Ned's Pipeline Trek Page

I just finished one of the most difficult sections of this hike---pushing overflowing shopping carts down the aisles of Fairbanks stores. I was the guy with bad facial hair emptying the bulk food bins. I also personally caused a freeze-dried dinner shortage in Fairbanks.

Seeing hundreds of people shopping after two months of watching grouse, hares and porcupines provided a mental overload, but it was nothing compared to the task of actually planning when I was going to eat the variety of food during the next part of my hike. To the rescue were Clara Jodwalis and John Arntz, who patiently measured cups of dried fruit, oatmeal, and refried beans while I busied myself with less taxing tasks, such as scooping Jane's food into 11 separate bags, one for each food drop to Prudhoe Bay.

With nearly a dozen boxes now bulging with ramen ,rice, camera film and candy bars, I escaped with Clara back to the trail a few nights ago. Clara, Jane, and I regained the path late, at 10:50 p.m., an hour I chose for its coolness and an hour that chose me because it took all day to prepare for this excursion to Prudhoe Bay.

The pipeline workpad seemed like a lost friend after a week in town. Its curves promised something new every few minutes. The step-by-step rhythm of walking felt like home. Birds singing, the pleasure of cool air scented with spruce smoke, and an escort cloud of mosquitoes, told me this was the place to be.

I am back to dark brown moose with thoroughbred lines who watch our approach with alert ears; back to squadrons of dragonflies hunting the night air over rivers and creeks; back to the delightful wobble of my dog's backside.

Of course every minute is not a pleasure out here--mosquitoes still attack with pin-prick precision when it cools down. My pack still bites my shoulders and hips, my toes are sore, and the elastic in my underwear is dead.

Still, I feel right out here, unrushed, and I'll have that feeling for as long as it takes to walk 438 more miles. As I walk a roller coaster of Interior Alaska hilltops and river valleys, I'm not even halfway from Valdez to Prudhoe Bay. That's kind of scary when I think about it. It's also excellent.

Before I sign off, I want to correctly spell the name of the Bonser family. Kara and Zack Bonser left a drawing of Jane and I on a sign at Eielson Air Force Base. You guys made me laugh!

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