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Five Alaskan wilderness experts Obama should consult instead of Bear Grylls Five Alaskan wilderness experts Obama should consult instead of Bear Grylls
(34 minutes later)
During President Obama’s trip to Alaska this week, he will be testing out his survival skills on the NBC reality show Running Wild with Bear Grylls, a show on which the adventurer takes 48 hour journeys with celebrities into remote locations around the world. During Barack Obama’s trip to Alaska this week, he will be testing out his survival skills on the NBC reality show Running Wild with Bear Grylls, a show on which the adventurer takes 48-hour journeys with celebrities into remote locations around the world.
The episode, set to air later this year, is meant to highlight the effects of climate change in Alaska and also put the president’s survival skills to the test (albeit with Secret Service supervision). The episode, set to air later this year, is meant to highlight the effects of climate change in Alaska and also put the president’s survival skills to the test (albeit with secret service supervision).
But one can’t help but wonder if the president might learn a little more about the Alaskan wilderness from one of its own. The Guardian compiled a list of five experts on the Alaskan wilderness who would put Grylls to shame. But one can’t help but wonder if the president might learn a little more about the Alaskan wilderness from one of its own. We compiled a list of five experts on the Alaskan wilderness who would put Grylls to shame.
1. Richard Proenneke1. Richard Proenneke
No one knows the Alaskan wilderness quite like Proenneke. He spent 30 years alone in the mountains, in a log cabin that he built himself, living off of the land. Proenneke hunted, fished, and grew his own food. He documented his time in the wild on paper and film and eventually was employed by the National Park Service for his knowledge and wilderness prowess. Proenneke died in April 2003 at the age of 86. No one knows the Alaskan wilderness quite like Proenneke. He spent 30 years alone in the mountains, in a log cabin that he built himself, living off the land. Proenneke hunted, fished, and grew his own food. He documented his time in the wild on paper and film and eventually was employed by the National Park Service for his knowledge and wilderness prowess. Proenneke died in 2003 at the age of 86.
2. Danielle Bailey2. Danielle Bailey
Every year, on the first weekend in December, the Talkeetna Bachelor Society hosts the Wilderness Woman Contest, a competition to “show men that women can do all the work”, according to their website. The contest, which began in 1986, is open to single women who are 21 or older and is comprised of three timed events that change from year to year in order to showcase the Alaskan women’s skills. In 2014, Bailey took home the top prize.Every year, on the first weekend in December, the Talkeetna Bachelor Society hosts the Wilderness Woman Contest, a competition to “show men that women can do all the work”, according to their website. The contest, which began in 1986, is open to single women who are 21 or older and is comprised of three timed events that change from year to year in order to showcase the Alaskan women’s skills. In 2014, Bailey took home the top prize.
While some of the events are absurd – like making a sandwich for a man lounging in a recliner – the majority separate the girls from the women. In the past they have included driving a snow-machine, chopping wood, catching fish, climbing a tree, and harnessing a sled-dog team. While some of the events are absurd – like making a sandwich for a man lounging in a recliner – the majority separate the girls from the women. In the past they have included driving a snow-machine, chopping wood, catching fish, climbing a tree and harnessing a sled-dog team.
3. Dallas Seavey3. Dallas Seavey
At 4.13 on the morning of 18 March, Seavey won the Iditarod Race, an annual long-distance dog race that runs from Anchorage to Nome that can take between 9 and 15 days or more. It was his third win in four years – 2013’s title was claimed by his father, Mitch. At 4.13 on the morning of 18 March, Seavey won the Iditarod Race, an annual long-distance dog race that runs from Anchorage to Nome that can take between nine and 15 days or more. It was his third win in four years – 2013’s title was claimed by his father, Mitch.
The younger Seavey currently holds the record for fastest trip at 8 days, 13 hours, 4 minutes and 19 seconds. At the age of 25, he was also the youngest musher to ever win the race. Navigating Alaskan terrain seems to run in his blood as his father, Mitch, is the oldest person to have ever won the race. The younger Seavey currently holds the record for fastest trip at eight days, 13 hours, four minutes and 19 seconds. At the age of 25, he was also the youngest musher to ever win the race. Navigating Alaskan terrain seems to run in his blood as his father, Mitch, is the oldest person to have ever won the race.
4. Qailertetang4. Qailertetang
The Inuit people believe that Qailertetang, a female deity, is the guardian of animals, fishers and hunters. She also controls the weather. While it is believed that she can normally be found with her companion Sedna at the bottom of the sea, her skill set would come in handy while guiding the president around.The Inuit people believe that Qailertetang, a female deity, is the guardian of animals, fishers and hunters. She also controls the weather. While it is believed that she can normally be found with her companion Sedna at the bottom of the sea, her skill set would come in handy while guiding the president around.
5. Any of the medal winners at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics5. Any of the medal winners at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics
The competition, held in Fairbanks every year, is meant to preserve cultural practices and test survival skills. The events are diverse and often are meant to simulate a survival situation. For instance, the four man carry – in which the athlete has four men draped over him and must walk for as long as he can – is preparation for carrying game home after hunting or hauling packing wood or ice. Other contests include speed-cutting salmon, walking a greased pole, eating whale, seal skinning, high kicking and enduring pain from a piece of sinew pulled around the back of the ear to simulate the pain of frostbite.The competition, held in Fairbanks every year, is meant to preserve cultural practices and test survival skills. The events are diverse and often are meant to simulate a survival situation. For instance, the four man carry – in which the athlete has four men draped over him and must walk for as long as he can – is preparation for carrying game home after hunting or hauling packing wood or ice. Other contests include speed-cutting salmon, walking a greased pole, eating whale, seal skinning, high kicking and enduring pain from a piece of sinew pulled around the back of the ear to simulate the pain of frostbite.