Outside Adventure Grants 1998
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A spectacular view en route
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Contact! After more than two weeks in the backcountry, the expedition team has reached the remote Inuit settlement of Broughton Island and re-established communications with the outside world. We’re still awaiting details, but have confirmation that they made it across Auyuittuq National Park. During a brief phone
conversation, they described mind-boggling granite cliffs and spires, icy river crossings, and mountain-size glaciers.
With the backcountry stretch behind them, their local expedition teammate Tommy has hitched a ride on a puddle jumper back to his home to Pangnirtung. From all accounts he was a great addition to the team and his presence is missed. The 400 or so inhabitants of Broughton have provided a warm welcome and the team even managed to find some familiar faces — Jamie
and Julia. For those who are new to the expedition, Jamie and Julia are two Inuit who had originally planned to trek across the island with the team, but at the last minute decided that they weren’t up to the heavy loads and the extended time in the field. Del says that she thinks Julia regrets her decision not to go.
We’ll get the full story through the words of the team next week. Log on then to find out what happened during the team’s adventures through the wilds of Baffin Island.
To follow the expedition, and learn more about the team's training and final days in Pangnirtung, read the team's proposal and check out their journal entries. Expedition dispatches will be posted as soon as we receive them from the field. Communication from the Arctic is spotty at
best, however, so don't be alarmed if the dispatches are delayed.
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The Pangnirtung area
of Baffin Island
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For those new to the expedition, the Jacksons are the first team of siblings ever to win an Outside Adventure Grant. As the only year-round residents of remote Green's Island, the Jacksons are home-schooled by Mom — Karen — and live in a beautiful, but rustic, house without central heating or running water. Not surprising, this experience has forged
an incredibly self-reliant group of kids. "The Jacksons are a truly unique team," says Outside Adventure Grants Director John Alderman. "They have all the traits needed to become great explorers: creativity, physical and mental ability, high-energy, and, importantly, a sense of humor.
This year's expedition is overseen by a team of instructors from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) who have helped train the team and are accompanying them on Baffin Island.
The Outside Adventure Grants is a national experiential education program that introduces exploration into the lives of kids between the ages of 12 and 17. Aspiring explorers are invited to submit a proposal for the expedition of their dreams. A panel of adult explorers, including Kitty Calhoun, one of the world's top mountaineers, select the winning team based on
how well their proposal combines exploration, adventure, originality, conservation, and potential for success. The Adventure Grants program, along with teacher guides distributed to over 1,000 schools, help kids everywhere become exposed to the wonder and boundless opportunities available in the world outside.
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