Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #271470 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-01
• Released on: 2002-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 254 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In March 1988, Thayer, a 50-year-old New Zealander, set out from Resolute, NW Territories, to ski to the North Magnetic Pole, located just south of King Christian Island; she pulled her supplies (160 lbs.) on a sled. Three days before departure, a hunter gave her a black husky, Charlie, as protection against polar bears. The animal proved to be an ideal companion, saving her life and her sanity. It was a grueling journey: woman and dog fought off polar bears, barely escaped drowning, survived storms. Near the end, a gale blew away most of Thayer's food supplies; her daily ration during the final week was a handful of walnuts and a pint of water. After 364 miles, 27 days, Thayer and Charlie were picked up by plane on Melena Island--mission accomplished. This is an exciting story of human endurance and of a remarkable animal. Photos. First serial to Cosmopolitan; author tour (with dog).
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
In 1988, 50-year-old Thayer became the first woman to ski alone to the North Pole. In this account, she tells of pulling all her food and gear on a sled, without the use food drops. She is accompanied only by her dog, Charlie, who provides protection against polar bears. Charlie not only saves her life but shows trusting companionship and heartwarming love. Thayer describes lyrically yet unromantically the dreamlike quality of the Arctic landscape, with its fluctuating ice conditions and eerie, depth perception-skewing atmosphere. Recounting terrifying encounters with polar bears and ferocious icy storms, she tells a gripping tale of courage and determination. She faces severe frostbite, winds, dehydration, frozen clothing, loneliness, and shifting ice with gentle humor, remarkable patience, and welcome modesty. Readers will be enthralled and inspired. Recommended for public libraries.
- Kathy Ruffle, Coll. of New Caledonia Lib., Prince George, B.C.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ingram
This first-person account of a woman's grueling 27-day odyssey, trekking 345 miles across the Northern ice cap with her dog, is a both a remarkable adventure story and a testament to the intense bond of love and trust that developed between Thayer and Charlie, her beloved husky. 8-page photo insert.

Customer Reviews

I can't believe she did the whole thing!
I am a big fan of stories of arctic adventure, and this is one of the best. In this day of snow mobiles and ATVs, we have a woman at 50 -- author Helen Thayer -- setting out to walk to the magnectic north pole, pulling her own sled and accompanied by an Inuit dog she had only known for a couple of days. On her first day out, she suffers such terrible frostbite of her fingers they become almost useless. (I would have called it quits right there.) Then come polar bears -- one of the world's most deadliest creatures. And they keep on coming. Some curious, some life-threatening. But, she continues on her amazing journey not for fame or fortune, but for scientific information for her program Adventure Classroom. There are some fantastic photos included and very helpful maps. Her writing style is breezy and compelling. It's triumph of the human spirit and the bonding of a dog and companion. What a terrific book.

An Explorer and Her Dog
An extraordinary true story of courage, determination and fortitude. Every chapter not only contains the wow factor but is an illustration of what the human spirit is capable of. Thayer is an accomplished writer who keeps the reader wanting more. An incredible story of a woman and her faithful dog Charlie, as they endure the hardships of polar travel on foot together with no dog teams or snowmobiles or resupply.
Sue White
Edmonton, Canada

Described in vivid, engaging detail
Polar Dream is the personal memoir of Helen Thayer, the first woman (and the oldest person at age 50) to travel on foot, unresupplied, to the magnetic North Pole. Her harrowing trek on skis for 27 days, aided only by a dog trained to warn her of approaching bears, is described in vivid, engaging detail, as are her seven encounters with polar bears which she survived through skill, luck and quick thinking. Black-and-white photographs, including ones taken by the author during her trek, enhanced a narrative of profound insights into the beauty and wildness of the arctic. Readers who appreciate true life adventure will enjoy the excitement and wonder of Helen Thayer's Polar Dream.