Continuing to work in the Baird Mountains of Northwestern Alaska. I've really become attached to them. They have such a barren, arctic feel to them. There isn't as much wildlife here as down near Aniak, though there are Dall Sheep here which is very cool. I'm still searching for the elusive wolverine. Three guys in our group have seen them, a fact I am very jealous of.

Doing mineral exploration has been an interesting experience this summer. How does it feel to work towards exploiting the land? I'm not sure how I feel actually. It's occured to me that the larger problem of destroying pristine country has little to do with mining, oil and logging companies exploiting the land but rather the demand for oil, lumber, gold, silver, zinc, and copper in the modern world. Computers, medical devices, and electronics all use gold. For Americans to continue purchasing their computers, and living the lifestyle we've become accustomed to, these industries must continue. It's actually kind of sad really, how attached the western world is to Hummers, fancy cars, and personal image. But it really is all of us who are at fault for driving the changes in our world. Driving a fuel efficient car does little to help the environment if you're also purchasing solid wood furniture at Ikea, buying a new computer, running your air conditioner (all things I have done this summer), and doing all the other things that Americans take for granted. It all adds up when 280 million people do it. Last night our camp maintenance guy, Vince, took us on the "Kobuk River Tour" on his fishing boat. We pretty much just visited Rose's fishing cabin, upriver from our camp a few miles. Rose is 78 years old and spends the summer along the Kobuk River doing subsistence fishing, as she has all her life. Simple, hard, rewarding life with no computers, no facebook, and no blogging. I think someday I will get tired of the American lifestyle and move away. Hopefully anyway...


We'll see how Idaho goes.