40 Days In The Wilderness! – February 29, 2008

Today marks 40 days that Willie has been out in the wilderness. 40 days has had special meaning of life transforming journeys in other people… I’m sure Willie has changed somewhat during these past 40 days too. The lessons of the wilderness surrounding you each and every moment would have to have that effect on a person.

Last Saturday, February 23 marked the 1/2 way point of his journey. I had my own personal celebration, as this means we are 1/2 way closer to seeing each other again… Last night we had more Northern Lights across the night sky. I wonder if Willie saw them too?

Willie told me a couple weeks ago that, “I’m transforming into this guy who walks around in this vast wilderness by himself, alone, all day long… It has made me a stronger person…”

I read the journal entry from February 29, 1908 – 100 years ago- in Charles Sheldon’s book. “They had seen plenty of sheep and the fresh track of a WOLF, THE FIRST THAT HAD COME INTO THE UPPER COUNTRY SINCE I HAD BEEN THERE.” Meanwhile, 100 years later, Willie has seen tons of wolf tracks, and FINALLY saw his first Dall Sheep just this past week! Things have changed…

Related posts

• Journal Entry From February 1, 2008
• Journal Entries For March 5, 7, & 10th
• Saturday, February 2, 2008- Day 13
• Monday March 10, 2008 – Day 50
• Up the trail, finally

Toklat Temperatures For February 29, 2008 – Day 40

February 29, 2008, Friday
Toklat temperatures since midnight:
Max, -2 degrees F
Min, -17 F
Wind speed: 9 mph from NNW
Wind Gust: 13 mph
Denali Education Center temperatures at 6:30 pm: 0 F (and windy!) Our local forecast is calling for -40 F with the wind chill tonight. Winds at: SW 25 mph, Gusts 46 mph (I’m not sure why Tolkat reads so differently, but it sounds better out there!)
Sunrise: 8:02 am
Sunset: 6:08 pm
Total daylight: 10 hours, 5 minutes (10 hours!!!!!!)

Related posts

• Tuesday, February 19, 2008- Day 30
• Tuesday, February 26, 2008 Toklat Temperatures

Video – Day 1 – January 21, 2008

Video From 1st Day- January 21, 2008

Thursday, February 28, 2008 – Day 39

Toklat temperatures since midnight:
Max, 15 degrees F
Min, 1 F
Denali Education Center temperature at 4:00 pm: 19 F
Wind speed: 3 mph from WNW
Wind gust: 6 mph
Sunrise: 8:09 am
Sunset: 6:09 pm
Total daylight: 9 hours, 58 minutes

Willie called to let me know the camping went very well. We had a brief conversation as he was heading back out. He is taking advantage of this “beautiful and perfect weather”.

The mushers Carmen, Krusty and Sarah headed back out yesterday, February 27, 2008. They are heading all the way out to the end of the park road. This is their “big trip” out to Wonder Lake. When they get to the Toklat area they will check on Willie. It has been 31 days since Willie has seen another human being. And that was when the mushers left him at Toklat on January 28.

Last night Wednesday, February 27th, the Northern Lights were rockin’ across the sky. When I spoke to Willie today he saw them too. I think it is cool that we are seeing the same northern lights, stars, and moon at night…

This is all for now…

Related posts

• Sunday March 16, 2006 – Day 56
• Tuesday, February 19, 2008- Day 30
• March 1, 2008 – Day 41