postcards from alaska part V, if anyone still really cares...

geeez, where the HELL have i been?

well, i actually shouldn't even be here now i have so much work to do but i feel bad not finishing this section.

so, these young men gave demonstrations of some of the athletic events they compete in in the arctic winter games. they represent the activities that natives participated in during the long winters to stay in shape while they were holed up waiting for the spring to go out and hunt.

they started with a reach where a ball is hung from a pole and they raised and balanced themselves on one hand and touched the ball. the ball is raised after each turn until only one person is left to touch it.


this is a one-legged reach where they hold one foot with the opposite hand and raise themselves up on the other hand and kick the ball without letting your foot go




this is the two footed leap. you could get as big a run start as you needed to leap up with both legs together and land with them together


it was amazing. and they did them several times. i think i took about 40-50 pictures of these guys. i couldn't imagine how flexible you'd have to be and what strength you would need in your torso to do these. i was so impressed. and then i made the mistake of telling my trainer about it...