Title: Kristina’s Cache: A Memoir of Adventure and Survival in Alaska
Author: Kristina Ahlnäs
Publisher: ‎Olympus Story House
ISBN: 978-1963851021
Pages: 410
Genre: Memoir
Reviewed by: Ephantus M.

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Kristina Ahlnäs’ Kristina’s Cache: A Memoir of Adventure and Survival in Alaska is a meticulously written memoir that recalls selected recollections from her 33-year stay in Alaska from 1969 to 2002.

In spite of much skepticism from friends and family in Sweden and Finland, Kristina, as an oceanographer, was determined to move to Alaska to start afresh. Not even the offer of a 5-year contract and a pay increase from her employer could persuade her otherwise. Her daring action not only opened a new career path, but it also led to breathtaking experiences like skiing at Alyeska and exploring Eskimo Land. But Alaska’s harsh winters posed a serious problem for her – temperatures would drop as low as -44F, pipes would freeze, leaving her without water for months, and her car would often fail to start. Regretfully, her $200-a-month apartment’s roof would start to leak as the weather changed, making her stay much more unpleasant.

As she would come to discover, radio communication was crucial in Alaska because a large number of people lived “beyond the roads well-traveled,” either without access to telephones or mail or with limited road traffic. She was no exception, seeking comfort on her radio when alone. The radio, however, failed to convey to its listeners every incident, such as the swooping appearance of a UFO-like object in the sky, which she shockingly witnessed one evening while going back home from work.

This story is the epitome of courage, fortitude, and agility. There are high-stakes situations in almost every chapter that the author must resolve or risk wearing her patience thin. Remarkably, these challenges bring her closer to her dreams, which include building a cabin for herself, rather than driving her back to where she came from. Her perseverance and never-say-die attitude are highly motivating. As seen in a subsequent chapter, she is a strong-willed person who is admirable since she accomplishes a task despite having broken equipment and inexperienced workers. She also manages to achieve the seemingly insurmountable after the bank refuses to grant her a loan for the purchase of a new property.

Kristina’s story made me look at my own challenges with new eyes. Her comprehensive knowledge and enthusiasm in Alaska’s history, notably America’s acquisition of the state from Russia in 1867, is impressive. Despite being a memoir, she includes conversations with other individuals which gives the narrative more depth and authenticity while still being unique. Through her charming and evocative writing style, she has skillfully turned Kristina’s Cache: A Memoir of Adventure and Survival in Alaska into a fun read that anybody with an interest in science, culture, or outdoor adventure should not miss. It is an ode to the power of the human spirit and a love letter to the Alaskan wilderness.