The Sun Is a Compass

The Sun Is a Compass chronicles a 4,000-mile human-powered expedition through the wilderness from Washington State to Alaska. Wildlife biologist Caroline Van Hemert and her husband Patrick embark on this journey using skis, rowboats, canoes, rafts, and their own feet to traverse harsh landscapes. The narrative follows their route through British Columbia, the Yukon Territory, and the Alaskan Arctic as they navigate challenges both physical and mental. Van Hemert documents the wildlife encounters, weather extremes, and survival situations they face while moving through remote terrain that few humans have seen. Beyond the adventure story, this memoir examines the intersection of science and personal discovery in wild places. The author's background as an ornithologist adds depth to her observations of the natural world, while the journey itself becomes a meditation on purpose, risk, and the human connection to wilderness.

Readers found this memoir both a wilderness adventure and a personal journey, appreciating Van Hemert's detailed observations of Arctic wildlife and honest reflections on career decisions. Many noted her ability to blend scientific knowledge with emotional storytelling. Readers highlighted: - Clear, vivid descriptions of remote landscapes - Balance between nature writing and personal narrative - Information about lesser-known Arctic species - Relationship dynamics between the author and her husband Common critiques: - Some sections move slowly in the middle - More maps would help track the journey - Technical terms sometimes interrupt flow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.34/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (850+ ratings) Reader quote: "She manages to write about both birds and marriage with equal grace" - Goodreads reviewer "The descriptions of Alaska's remote corners make you feel like you're there" - Amazon reviewer "Could have used more context about Arctic indigenous communities" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🗺️ Caroline Van Hemert and her husband traveled 4,000 miles from the Pacific rainforest to the Alaskan Arctic entirely by human power - hiking, skiing, paddling, and rowing. 🦅 The author is an ornithologist who completed her Ph.D. studying beak deformities in Black-capped Chickadees, making her uniquely qualified to observe the diverse bird species encountered during her journey. 🛶 The expedition required careful planning of 8 different modes of wilderness travel, including packrafting, skiing, hiking, climbing, and rowing, with no motorized transportation. ⏱️ The entire journey took 6 months to complete, from March to September, allowing the couple to experience the dramatic seasonal changes of the northern wilderness. 🏔️ During their trek, they crossed some of North America's most challenging terrain, including the Coast Mountains, the Yukon Territory, and the Brooks Range, while surviving encounters with bears and extreme weather conditions.