Ocean ice
Sleeping outside with no tents for two months. ?? Yes this is how it is done in Point Hope, during whaling. This is hard core living, hunting at the maximum extreme limits of what man can endure.
Point Hope is the oldest of all villages above the arctic circle, they are the only village that does everything, (concerning whaling) using the old traditional manners and customs. Almost all villages in Alaska were:
founded by the people(s) of Point Hope. Greenland was founded by the very same Inupiaq Peoples of Point Hope. . = Tikigaq – Tigara on very old maps. “tigara” means ‘bent index finger’, much like Cape cod, but upside down. Believe it or not, Just outside of the village a very short distance is a mound of land, not very high, but noticable from the flat tundra, This place is known as: (and it is marked on maps as such), .. .. ‘Beacon Hill’. I grew up on Beacon Hill as a young child, Joy Street, Phillips Street, Ridgeway Lane. The yankee whalers no doubt gave that ‘mound’ its distinctive name. Who else could have possibly known about that name up here? but now, through what is commonly refered to as ‘global warming’ is taking it’s toll on the tundra up here, that mound or high spot of land is very noticably lower than it once was, the perma frost is melting, and it is very noticable now in the land surrounding the village, Point Hope is soon to become an island. Cut off 
from the main – land mass. The state of Alaska now has a surplus fund of 22 billion dollars. Gov. Palin says that her main point of focus, is these coastal villages and the need to move them, protect them from the elements of the destruction of the water, erosion, waves that are pounding this fragile tundra, and ripping it apart. Living out on the ocean ice is the most wonderful world, of freedom. NO WORLDLY CARES or concerns. Just living and enjoying life. It saddens me that it has to end every year. A most wonderful world full of happy people a community that works together, hunts together, celebrates and plays together and at times .. .. .(sob) .. Mourns together.. .. as one big family full of love and concern for each other. The desolate, frigid, unforgiving weather, of the Arctic is fascinating for me. There is just no other place on this entire planet that I would prefer to live. Home Sweet Frozen Home in sub zero temps is just so refreshing, the cold is healthy, the pristine clean air, the enviroment, white, frozen – home ! Being exposed to this bright blinding sunlight 24 hours every day is amazing and something to behold and experience. As long as you stay outside in that blinding sunlight you become solar powered. It is very easy to stay awake and alert for 3 days or longer. when you are tired, just lean back on that sled (photo above) and rest for a few hours. That is all you need to become fully charged up again for another 3 days or longer, just a few hours of rest !
Each of these whaling camps is setup, some 1/2 – 3/4 of a mile apart from each other. A guantlet is set along the edge of the ice. the lead opening. In 2008 the whaling crews were all in position, waiting, no one was even aware that the ice cracked and broke and was getting very wide.. no one knew that they were all floating out to sea. stranded, with no way to get back to land fast ice. Barrow Search and Rescue flew down with a Rescue helipcopter and everyone was taken safely back to land fast ice. anything can happen out here at any time with no warning at all. The winds are vicious ! never ending strong North wind that bites and whips about lashing at any unexposed flesh. We have many tricks to keep warm out here. Dressing correctly is the main Issue at hand. Dirty clothes cannot keep you warm. Clean clothes, in many loose fitting layers, two T-shirts, two flannel shirts, a heavy sweater a hooded sweat shirt, a spring jacket and the final hunting parky keep your upper torso extremly warm throughout anytype of weather. A beaver hat for when that temp gets below 50 below. You are very warm and comfortable. The lower portion of the body is the same for each sex. after basic undergarments. a pair of gym shorts, then sweat pants, jeans, ski pants for the final layer. I had never ever experienced any type cold.. .. on my feet. Toast- STANDING on ocean ice 24 / 7 for weeks on end. Bunny boots are supreme adequate protection in any type of extreme weather. In fact your feet will be warm without socks even if you fall into that icy water. that water will be warm before your foot ever gets cold. Bunny boots are unsurpassed in protecting your feet. There are enough other things to worry about out here, your feet, need the ultimate in protection and warmth.
