Ned's Pipeline Trek Page

Week 1 Report	Week 10 - Ned takes a week off from writing
Week 2 Report	Week 11 Report
Week 3 Report	Week 12 Report
Week 4 Report	Week 13 Report
Week 5 Report	Week 14 Report
Week 6 Report	Week 15 Report
Week 7 Report	Week 16 Report
Week 8 Report	Week 17 Report
Week 9 Report	Week 18 Report

800-Mile Hike Celebrates Trans-Alaska Pipeline's 20th Anniversary

A rugged hike along the trans-Alaska pipeline corridor will help commemorate the 20th anniversary of both Alaska's oil pipeline and the Alaska Science Forum, a column about scientific topics written for the layperson, produced weekly by the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

While hiking along the pipeline corridor for four months this summer, Ned Rozell, a science writer for the Geophysical Institute, will write two weekly columns: one about his experiences from the field, and one about science topics inspired by his hike.

Rozell is scheduled to begin his hike on May 4 in Valdez, then follow the trans-Alaska pipeline corridor as it snakes across Alaska until he reaches Prudhoe Bay in early September. Along the pipeline route from the Gulf of Alaska to the Arctic Ocean, Rozell and his dog Jane will cross 800 rivers and streams and three of the most majestic mountain ranges in North America.

Rozell's hike also will commemorate two other special occasions: the 50th anniversary of the Geophysical Institute and the 80th anniversary of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Rozell's training as a backcountry ranger, wilderness firefighter, and marathon runner and skier have prepared him for the rigors of the trail. Where possible, Rozell will avoid rivers and creeks by hiking to highway bridges. When deep rivers and creeks can not be avoided, he'll inflate a rubber Trail Boat, tether his dog Jane, and ferry his backpack across. He'll then ferry across Jane, who will wear a special backpack filled with dog food and flotation in case she decides to swim.

Rozell will carry a palm-top computer, water-proof notebooks, a cellular phone, first-aid supplies, and survival gear in his backpack. He'll purify water through a portable Katadyn filter and his food will be resupplied at weekly intervals. Friends and coworkers will check on Rozell's safety throughout the trip; major highways are never more than 11 miles from the pipeline corridor.

For more information, please contact the UAF Geophysical Institute at (907) 474-7558 or visit our web site.