April 2004

TOPIC:  Record-breaking arctic explorer, Pam Flowers, will share slides and stories from her solo 2,500-mile dog mushing expedition across the arctic from Barrow, Alaska to Repulse Bay, Canada; the longest solo dog sled journey by a woman in recorded history.

WHEN:  Tuesday, April 20

TIME:  7:00 pm Refreshments
TIME:  7:30 pm Program

WHERE:  Bolz Auditorium, Meriter Hospital
WHERE:  124 S Brooks St., Madison

PARKING:  Meriter Hospital paid parking ramp across the street, on the street, or Lot 51 north of Regent and Mills St.

PRE-MEETING DINNER:  You are invited to join Madison Audubon board members and friends at the pre-program dinner with our speaker at Paisan's Restaurant beginning at 5:15.

QUESTIONS?:  Please call the MAS office at (608)255-2473.

Pam Flowers set out alone and unsponsored with an eight-dog team in an attempt to cross the frozen roof of the world. Her goal was to follow the route of Knud Rasmussen's portion of the 1923-1924 Fifth Thule Expedition. Hear about intense blizzards that kept her stranded for days, melting pack ice literally breaking up beneath her and the team, a terrifying run-in with polar bears and more. Learn about dog mushing and the arctic, how she prepared for this amazing expedition and met the generous people who helped her when all hope was lost.

Pam Flowers is a registered respiratory therapist who currently earns her living public speaking and writing. In 1996, Pam became the 14th recipient of the Gold Medal from the Society of Woman Geographers, following in the footsteps of Amelia Earhart, Margaret Mead, and Jane Goodall. In 1991, Pam was named "Outsider of the Year" by Outside magazine.

She has participated in nine Arctic expeditions, seven by dog team and two by snowmachine. Pam has completed the 1,049 mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race, reached the Magnetic North Pole three times, traveled north over the frozen Arctic Ocean farther north than any other solo woman and completed the longest solo dog sled journey on record by a woman.

Pam is the author of Hug a Husky and, along with Ann Dixon, is the co-author of Alone Across the Arctic: One Woman's Epic Journey by Dog Team and Big Enough Anna: The Little Sled Dog Who Braved the Arctic. She has written many magazine articles including articles for Fur, Fish, & Game and Dog World magazines. She also has produced two documentary videos and publishes the Polar Expedition Newsletter. Her books will be available for sale at the talk. Her next goal is to hike the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail.

This program is co-sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Wildlife Ecology.