Morgan Beasley
Morgan Beasley learned to pack horses after graduating from the University of Idaho with a degree in Environmental Science. He has worked in construction, cabinetry, fish processing, on trail crews and as a guide and wrangler, and even as the caretaker for a remote homestead in Idaho. After making his way to Alaska, he continued refining his horse packing talents working as a wrangler at sheep hunting camps and began exploring Alaska on long solo backpacking trips. He has trekked twice across the Alaska Range. Morgan was featured on TV’s Mountain Men for four seasons. Safety through awareness and forethought is Morgan’s biggest priority. Morgan can fix anything with whatever supplies are available. He is private pilot and Stinson aircraft enthusiast. He currently creates videos of homestead life on his YouTube Channel. He enjoys hunting, reading, rock climbing, spending time in the saddle, and a cold beer.
Margaret Stern
Margaret Stern was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She moved to Maine to study Botany and Natural History at College of the Atlantic. While earning her degree in Maine, Margaret acquired skills in draft horse work, farming and taxidermy. After graduation, she promptly landed in Alaska to work at a wood-fired oven bakery. Margaret has guided in Alaska and the Patagonian Andes and has also worked as a Fisheries Technician for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Currently, she is the Outreach and Communications Coordinator for the Susitna River Coalition. Margaret is one credit away from a certificate in Ethnobotany and has begun a graduate program in Fisheries and Wildlife Management. In addition, Margaret is also a private pilot. She loves identifying plants, tracking, exploring via foot, saddle and raft, and finding any excuse to safely spend time outside.
What is Apricity?
Apricity: The feeling of the warmth of the sun.
We chose this life for the freedom and deep connection to place it provides.
Each day is a Meditation on the simplicity of our needs:
hauling water, chopping wood, hunting for fresh foods
The satisfaction of creation:
building and growing our home, woodcarving, nurturing seeds,
The exhilaration of exploration:
Watching caribou roam the foothills, bagging unnamed peaks, the beating of horse hooves across open tundra.
Meet the animals
Maggie
Rufous
Frilla fra Harlanda
Frilla fra Harlanda, or just Frilla, is our 12-year-old all-star and lead mare. She does it all- packing, riding, and draft work. Ever Friendly, Frilla is always the first to come over and say hello when you walk out into the horse yard. She loves hugs and ear scratches. Frilla exhibits five gaits: walk, trot, canter, as well as the Icelandic tolt, and flying pace. She makes for a smooth, comfortable, and well-controlled ride. Frilla is a very professional pack horse, and even carried the solar panels for our solar system. Without Frilla, we wouldn’t have electricity! We are so grateful to have Frilla as part of our herd.
Feila
Feila, or as we like to call her, “Viking Warrior Princess,” is the only chestnut Icelandic Horse in our small herd. With a long blonde mane and tail, a star on her forehead, and white markings along her sides, Feila is a striking beauty. Handsome as well as tough, Feila exhibits five gaits and is a joy to pack and ride. She is the most vocal of our horses, and has a purring nicker that she lets out when you enter the horse yard. She loves belly rubs and tolting! At age 11, she makes a friendly addition to our herd. Feila packed in the beginnings of our perennial beds this fall: rhubarb, horseradish, apple trees on arctic rootstock, saskatoon berries, and bulbs. Thank you, Feila!
Lutja fra Triple D
Lutja fra Triple D is the youngest member of our horse herd. At age 5, Lutja is a fearless, spunky, little horse. A treat to ride, Lutja enjoys taking riders through her gaits. Lutja packs small loads for us on the homestead and is best friends with Feila. The two often share piles of hay. In winter, Lutja puts on the thickest coat out of all of our horses and sports an impressive beard.
Neisti
Neisti is our calm, old gelding. At 24, Neisti’s mild temperament and bombproof, positive attitude make him ideal for all kinds of homestead work. A handsome horse with double forehead whorls and chestnut dappling along his sides, Neisti can be found at the homestead dragging logs, ruling the barn, and apricating. A retired show horse, Neisti delights in taking riders through his five polished gaits. At Apricity, Neisti keeps a watchful, protective eye over the herd. He particularly appreciates belly scratches and the occasional animal cracker treat. We think Neisti is enjoying his working homestead retirement!
