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Polar Dream: The First Solo Expedition by a Woman and Her Dog to the Magnetic North Pole
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In 1988, at the age of 50, Helen Thayer became the first woman in the world to travel on foot to the magnetic North Pole, one of the world's most remote and dangerous regions. Her only companion was Charlie, her loyal husky, who was integral to her survival. Polar Dream is the story of their heroic trek and extraordinary relationship as they faced polar bears, unimaginable cold, and a storm that destroyed most of their supplies and food. A new epilogue, maps, and many previously unpublished expedition photographs are new to this second edition. Published by New Sage Press. US$15 Paperback "A page-turner.... Fully captures the drama of what was a remarkable achievement." — The Washington Times  
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Three Among the Wolves: A year of Friendship with Wolves in the Wild
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In the summer of 1994, Helen Thayer and her husband Bill, hiked above the Arctic Circle in the Canadian Yukon Territory to live for six months one hundred feet from a wolf den to observe and document their daily lives. They returned in the winter months to interact with and document the lives of wolves and polar bears on the frozen polar sea and the vast Mackenzie Delta in Canada's frozen north. This remarkable book is a result of those unique experiences. The key to Thayer's acceptance was Charlie, the author's Inuit dog of magnetic North Pole fame. Following Charlie's lead the Thayers' discover the complexities of wolf family structure, including the alpha male and female, care of the pups, hunting and survival skills. This book is both a natural history of wolves and adventure tale. Far from being the viscous killers of popular imagining, the Thayer's found that wolves form loving family bonds in a world that offers them neither safety nor understanding. Published by Sasquatch Books. US$19 Paperback Finalist at the Banff National Book Festival 2005.
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Walking the Gobi: A 1600-Mile Trek Across a Desert of Hope and Despair
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Helen Thayer 63 and Bill Thayer 74, a two person husband and wife team, became the first man and woman to walk the entire length of almost 1,500 miles, east to west of the Mongolian Gobi Desert. Violent Siberian winds swept across the desert creating sand storms of choking, black dust and yellow sand that blocked out the sun, stopping everything in their path. For seven life threatening days the two were down to quarter rations while they desparetly searched for water in heat up to 126 degrees. At one point they were arrested and interrogated by border guards; scorpions were their daily companions. This is a story of courage, perseverance and the ability to rise above adversity. It is also a story of the Thayers' close interaction with the Gobi Desert Nomads who still live the centuries old lifestyle of their ancestors. The Thayers shared family gers, ate Nomad food and helped herd animals. They milked camels, goats and horses and leaned first hand desert shamanism medicine. Helen says, "I first heard of the Gobi as a 13 year old growing up in New Zealand. Then the Gobi was as far away as the moon; now at 63 the dream has come full circle." US$24 Hardcover |