The Simple Wild: A Novel

Alaska, the largest state in the contiguous United States, is known for its awe-inspiring natural beauty. Considered one of the last remaining wildernesses on Earth, Alaska encompasses approximately 663,000 square miles, is home to the continent’s highest peak, Denali, and features several national parks. Despite its size, Alaska is sparsely populated as a diverse array of ecosystems, mountain ranges, tundra, dense woodlands, fjords, and glaciers make it a difficult place for humans to live. The rugged terrain and changeable weather make creating and sustaining reliable ground transportation challenging. From long, brutal winters with temperatures well below freezing to brief, mild summers with almost 24-hour daylight in some regions, the weather and the land create a constantly evolving environment that demands resilience and adaptability from those living there.

As a result of the unique infrastructural challenges the state faces, Alaskans have become reliant on flying for transportation. While highways connect Alaska’s main population centers like Anchorage, most northern and interior regions are unreachable by vehicles. Additionally, Alaska’s permafrost-covered terrain makes building and upkeeping roads costly and challenging. Since 82% of Alaskan communities are accessible only by plane, air transportation has become essential to Alaskan life. In addition to moving people, planes provide necessary services and healthcare and maintain links to the outside world. Bush planes, small aircraft designed for flying in difficult environments that can land on lakes, rivers, mountains, and small airstrips, are vital for isolated communities. They provide access to healthcare, deliver supplies, and facilitate key industries such as tourism, fishing, and oil exploration.

Planes are vital to Alaska's economy, supporting industries like mining and fishing and transporting personnel and equipment. Tourism also heavily relies on air travel, with planes offering access to wilderness areas and remote lodges. For many Alaskans, flying is more than a convenience; it is a necessary part of the state’s culture. The aviation industry in Alaska is the largest in the US, providing jobs for pilots and airport workers. Pilots in Alaska frequently face extreme weather conditions and difficult terrain, necessitating tremendous skill and bravery.

Aside from their practical value, planes represent the spirit of adventure and resilience that defines life in Alaska. They exemplify the resourcefulness and determination required to flourish in such a challenging environment. The emphasis on air transport has created a distinct aviation culture in Alaska, where people regard pilots as local heroes, and flying is a part of the state's character. The state's reliance on air travel demonstrates its people's adaptation and resilience, as well as the important role of aviation in connecting and supporting communities in one of the world's most isolated and beautiful areas (Sobel, Zoë, and Angel Philip. “Commercial Aviation Is Essential to Life in Alaska. It’s Also Home to a Growing Share of the Country’s Deadly Crashes.” Alaska Public Media, 18 Jun 2021).