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Sled Dogs and Sunsets: A Year in the Life of an Arctic Adventurer

Sarah McNair-Landry is a household name among Arctic adventure specialists. Here, the native of Canada’s northernmost territory offers a glimpse into the inner workings that make her tick.
arctic dog sledder sarah mcnair-landry with her dogsArctic explorer Sarah McNair-Landry; (photo/courtesy National Film Board of Canada)
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Against the sprawling snowfields and ice-choked channels of the Canadian Arctic, you’ll often find Sarah McNair-Landry in frenetic motion.

The Iqualuit, Nunavut-born athlete hones her multiple adventure skills throughout every season. From ocean kayaking to glacier travel to big wall climbing and dog sledding, it’s all in a lifetime’s work for a world-class Arctic explorer.

But what makes McNair-Landry’s robust engine run, and what impact do her experiences make on her? Those are the topics in “My 2020,” a documentary that “creates a fascinating logbook punctuated by extreme sports and breathtaking northern landscapes, from Nunavut to Idaho.”

The diary-style action follows McNair-Landry, her longtime companion Erik Boomer, and their trusty sled dogs as they cover ground and ponder adventure sports’ biggest questions. “Isolation, freedom, the future of recreational tourism, and the quiet power of the great outdoors” all make the list.

mcnair-landry and the dogs in silhouette against a sunset
(Photo/courtesy National Film Board of Canada)

So, settle in for a frozen meditation and check out “My 2020,” which premieres for free today thanks to the National Film Board of Canada.

Runtime: 34 minutes

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