Gates of the Arctic National Park: Twelve Years of Wilderness Exploration

Without the pictures, this book is great field guide on how to approach and explore the Gates of the Arctic National Park. The author provides ample advice to any would-be explorer of the need to be totally prepared in this “terrible” beauty, to borrow a phrase from Yeats. As so aptly described, the Park territory can both be treacherous and awe inspiring. To appreciate the latter, you need to be prepared for the former. The book provides basic information about the vital airfields, river flows and villages that serve the Park. Cautionary advice is offered for encountering the potentially life threatening wildlife that includes grizzly bears, moose and wolves.With the pictures, this book is a visual explosion of the geography of one of the Earth’s greatest natural treasures. The photos capture the majesty of the Park’s ecosystem; the mountains, hills, valleys, rivers and animals. The reader should be prepared to be mesmerized.The author infuses the story of the Park with the human element. He writes eloquently of the people who carve out a life in this rugged landscape and those who joined him on patrol for the National Park Service. He shares how the Park is a “spiritual” salve for military veterans such as himself and others who served in combat.The book is a reminder that while man is steward of this natural realm, man cannot really control this astonishing place.

Gates of the Arctic National Park: Twelve Years of Wilderness Exploration is a classic and the first book ever written about the second largest national ParkThe foreword by Taylor Pensoneau presents a brief biography of the author, Joe Wilkins, and how he considered it fortunate that his isolated upbringing in Southern Illinois permitted development of mental and physical capacity important for survival later in life. This is how he was prepared for this challenging experience. A powerful statement.Joe well describes the harsh realities of the region and the complexities of the environment including the unpredictable weather and encounters with diverse wildlife.The spectacular photography and accompanying narratives allow one to feel a part of the experience.How fortunate we are to relax in a warm home environment and be able to vividly experience the trials and rewards of the author’s 12 years of wilderness exploration.Although Alaska is number one on my bucket list, I will be satisfied visiting other parts of the state since I have experienced the Arctic National Park-thanks to Joe Wilkins.I have currently purchased 11 copies of the book to share with relatives and friends and will purchase more in the future.

Move over Ansel Adams, you have competition from Joe Wilkins with his book Gates of the Artic National Park. Joe’s photographs of Alaska are breathtaking; in fact, one could spend a pleasurable day doing nothing more than viewing all of the beautiful photos in the book. Once one reads about Joe’s adventures however, the reasons why the photos are so breathtaking become clear. Joe loves Alaska. The photographs reflect his understanding, respect and love for the pristine wilderness of the Gates of the Artic National Park. He didn’t size up scenes only with his eyes; he sized them up with his heart.To look only at the pictures however, would be to miss a trek with Joe through Gates of the Artic National Park! Even though I was comfortably ensconced in my recliner as I read this book, I felt as if I were walking right alongside Joe as he described all the wonders of the wilderness. I could hear his professorial voice as he pointed out boulders that were deposited by glaciers during the ice age. I could experience his delight as he discovered some delicate flowers hidden under a bush. I could hear his amazingly calm, analytical voice as he sized up a charging grizzly bear to figure out whether he was going to be the bear’s dinner or not. I’m sure he didn’t tell his wife, Jean about that episode until he got home!Give yourself a gift and buy this book. When it arrives, block out a good portion of the day to visit Alaska with Joe. While you are at it, buy two books and give one as a gift to someone you love. This book is a treasure!

Gorgeous photos and captivating reading. Joe Wilkins writes beautifully. The format doesn't make reading easy or comfortable, though. Minor complaint, but be warned.

In his newly released book, Gates of the Arctic National Park: Twelve Years of Wilderness Exploration, Joe Wilkins takes readers on a real adventure without leaving the comfort of the chair in which they’ve chosen to “walk” through this experience. Through 1) stories recounting hiking and exploring experiences and some scary moments, 2) photographs presenting a wide range of majestic, beautiful and harsh reaches of the Park, and 3) detail on what a real life adventurer needs by way of skill, equipment and bravado to make these wilderness sojourns and come back alive, Wilkins keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.He artfully feeds the interest of readers simply wanting to learn more about the Park and the Alaskan wilderness and of those readers wanting themselves to learn more about the challenges and requirements for suiting up and heading for the mountains. Wilkins sums up my experience as a reader well when he reflects on a jaunt into the wilderness with one of his many adventurer colleagues, Fr. Peter Harmon: “My goal for our trip was to share with him an authentic adventure in the artic wilderness, not just give him a tourist’s peripheral exposure to a ‘pretty area.’ I think we succeeded.”I too think he succeeded and highly recommend this many faceted guide to the Gates of the Arctic National Park.