kellie okonek3

MY FRIEND recently wrote, "If we don't chase each one of our dreams they may escape us." I thought for a minute and responded, "Interesting that sometimes following your dreams can seem like a challenge ... suppose we need to suspend self-limiting beliefs and just go for it more!"

When I think about life, I am immediately grounded in the secret being an intentional manner of living wherein dreams are the guide, passionate living is the method, and gratitude is the medium. The mountains, wilderness, and countries of the world provide the forum, and an open heart and mind allow the adventure. The result: consistently amazing experiences providing growth, an ever-expanding concept of the universe, and a reminder that we’re all connected, all growing, and all empowered to create the life for which we yearn.

Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Kellie Okonek. I live in Girdwood, Alaska, and pretty much consider Alaska one big ski area with a particular addiction to exploring the local Chugach and Kenai mountains. I love watching the backcountry change throughout the winter, waiting for that perfect balance of weather, avalanche conditions, and partners to line up for amazing descents in beautiful places. When the snow melts, I find myself traveling to the southern hemisphere to explore the Andes, down to Antarctica in pursuit of remote steep skiing, or into the summertime Alaskan wilderness to find raw adventure traversing large distances through truly wild country.

To balance off an overdose of play, I have a full-time job as an engineer in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, working a rotational schedule (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off) on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. While oftentimes I'd rather be out playing, I do value my job for its intellectual challenges, ability to work with a broad range of people, and to do things like pursue my dream of owning a home!
My quiet moments are filled with dreams of future ski trips, both in Alaska and internationally, as well as trying to craft a unique and challenging summer wilderness traverse for 2010. I'd also love to write more magazine articles, building on my first to be published this year!

Through it all, the appeal is in the unknown, the reward in using my experience and skills to suspend disbelief, trust myself and my partners, and let the solution unfold.