The Sun Is a Compass: A 4,000-Mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds
Who Would Like This Book:
If you crave epic wilderness adventures and love a dash of self-reflection, this one’s for you! Caroline Van Hemert’s memoir takes you on an inspiring 4,000-mile, human-powered journey across some of North America’s wildest landscapes. Her background as both a biologist and a creative writer shines - expect rich nature writing, fascinating bird facts, and intimate glimpses into her inner life. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy memoirs, adventure travel, stories of resilience, and anyone curious about Alaska’s breathtaking ecosystems.
Who May Not Like This Book:
This book may not hit the spot for those seeking a nonstop action survival thriller or a detailed blow-by-blow travel journal; it’s as much about inner journeys as outer ones. If you’re not into introspection, nature writing, or long passages about birds and the natural world, you might find parts of it slow. Some readers wanted even more detail during the most tense moments, and a few questioned just how risky the adventure really was, given access to a satellite phone.
About:
'The Sun Is a Compass' by Caroline Van Hemert is a memoir of her incredible journey covering over 4,000 miles from Washington state to northern Alaska through hiking, skiing, and pack rafting. As a field biologist, Van Hemert intertwines her personal experiences with her scientific research, particularly focusing on migration patterns. The narrative captures the challenges and close calls faced by the author during her adventurous expedition, making it an engaging and inspiring read for those interested in wilderness exploration and personal growth.
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From The Publisher:
For fans of Cheryl Strayed, the gripping story of a biologist's human-powered journey from the Pacific Northwest to the Arctic to rediscover her love of birds, nature, and adventure.
During graduate school, as she conducted experiments on the peculiarly misshapen beaks of chickadees, ornithologist Caroline Van Hemert began to feel stifled in the isolated, sterile environment of the lab. Worried that she was losing her passion for the scientific research she once loved, she was compelled to experience wildness again, to be guided by the sounds of birds and to follow the trails of animals.
In March of 2012, she and her husband set off on a 4,000-mile wilderness journey from the Pacific rainforest to the Alaskan Arctic, traveling by rowboat, ski, foot, raft, and canoe. Together, they survived harrowing dangers while also experiencing incredible moments of joy and grace - migrating birds silhouetted against the moon, the steamy breath of caribou, and the bond that comes from sharing such experiences.
A unique blend of science, adventure, and personal narrative, The Sun is a Compass explores the bounds of the physical body and the tenuousness of life in the company of the creatures who make their homes in the wildest places left in North America. Inspiring and beautifully written, this love letter to nature is a lyrical testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Winner of the 2019 Banff Mountain Book Competition: Adventure Travel
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The Sun Is a Compass: A 4,000-Mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds?
About the Author:
Caroline Van Hemert is a biologist and adventurer whose journeys have taken her from the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean to the swamps of the Okavango Delta. She currently works at the US Geological Survey Alaska Science Center and regularly publishes articles in scientific journals about birds and other wildlife in the north. Her research and expeditions have been featured by the New York Times, MSNBC, National Geographic, and more. She lives in Alaska with her husband and two young sons.
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