Kate Harris on the way travel can lead us into deeper questions about the universe

“Travel is often one part geography and nine parts imagination.” –Kate Harris

In this episode of Deviate Rolf and Kate discuss Kate’s early fixation with exploration and interest in Mars (3:00); science as a catalyst for exploration (10:30); the universality of the human experience and her trip through Asia (21:00); the concept of borders (32:00); nostalgia and the transformational effect of travel (43:00); the role of home in relation to travel (52:00); and letting adventure into your life (1:02:00).

Kate Harris (@kateonmars) is an adventure writer, named by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the “world’s most adventurous women.” Her work has appeared in Outside, The Walrus, and Georgia Review. Her book, Lands of Lost Borders, is a national bestseller For more about Kate, check out www.kateharris.ca

Notable Links:

• Rolf’s Q&A with Kate Harris (book foreword)
• Silk Road (network of trade routes)
• Mars Desert Research Station (Mars simulation in Utah)
• Morehead-Cain Scholarship (UNC program)
• Ernest Shackleton (explorer)
• Fridtjof Nansen (explorer)
• Annie Dillard (American author)
• Wind, Sand and Stars, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (book)
• Henry David Thoreau (writer)
• My Journey to Lhasa, by Alexandra David-Neel (book)
• Aksai Chin (region administered by China)
• Marco Polo (historical figure)
• Tomas Tranströmer (poet)
• Atlin (community in British Columbia)

This episode of Deviate is brought to you by Tortuga Backpacks, which set the standard for the best, most durable, organized, and comfortable travel backpacks. Tortuga products also include daypacks, duffels, and other travel accessories, which are all made with the traveler in mind and have been featured by The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Carryology, and many other industry outlets.

This episode is also brought to you by AirTreks, an industry leader in multi-stop international travel. AirTreks has employees working from all corners of the world to help with your flight planning, specializing in complex routes with up to 25 stops. The AirTreks website offers suggested pre-planned travel itineraries to help you get started, but can customize to fit your journey.

The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.

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