1. The Arctic Refuge in Alaska, where John Dunne spent the summer of 1999, is an enormous wild area, nearly the size of South Carolina. It's important to protect such wilderness for its own value, as well as for its wildlife habitat. But smaller wild places are also valuable, from large national forests to state parks, even neighborhood green spaces. Can you think of a place in your neighborhood or nearby that contains some wild qualities? What wildness or wildlife do you see when you visit there? Do you think this place will remain the same 20 years from now? Why or why not?
2. During two weeks in July on his arctic journey, John Dunne saw no other humans. What's the longest period of time you've spent all by yourself? How did you spend it? How did that time alone make you feel?
3. John Dunne kept a journal during his adventure. He did not write in it every day and some days were fairly uneventful, yet he wrote about those days, as well. However, the collective notes recreate an important time in his life, and allow us -- and John -- a glimpse at his innermost thoughts. Have you tried keeping a journal? If so, what have you learned about yourself, your friends or your surroundings?
4. On more than one occasion, John got so wrapped up in his work that hours went by. "I started photographing [at 7:30 am] and didn't stop until 9 p.m." What sorts of things do you love doing so much that you can spend hours doing it? Describe a time when you got so absorbed in what you were doing that you were surprised to see how much time had passed by.
5. John notes that wilderness
should exist for its own sake and not just so "people can come in here to hike or raft or photograph." Do you agree or disagree? Explain why.
6. Have you ever visited a wilderness area? Can you name one that is in your state?
7. Almost all of the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge is already open to oil development, save the caribou calving grounds of the Arctic Refuge. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that, if oil is found under the fragile coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge, it would feed the U.S. oil appetite for just 90 days. Do you think oil companies should be allowed to drill for oil there? Why or why not?
