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John Gaedeke

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In October of 2025, the Trump administration green lit the Ambler Road in Alaska, a proposed mining access road that would cut through 211 miles of pristine Alaskan wilderness in the Brooks Range, crossing over 3,000 waterways and could forever change access to subsistence resources in Northwest Alaska.

In collaboration with More Than Just Parks, the Dirtbag Diaries presents a two part story. Karmen Monigold and John Gaedeke each rely on the southern Brooks Range for their livelihood and have joined a grassroots effort to fight back against the Ambler Road. A pair of young conservationists, Robert Lester and Ben Kaden set out to walk the proposed Ambler Road and experience the wilderness first hand.

Listen now on Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts. (Link in bio)

Big high fives to our sponsors for The Diaries: @wildernesssociety, @obozfootwear, @goodr and @kodiakcakes

Produced by: @marco_gonzales14 and @fitzcahall

Artwork by: @waltronic

Featuring: @monigoldkarmen, @arcticjohnny, @robertjlester, @benskaden, @morethanjustparks, @willpattiz, @jimpattiz

Protect the Kobuk and Defend Brooks Range are groups that oppose the Ambler Road.

Ambler Road Comment Period: Open through Nov 2, 2026

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From Anchorage to Utqiagvik and Bethel to Yakutat, we’re proud to stand with this incredible coalition of 100+ leaders who know it’s time for change!

“JKT is honest, forthright, incredibly knowledgeable, and a proven leader.” - Bradley Parsons, Homer City Council Member

“I know JKT is going to put all of our communities first. He has the energy and enthusiasm to meet this moment.” - Natalie Dawson, Fmr. Haines Borough Assemblymember

“Take it from me, winning statewide elections is difficult, but JKT has what it takes to run a successful campaign by presenting a vision for Alaska that will bring lasting change to our state and provide opportunities for all of us.” - Fmr. Governor Tony Knowles

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On Saturday, Secretary Doug Burgum, Governor Mike Dunleavy, and Congressman Nick Begich touched down in Coldfoot, Alaska, to celebrate the permits issued by the Trump Administration to construct the proposed Ambler Road. The proposed route would begin near Coldfoot, off of the Dalton Highway. The officials were met by protestors who made it known what those against the Ambler Road have been saying for years– Alaskans don’t want this project, foreign interests are the main benefactors, and it will devastate the land and people of northwest Alaska. As the administration continues to push this project, our resistance continues to organize and grow. Follow @noamblerroad to learn more, get involved in upcoming actions, and join the resistance. #noamblerroad #roadless #brooksrange #alaska #secretaryburgum

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On May 6th, the Department of the Interior announced it would transfer roughly 1.4 million acres of land in Alaska’s Dalton Utility Corridor to the State of Alaska — a move the Trump administration says will help advance projects like the proposed Ambler Road and other large-scale resource development efforts across the state.

The Department of the Interior called it a major step toward economic growth and energy expansion, while conservation groups are concerned that it could accelerate industrial development in one of the largest remaining intact wilderness regions in North America.

For people who live and work in the Brooks Range, the stakes are deeply personal.

John Gaedeke has spent his entire life connected to this landscape. His family founded Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge in 1974, and for decades, he’s guided visitors through the Brooks Range while witnessing firsthand the wildlife migrations that opponents of the Ambler Road fear could be permanently altered.

In our May 15 episode of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we hear from John on his thoughts on this land transfer and how it would impact local Alaskan livelihoods.

#news #alaska #brooksrange #mining #daltoncorridor

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Rule number 1 in dog mushing is to never let go! Nice save here from top guide Jonah at Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge!!! FLANNEL POWER!

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Meanwhile, in the Brooks Range…

📸: @arcticjohnny #huntfishbrooksrange #noamblerroad

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Scenes from the western half of the proposed Ambler Road corridor. Last fall the Trump administration once again green-lit the road which would cut through Alaska native subsistence lands as well as 20 miles of National Park land. The road would cross thousands of rivers, streams, and wetlands, disrupt caribou migration, and permanently alter the Alaska map. It would also bring intense noise of truck traffic and stir up dust into one of the quiet, pristine wilderness areas we have left in this country.
Is it worth it?
Photographs made for @politicomag in 2021.

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Last day at Iniakuk. Flowers are happy and starting to bloom. Clients came, so Naomi and I transitioned to cooking. All is well in paradise.🌼

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Hello from the Arctic! It’s HOT.. 80 degrees in the shade, hotter in the intense Arctic sun. It’s been a busy 2 days of planting so far, with good company and plenty of staring at beautiful Iniakuk Lake.

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“The Brooks Range is unique because it is completely intact. Despite thousands of years of human occupation, it remains essentially what it has always been. We don’t need to clean the rivers or restock the fish. We just need to not screw it up with large scale industrialization.” - John Gaedeke

A lodge owner and outdoorsman, John Gaedeke shares with us his love for the Brooks Range and why the proposed Ambler Road threatens truly remote experiences like the ones offered by his family’s Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge. Read more at the link in our bio.

📸: @arcticjohnny | #huntfishbrooksrange #noamblerroad

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Happy dogs howling to the Lady Aurora.. it doesn’t get any better!
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#aurora #iniakuklodge #sleddogs #gatesofthearcticnationalpark #arctic #alaska

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Having some good old fashioned fun exploring this new country till the clients get here! 😎

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