Episode 9 | Author Caroline Van Hemert on 4,000 Miles Across the Arctic

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Summary

In this episode, we talk to Alaskan writer, biologist, and adventurer Caroline Van Hemert. Caroline is an ornithologist who, along with her husband Pat, undertook a 4,000-mile human-powered journey from Bellingham Washington to Kotzebue, a small town high above the arctic circle.

Caroline’s written a book about her journey, The Sun is a Compass. The book weaves together a lot of threads: the path Caroline’s life took to get to the start of her journey, her relationship with her husband, her life as a scientist, her feelings about motherhood: it’s a great read.

Our interview covers all that and more. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversation with Caroline Van Hemert.

Outline

• Andrew introduces the subject of their interview: Caroline Van Hemert.

• Andrew tries to digest the scope of Caroline’s journey.
• Where Caroline grew up and how she found herself on long adventures.
• A German word for “restless need to migrate”.
  • Finding parallels between birds and humans
• Trip logistics.
• What was Caroline most worried about, and did those fears pan out?
• The challenges of trip planning, even with modern tools.
• Advice for planning similar routes.
  • Lean on local contacts!
• What makes an elegant route?
• Breaking down the different modes of human-powered transportation.
  • Rowing, skiing, hiking, packrafting, and canoeing.
  • Which of these things did Caroline enjoy the most?
• Caroline recommends training strategies for trips with a variety of physical demands.
• What was her low point, and how did she overcome it?
  • Arctic biting insects
  • Peeing in a food dish
• Cooking methods.
• Indispensable gear.
• Sacrificing gear for weight considerations.
• Conflict, outdoor partnerships, and risk management.
  • The pros and cons of adventuring with a romantic partner
  • Listening to intuitions vs. pushing forward
• The perils of missing out on life events
  • The gifts that the wilderness gives us.
• Career decisions
• Motherhood and adventuring
  • Advice for parents
• The writing process
  • Advice for adventure writers

Follow Caroline on Facebook and Instagram.  You can find her book wherever books are sold – learn more about The Sun is a Compass on Caroline’s website.

Feedback, Questions, Tips?

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Credits

• Backpacking Light – Executive Producer
• Ryan Jordan – Director and Host
• Andrew Marshall – Producer, Writer, Host, and Editor
• Special Thanks — Caroline Van Hemert
• Look for Me in the Mountains – Music
  • Written by: Chris Cunningham and Ryan Jordan
  • Performed by: Chris Cunningham (acoustic guitar, lead and harmony vocals, harmonica), Chad Langford (upright bass), and Tom Murphy (mandolin).
  • Produced by: Basecamp Studios in Bozeman, Montana

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