I know it’s bad grammar, but “Me and Daisy” just sounds right.  It is much more enthusiastic and communicates the excitement much better than the staid and responsible “Daisy and I.” This decision is absolutely not staid and responsible. I have decided to drive the 3,300 miles to Fairbanks, with the help of my trusty automotive […]

Remember the bullet proof game plan for buying my gear?  How I was going to enter REI calmly, with laser-like focus, and exit with a full complement of equipment?  Didn’t happen. I did my slow breathing in the car and confidently entered the store. The first thing that hit me was the vibe.  I’ve decided that […]

Who said anything about life vests?  There we were at the Expeditioneers’ planning gathering last week up in Bend.  Jeff, Bill, Rick and me sitting around the table with Sigrid on the monitor via Skype from Santa Barbara and Fran patched in via speaker phone from Fairbanks.  We’d spent an hour going over trip logistics, food planning, […]

I have to admit my greatest fear.  It’s not the bears or the cold or the possibility of death or serious injury. It’s not even the mosquitos. My greatest fear is being the weakest link. As you know, I have hardly any true wilderness experience, by far the least of any of my fellow Expeditioneers.  […]

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Its name is bandied about all the time, and depending on who’s doing the bandying, it is either the most sacred piece of wilderness left in the United States or a wasted source of critically needed petroleum supply. As you can probably tell from the photo at the top of […]

It really is a good thing my mother hasn’t asked how we’re going to call for help yet.  I’ve got to figure it out for myself first. Here’s where the whole wilderness thing really starts to sink in for me. When I think of being in the wilderness I imagine standing alone, embraced by mountain peaks, […]

I am going to ANWR!  Yes, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  That mythical wilderness of glaciated mountains, retreating sea ice and stranded polar bears, and vast herds of migrating caribou doing battle against the invasion of big oil.  A place where there are still unnamed mountain peaks and passes.  A place for wizened explorers who […]