Available June 17, 2025
Overview
This book tells the behind-the-scenes story of how I got into, and ultimately fell out of, a truncated career in field-based snow and ice research in Canada’s arctic and alpine environments.
I take you through the ups and downs of my field research adventures in snow and ice science: living in tents on and adjacent to high Arctic glaciers and in the rugged Coast Mountains, wading thigh deep through wet snow, blowing my knees out repeatedly, almost being washed away by raging meltwater rivers. All while avoiding grizzly and polar bears. These adventures were the core of being a field-based scientist, a necessity for the collection of much-needed remote data on environmental change and it’s impact on water related issues in these underrepresented areas.
I weave the role of women in science into my story, featuring historic and present-day women in exploration, such as Philadelphians Mary Schäffer Warren and Mary Vaux, and Canadian Phyllis Munday. I write about how academia and being a woman in science took ended up taking its toll on me, precipitating a mental health crisis that ultimately ended my research career and pushed me into a writing career.
Where to buy
Pre-order now from your local independent bookshop, or in the US from Bookshop.org.
Or order directly from University of Alberta Press once the book is released:
If you don’t have access to a local Bookstore, you can also order it from Indigo or Amazon:
