Meeting the Wild

Before I moved to the Brooks Range, I thought I knew wild places.




But nothing prepared me for the tundra igniting in fiery reds and oranges, or for the punch of antioxidants packed into tiny Arctic blueberries.




I couldn’t believe it when I first saw hundreds of caribou migrating across snow-covered mountains… it’s like witnessing the land itself in motion.




I was already used to living off-grid and burning wood for heat, but here I discovered the peaceful satisfaction of loading a dogsled with spruce rounds, and and letting our Alaskan huskies haul the weight home to the front door.




Moments like these remind me how small I am — and how lucky I am to belong to this place.

Sean and I love to bring guests on Nature Walks through the boreal forest to meet the beings who live here with us — like the trees, berries, birds, and more.




One of our favorite sensory experiences to share during our Harvest of the Heart retreat is the smell of a plant called Labrador Tea, sometimes called “Tundra Tea.” We split a sprig in half so people can breathe in its distinctly arctic aroma — one that always reminds us of home.

We’ve learned so much about our (massive) “neighborhood” here in the Brooks Range. Sometimes called the Himalayas of the Arctic, these mountains hold the title of being the tallest anywhere in the world above the Arctic Circle.




Given that, folks are surprised to learn we only live at about 1,500 feet, surrounded by peaks that average around 5,000 feet. The tallest peak in the Brooks Range is Mt. Isto, topping out just shy of 9,000 feet. And while that might sound modest compared to other famous ranges, it hasn’t always been this way.




A few winters ago, we hosted a group of friends — one of whom was geologist who had been to the Brooks Range before on assignment. He shared this fascinating bit of history with us: Many millions of years ago, the Brooks Range towered at nearly twice its current height!




Below is an actual screenshot of his impromptu geological slideshow from that fateful evening in the Igloo — my mind was blown!

I later mentioned this fact to Jack, a local here in Wiseman who grew up in the village. He told me the old-timers and the Indigenous people who lived here for generations have long carried that same wisdom. Their ancestors passed down the knowledge that these mountains once stood much taller than they do today.




Imagine if we all extended that same level of presence to the places we live —whether that’s a rural community or a city block. Instead of just seeing “humans” and “everything else,” what if we saw humans, trees, mountains, birds, wildlife, insects, and even rocks… each with a name (and a history) worth learning?




I think research, stories from elders, and local field guides can help.




But mostly, I think presence simply requires curiosity, a willingness to slow down, and the joy of meeting the wild world around us.

If you’re feeling called to come see what we love so much in person, one spot opened up for our Sept. 24-28 Harvest of the Heart retreat… maybe you’ve been waiting for a sign to come visit? Yes — this means you could smell Tundra Tea in person!



And… we are excited to tell you we’ve launched another NEW retreat in 2026! It’s a cross country ski and yoga retreat March 11-15, 2026 called SKIWild. Check out all the details here.

Whether we’ll see you in the Brooks Range, or virtually via email, please know we’re grateful you take the time to read our love notes from the Arctic.


In light,
Mollie (and Sean)

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