Many of the workers in these plants are female, a lot of them college students from all across the country, and others are young local people. My invitation to women is in consideration of the lack of a gender balance across the state, especially in the summer. This really is not a warm place for big-headed types who think that they want to conquer nature or go back to the wild. If you do go to Alaska for this experience, or any other trip, do not expect to see polar bears or igloos. But you should be prepared to fall in love with the place.
Many seasonal workers make the trip up there and never come back.
Joe Nelson Nelson is an American Indian studies graduate student.