Polar Dream: The First Solo Expedition by a Woman and Her Dog to the Magnetic North Pole [Paperback]

Helen Thayer (Author), Sir Edmund Hillary (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 16, 2002

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 A new epilogue, maps, and many previously unpublished expedition photographs are new to this second edition. "A page-turner.... Fully captures the drama of what was a remarkable achievement." — The Washington Times

Editorial Reviews

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: NewSage Press; 2nd edition (September 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939165457
• ISBN-13: 978-0939165452
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Travel > United States > Washington > Mount St. Helens
  • #11 in Books > Travel > Specialty Travel > Solo Travel
  • #15 in Books > Travel > Polar Regions > Arctic

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Real Life Story Gave Me Back My Life November 23, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Without a snowmobile, dog team or resupply, Helen Thayer walked and skied alone to the Magnetic North Pole with her Eskimo dog Charlie. This true story of the trust that bonded woman and canine companion together is a classic. Frostbite, storms, broken sea ice, a tent fire, near starvation, and polar bears, never deterred this amazing five-feet-three-inch, 50 year old woman from her goal. A recent shattering crisis in my life left me without hope until a friend gave me this book. It changed my life, enabling me to set a goal, look ahead with optimism and never give up just as Helen Thayer did in her quest to reach the M.N.Pole. Her writing style is fast moving and delightfully descriptive and portrays a humble down to earth individual who absolutely adores her Charlie who saved her life from a polar bear. The writing style makes you feel as if you are right there traveling with Helen and Charlie. This second edition has many more photos than the first and the updated first chapter and the new Epilogue enhance an already great book. A definite must read!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't believe she did the whole thing! August 16, 2004

By Tom Bruce

Format:Paperback

I am a big fan of stories of artic 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 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 trimph of the human spirit and the bonding of a dog and companion. What a terrific book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Explorer and Her Dog July 29, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

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

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Described in vivid, engaging detail February 8, 2003

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Overcome,Never Quit, and Win January 8, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I first read this book in a German translation and then attended a lecture in New York by Helen Thayer, the author. Because of her amazing world wide adventures from the Polar Regions, to the deserts and the Amazon rain forest I expected someone six-feet tall. Instead I listened as this five-feet-three-inch diminutive dynamo enthralled her audience with her solo walk to the magnetic North Pole at 50 years old and her subsequent adventures including a trek of almost 1,500 miles across the Gobi desert last year at 63 years old.
Polar Dream, the story of her solo walk to the magnetic North Pole with her Inuit dog Charlie is invigorating, with a down to earth humble look at life.
Charlie is loyaly devoted to Helen and saves her life from a polar bear. Polar Dream has been available for ten years. The first edition was excellent and the second edtion is even better with many more photos. I bought 14 books in English, 4 books in German, and one in Dutch for Christmas presents and all recipients are inspired and can't wait for Thayer's next book.
The fast moving, highly descriptive story is sentitive and not afraid to expose vulnerable inner thoughts and feelings.
This is a great book for men and women as proven by my Christmas gift list.
And kudos to wonderful Charlie, Helen's devoted dog-assitant and life saver on the journey.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story June 13, 2008

By Jen Gosnell

Format:Paperback

I have not actually read this book, but today I listened to the author present the story in person while showing some of the pictures that she took during the journey. It is nothing short of remarkable to witness the sheer determination that made her success possible.

Of course, determination was less than half the battle. Thayer explained that it took her two years of meticulous planning and rigorous training to prepare for every possible contingency she might encounter on the journey. Clearly she could not have hoped to succeed without such detailed and thoughtful preparation.

This story certainly inspired my respect and admiration, not only for the power of the mind to carry us beyond perceived limitations, but also in response to the human-canine connection which was pivotal to the successful completion of the journey. It is heartwarming to hear of the bond that developed between Thayer and Charlie as one sustained the other through the various hardships they encountered.