ClimbRunRide

Yes, they are very friendly. They ask for your name and they'll remember it for the rest of the time you spend in their village. They were not very interested in our project. For most inuits, hiking in the open Tundra in summer is just something stupid done only by white poeple. However they were very interested in knowing if and where we saw animals, especially Caribou. And yes, because they hunt them.

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Some more information because this is so far up: It's not all fun and nice. These villages are also a sad place to be. Most people seem to spend most their money on coca cola (4-5$/can) and cigarettes. That is obviously not true for everyone but we spent some time in the shops to warm up and that seems to be all they ever buy. Also there is not too much to do and the villages do not exactly look well organized or tidy. The thing I cannot wrap my head around is the lack of sense for business. There would be great opportunities to launch homestay-like tourism operations in these places (flights from Anchorage and Fairbanks to the villages are surprisingly cheap, so...). Also people do not seem to import food themselfes but instead pay the ridiculous prices in the shops. Shipping one lb from Fairbanks to Anaktuvuk Pass is 0.60$, so why not import your coca cola yourself in big quantities from Walmart in Fairbanks instead of paying 40$ for a 10 can pack? I don't get it.

I have a regular job. Actually, I am still studying (Engineering Grad student) and work part time as a software Engineer. There is not much money to be made with outdoor sports unless you free solo Eiger North Face in under 3 hours.

Only way to make money in Europe is to give presentations. In the US writing books also kinda works but for me it's easier to just work sometimes and then follow my dreams as a hobby. I am sponsored, I am in the Patagonia Pro Team but that is better than it sounds (no cash, just gear). I am certainly not wealthy. It's a lifestyle you choose. You cut on everything other than your passion. I never owned a car for example. Also, living in mainland Europe I don't have student loans to pay off which is great.

Yes plenty of things. A creepy/funny moment was in the eastern Brooks Range far far away from anything and after not seeing any human for 20 days (since we started) there was a guy with a giant backpack and a dog who hiked right past us in a small valley. We shouted at him and waved but he did not react. He just hiked on as if we were not there...

Not very. Those rivers are very loud. Also us swearing when crossing them was loud. But yes sure, at times it was pretty quiet. But if you want to experience quiet places you should rather go to the desert or to areas covered in fresh snow.

Yes. We hiked "wet" which means we just walked through creeks and rivers without giving a damn. Mostly because there is no other good option. But if you do this with heavy water-proof shoes, that means you'll have a small lake in them all day long. With running shoes at least they drain. Also they are light.