Jon Turk

I grew up on the shores of a wooded lake in Connecticut, attended Phillips Academy, Andover and then Brown University. I earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Colorado, in 1971. The same year, in honor of Earth Day 1, I co-authored the first environmental science textbook in the United States. It sold 100,000 copies and speaheaded the development of environmental science curricula in North America.

At the same time, hounded by restless spirits, I began wandering the globe, visiting people and places that were so far from my childhood upbringing. Over the decades, I have kayaked across the North Pacific and around Cape Horn, mountain biked through the Gobi desert, made first climbing ascents of big walls on Baffin Island, and first ski descents in the Tien Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzia.

For thirty years, my life moved in two paths, which at first seemed separate and disconnected. The academic side wrote 25 highly acclaimed environmental and geoscience textbooks, while the adventurer in me raced off to the wildernesses of the world as soon as my deadlines were met.

Recently, I've realized that my life has been a synergistic whole. My new book, The Raven's Gift, outlines five expeditions to northeast Siberia and my deep friendship with Moolynaut, a 100 year old healer and shaman who lives in the small village of Vyvenka. Her great and enduring lesson is that the tundra, and all the wild spaces of our planet, provide the foundation for spiritual healing and physical well being. Thus science and humanism coalesce. I was recently honored to have an email exchange with Henry Pollack, a world-renowned geoscientist and co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore. He endorsed my book and my work with the words, "The tension between his own logical scientific background and the mysterious shamanistic wisdom of his healer is at the heart of this wonderfully-told story of Koryak life, and of his own personal transformation."

A few words about my personal life. In 1980, I married Chris Seashore and we lived in a small house in the Montana forest. We shared many expeditions and at other times I traveled without her.

Chris died in an avalanche in March, 2005

I am now 64 years old, and still blessed with good health. My body and I have an agreement. I take it to places where we have fun; it takes me to places where we have fun. We're a team, my body and I.

I have three wonderful children and six grandchildren. Nathan is a computer programmer, Reeva, a veterinarian and author, and Noey, an organic farmer and rock climber.

In September, 2006, Nina Maclean and I fell in love and we decided to join our lives together. We have had a marvelous time, learning each other's ways, wants, and personalities. We spend winters in a two-bedroom apartment in Fernie, B.C., near great skiing, and still own the house in Darby. In all the glory, madness, and tragedy, there have been two constants in my life: love of remote landscapes and writing. My accomplishments – the ego-centric physical waypoints of my life – are listed below. For the real journey, read my new book (when it comes out)The Raven's Gift.

Log In to see more information about Jon Turk
Log in or register now!

Series

Books: