Even before Jim Kedrowski landed in the mountains of Tajikistan, before he put his sites on a Marco Polo, the world’s largest species of sheep — he knew he was in for an adventure. Kedrowski is a hunting guide and … Read the rest

Why do Iditarod mushers brave the relentless cold, the rough terrain, and the mind-numbing fatigue of the race? Beyond the challenge of the trail and the excitement of competition, the answer lies somewhere in the head and heart of a … Read the rest

When winter’s darkness first descends on Alaska, it has the cozy feel of a comfortable blanket. I tend to breathe a sigh of relief by late September when the summer’s maniacal activities begin to wind down. Frantic fishing, a steady … Read the rest

A fragile snowflake descends from the sky and gently joins the living force of a glacier; a power strong enough to carve valleys and sculpt mountains.

My first experience with Alaska’s glaciers was a flight over blue ice in a … Read the rest

When Lydia Wirkus retired from her job as a high school teacher in Wasilla, she looked forward to spending more time developing her skills as a stained glass artist. But after six months, she grew restless. Although she enjoyed making … Read the rest