Oncoming Winter

Having grown up in the lower 48, when I think of life in the Arctic, I wonder whether I could survive and thrive in winter that cold and dark. When I was talking to people in Anaktuvuk Pass, especially the younger people, they feel cooped up in town in the summer. The terrain is too rugged to get way out on a 4 wheeler and live large. It's small and remote and feels isolated in the summer.

But you see their eyes light up when they talk about getting through the summer and looking forward to the oncoming winter. The cold opens up the world to them, and travel is easier on the snow and frozen rivers. Winter is the time when world blossoms here. Time to play and explore and hunt.

Winter is the time when you get to travel and see relatives.

I have read similar accounts of Arctic life. Summer is something you get through. Winter is when you come alive. Unfortunately my contract here ends soon, and I won’t likely be seeing winter here this year. But maybe next year.

I was talking to the students in Anaktuvuk Pass about cold temperature impact on solar panels. Cold, sunny days improve the amount of electricity you generate. I mentioned -20C because it is a common number for manufacturers to use.

Ben, one of the students chimed in, "-20 is nothing here. You bundle up for -40 or -50 though."