Born in 1987, Ariel grew up in Unalakleet, following in the footsteps of her hard working parents. She was known around town for being a fierce competitor on her high school's co-ed wrestling team!
Like her mother, she competed in cross-country, and has run every day since May of 2002. One of her most vivid memories was when she shot her first caribou with her grandma at age 9. The recoil from the gun was so strong that she was left with a black eye.
Ariel studied communications at Chapman University in Southern California, where she fell in love with being warm. Currently she travels between there and her hometown of Unalakleet to assist in her family-run business, Era Alaska.
She is the only member of the family who does not have a pilot's license, but gets in flying time whenever possible with the hope of qualifying for solo some day
