The Roof of the Arctic group pose for a photo next to whale jaws. From left to right are Bj&

The Roof of the Arctic group pose for a photo next to whale jaws. From left to right are Bj&

Couple completes first fat bike journey from Point Hope to Utqiagvik

HOMER — In the past 10 years since fat bikes have become popular for riding on beaches and snow in Alaska, people have regularly ridden them from Anchor Point to Homer or into the snowy backcountry of the Caribou Hills. On Saturday, Homer couple Kim McNett and Bjørn Olson finished taking their fat bikes where no one has ever ridden before, about 450 miles in a 24-day trip from Point Hope to Utqiagvik, much of it on Arctic beaches.

On what Olson calls The Roof of the Arctic trip, they used pack rafts to make river and bay crossings, but the bikes with wide tires that can ride on sand and softer snow proved perfect for traveling the barrier island beaches of the northwest Arctic coast.

“It was by far the most incredible trip I’ve done,” Olson said on Monday after returning to Homer. “This one had so many elements wrapped together — one of them this uncertainty it might not be possible.”

Read the rest of the story here.

248;rn Olson, Alayne Tetor, Kim McNett and Daniel Countiss. (Photo courtesy Bj&

248;rn Olson, Alayne Tetor, Kim McNett and Daniel Countiss. (Photo courtesy Bj&

Kim McNett paddling by the Skull Cliffs south of Barrow. (Photo courtesy Bj&

Kim McNett paddling by the Skull Cliffs south of Barrow. (Photo courtesy Bj&

248;rn Olson)

248;rn Olson)

Kim McNett looks at a stretch of beach that has run out. (Photo courtesy Bj&

Kim McNett looks at a stretch of beach that has run out. (Photo courtesy Bj&

248;rn Olson)

248;rn Olson)

The group heads north on a firm beach — perfect riding conditions for fat bikes. (Photo courtesy Bj&

The group heads north on a firm beach — perfect riding conditions for fat bikes. (Photo courtesy Bj&

248;rn Olson)

248;rn Olson)

Daniel Countiss pauses before heading down a hill. (Photo courtesy Bj&

Daniel Countiss pauses before heading down a hill. (Photo courtesy Bj&

248;rn Olson)

248;rn Olson)

Kim McNett pushes her fat bike up a hill on the up-and-over portion in the Lisburne Hills. (Photo courtesy Bj&

Kim McNett pushes her fat bike up a hill on the up-and-over portion in the Lisburne Hills. (Photo courtesy Bj&

248;rn Olson)

248;rn Olson)

The group’s campsite along the coast. They used floorless, lightweight nylon tents with mosquito netting around the bottom. (Photo courtesy Bj&

The group’s campsite along the coast. They used floorless, lightweight nylon tents with mosquito netting around the bottom. (Photo courtesy Bj&

248;rn Olson)

248;rn Olson)

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast for the week of April 15

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Rep. Sara Hannan (right) offers an overview of this year’s legislative session to date as Rep. Andi Story and Sen. Jesse Kiehl listen during a town hall by Juneau’s delegation on Thursday evening at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Multitude of education issues, budget, PFD among top areas of focus at legislative town hall

Juneau’s three Democratic lawmakers reassert support of more school funding, ensuring LGBTQ+ rights.

Rosemary Ahtuangaruak, mayor of the Inupiaq village of Nuiqsut, at the area where a road to the Willow project will be built in the North Slope of Alaska, March 23, 2023. The Interior Department said it will not permit construction of a 211-mile road through the park, which a mining company wanted for access to copper deposits. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)
Biden shields millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness from drilling and mining

The Biden administration expanded federal protections across millions of acres of Alaskan… Continue reading

Allison Gornik plays the lead role of Alice during a rehearsal Saturday of Juneau Dance Theatre’s production of “Alice in Wonderland,” which will be staged at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé for three days starting Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An ‘Alice in Wonderland’ that requires quick thinking on and off your feet

Ballet that Juneau Dance Theatre calls its most elaborate production ever opens Friday at JDHS.

Caribou cross through Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in their 2012 spring migration. A 211-mile industrial road that the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority wants to build would pass through Gates of the Arctic and other areas used by the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, one of the largest in North America. Supporters, including many Alaska political leaders, say the road would provide important economic benefits. Opponents say it would have unacceptable effects on the caribou. (Photo by Zak Richter/National Park Service)
Alaska’s U.S. senators say pending decisions on Ambler road and NPR-A are illegal

Expected decisions by Biden administration oppose mining road, support more North Slope protections.

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 13. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska House members propose constitutional amendment to allow public money for private schools

After a court ruling that overturned a key part of Alaska’s education… Continue reading

Danielle Brubaker shops for homeschool materials at the IDEA Homeschool Curriculum Fair in Anchorage on Thursday. A court ruling struck down the part of Alaska law that allows correspondence school families to receive money for such purchases. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Lawmakers to wait on Alaska Supreme Court as families reel in wake of correspondence ruling

Cash allotments are ‘make or break’ for some families, others plan to limit spending.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, April 17, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Newly elected tribal leaders are sworn in during the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s 89th annual Tribal Assembly on Thursday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Photo courtesy of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska)
New council leaders, citizen of year, emerging leader elected at 89th Tribal Assembly

Tlingit and Haida President Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson elected unopposed to sixth two-year term.

Most Read