COAST-X has landed in Bethel!

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We’ve officially landed in Bethel, Alaska and COAST-X 2026 is underway!

Touching down just after noon today after a smooth run out of Anchorage on Alaska Airlines, we were ready to hit the ground running. And for once, travel logistics were on our side. Every single checked bag made it. A small miracle and a great way to start.

By early afternoon, things were already moving fast. We checked into our rental ahead of schedule, regrouped, and by 2 PM had tracked down all of our cargo at Alaska Airlines. From there, it was straight into the heart of what makes this kind of expedition possible...community support.

We stopped in to connect with our friends and collaborators from the NSF-Funded Permafrost Grown project, the Meyers, who are generously helping us stage sleds and gear here in Bethel. Their support is a big part of what makes this launch possible.

Next stop was Everts Air Cargo. By 4 PM, we had our machines, sleds, and a stack of beautiful, shiny Zarges cases in hand, gear that looks pristine now but won’t stay that way for long for sure. Over the next few weeks, they’ll earn every scratch and dent.

Now it’s 8 PM and the pace is finally slowing down for the day. We've been running on adrenal the last few hours given the 4 AM wake up time this morning. Dinner is simple, cheesy ravioli and Texas toast, but it hits the spot after a full day of logistics, lifting, planning, and getting some ants out the pants.

Tomorrow we shift into full prep mode with fuel, propane, and initial sled packing. Then it’s time to dial in the sleds and get everything trail ready for our planned departure on Saturday morning.

Bethel is our launching off point and we feel really good about that!







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