Want to know who started pushing the envelope in the early 1950's?
Want to know why there are so many hard-core Alaska trekkers?
Want to know how pack-rafting got its start?
Want to read amazing stories of long hikes, often solo, with minimal gear, through uncharted country?

At the age of 70, on a 240 mile 25 day solo trip in the Arctic, Dick Griffith wrote

"I find my physical strength has not diminished very much with old age. I am concerned if I can always handle the mental part of the Arctic...Sometimes I am nonchalant about an incident that should require focus. Maybe that's good and maybe not so good. I vacillate from extreme caution to carelessness. If I were cautious I would not be out here but home with my peer group having heart attacks and prostate operations."

Canyons and Ice, by Kaylene Johnson, chronicling the trips of Dick Griffith, is a darn good read.

Edited by greg23 on 09/28/2012 14:34:39 MDT.

Thanks Greg. Looks like a must read. I remember Roman Dial mentioning Dick's early packrafting efforts in the AMWC. It'll be nice to learn more about this pioneer.