Zone 35-36-37

Denali region was the A-plan.

The A-plan started with a couple circles on the map, and then I linked the circles all together to make a journey.

At this time, Denali region is an area on the middle of the map of Alaska,

Most of the area is a National Park where information is easy to get and plan can be well prepared before. But Denali region is beyond what you can imagine, beyond your preparation, beyond your expectation, beyond human.

Described as wild and unique is not enough.

We approached by a long highway from Fairbanks. We spent the night just at the boundary of the Denali Range, a couple of feet away.

Here, I am growing a feeling, the same one I’m living with since I started this journey: a mix of excitation and anxiety.

To access the area, there are multiples options:

A Caribou will probably come from the North side, breaking over the Alaskan tundra, following creek, climbing over rolling hills, boulders and others natural obstacles.

A mountain goat can probably try the South side, trying a snow-free passage throughout steep granite mountain and glacier moraine.

We follow the human corridor: gate, visitor centre, bus.

It’s 3pm, The US National Denali Park Maps said we are in Zone 37 and we will enter “a wilderness, an uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region”

In fact, we are beyond that.

I’m disoriented, my human feelings do not work here. Now I’m not looking for a trail or a sign- but a path. A path throughout dramatic features and colours.

It takes me a day to find the strategy to move in.

Accepting that modern tools and skills are not efficient here.

I need to listen to find the melody of a running creek.

I need to look to find a passable break in the horizon.

I need to predict what I will face after the next corner.

I need to sense.

There is unlimited and multiple controversial debates about the spirit of nature, and I won’t bring extra words to it.

But I will just repeat to you, here I need to sense.