof container
bear spray
mosquito head nets
SAT phone
(Iridium 9555)
maps
overview map of area
compass
GPS and extra batteries
sunglasses
sun screen
first-aid kit
knife
matches
water bottles
iodine/filter
nuun
camera
travel camera case
hot packs
bug juice (DEET)
head nets
chapstick with SPF
candle
duct tape
garbage bags
ziplocks
toilet paper
bandana
journal and pen
plastic zip ties
poncho
water filter
quick dry shorts
hat [...]
From Haines to Denali
Shannon Huffman Polson | June 23, 2009
Enroute to Alaska last weekend, we left the small sliver of the state near Haines for Canada after a late arrival by ferry, crossing into British Columbia and then into the Yukon Territory. We drove for three hours to Haines Junction, where the road from Skagway and Canada meets the road from Haines. Growing up [...]
Cruising north from Ketchikan, Alaska to Haines via Juneau
Shannon and Peter | June 15, 2009
We left Ketchikan after a couple mile run- I’m not sure if Teton or I enjoyed it more, and lunch with Peter at the New York Café. I had the recommended curry carrot soup and a salad, which leapt with flavor especially in contrast to our ferry food; Peter’s roast beef and grilled cheese sandwich- [...]
North up the Inside Passage to Alaska
Shannon and Peter | June 14, 2009
MV Columbia left Bellingham eight hours late at 2 AM Saturday morning. We squirmed around in our tent, pitched on the upper deck at the stern and surrounded by ten or fifteen other tents. Despite the quiet and clear night sky, Ursa Major and the north star leading us forward above the Alaskan flag mirroring [...]