Arctic Crossing: One Man's 2,200 Mile Solo Journey by Kayak!
Lisa, thanks for sharing this with us, trust me a hike across Alaska is much more pleasant when the water is frozen and the mosquitos are dormant, with the right sleeping bag, winter camping is quite pleasant.
I wanted to share with you a book I have just read - a wilderness adventure called ‘Arctic Crossing’ by Jonathan
Waterman. It is a book about a man who made an incredible 2,200 mile solo journey across the Arctic Circle from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans by way of kayak, dog sled and cross country skis.
Waterman made his journey between 1997-1999, sometimes going weeks on end without seeing another human, with only his dog for company. What he did see were beluga whales, seals, caribou, wolves, bear and polar bear right up close along with dozens of types of birds. He paints a vivid portrait, rich in detail, of the stark Arctic landscape and its inhabitants. I love his descriptions of feelings of moments of unparalleled serenity.
He had quite the adventure - paddling through storms, capsized in 39 degree water, was bitten by thousands of mosquitos and was chased by a grizzly bear. Beluga whales swam right along next to him in his kayak – How cool is that???!!!
Imagine caribou trotting out to your kayak, beluga whales spouting around you and grizzly bears on the shore with a breathtaking landscape as backdrop? Wow, I wish I could experience that!
His journey was often harsh – sometimes pulling his kayak for miles over frozen waters. Imagine both the physical and psychological demands of such a long trip alone in a hostile environment demanding extreme fitness of both body and mind.
Waterman wanted to emulate the life of the Inuit or Canadian Eskimo. He was less interested in ‘conquering the elements’ than he was in learning to live the ways of the simple life of a people untouched by the modern elements of what we call ‘civilization’. Today’s fast paced society collides with the cultural values of the ancient Inuit culture. The human element of the book discusses the struggle of a culture searching for its lost identity as it tries to fit its ancient values into a modern world that is not interested and lacks understanding. Despite their differences, Waterman forms warm friendships with the Inuit people.
It has always been a dream of mine to do a month long hiking/camping trip in the Alaskan wilderness – an area untouched by man – so remote that I would not encounter another human – and just bask in the peace, serenity and majesty of nature. Although I would much rather make my journey during the summer months!
They call the Artic Circle ‘the roof of the world’. I hope that my little book review inspires someone to read this book. It won the Best Travel Adventure Book Award from the Banff International Book Festival. By the way, Banff is on my Top Five places that I want to visit - it is supposed to be spectacular country up there.
Happy Reading!
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