On The Ice

That's what we call it: on the ice. Whether you are talking about ice roads, ice residents , or ice rides lots happens in the winter on the North Slope of Alaska.

  Ice roads are built across the tundra: snow and water are hauled in, dumped, and manicured into roads and pads to facilitate drilling and general access. In the spring, they disappear....though it is easy for the trained eye to detect where they were by the presence of later and hence greener grasses.

This little red fox is a personal friend of mine. When I miss my wife and daughter I pull up to him and we have a chat. He is an arctic gargoyle, wiating patiently for a handout, though he never gets one from me. My wilderness ethic will not allow it.

These are rollagons, and they are expressly for winter tundra travel. The wide tires disperse weight and minimize damage to the tundra. They are capable of pulling massive loads and are exploration workhorses.