Reel Science: Roadless

Reel Science: Roadless with Robert Lester, Roadless Project Leader

Nov 19, 2026 | 6:30-8:30PM | Doors at 6:15PM | The Empirical Theater

Tickets: $8 adults, $7 seniors, $6 youth; OMSI members receive 15% off 

ABOUT THE FILM:

Roadless follows three adventurers as they set out on foot through the Alaskan wilderness with a goal: to follow the entire 211-mile length of the proposed Ambler Mining Road.

160 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the team crosses vast tundra, wild rivers, and pristine forests, bringing audiences directly into one of the most remote and ecologically intact landscapes in North America.

As the miles accumulate, so do the challenges - injuries, exhaustion, hunger, relentless mosquitoes, and the harsh reality of traveling difficult terrain without roads or trails. But the expedition also reveals a landscape few people will ever experience firsthand. Encounters with wildlife, 24-hour sunlight, and the vast Arctic ecosystem offer a glimpse into a remarkable environment that has remained largely untouched by human development.

Roadless is an adventure film about endurance and natural beauty, while exploring what could be lost if the Ambler Road is built.

Duration: 62 minutes

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Robert Lester is a professional expedition athlete and environmental steward whose work explores the intersection of adventure, conservation, and the protection of wild places. Lester’s work combines firsthand expedition experience with environmental storytelling, using exploration, writing, photography, and film to bring attention to landscapes and conservation issues that are often difficult to experience firsthand. He regularly lectures on conservation and the outdoors at schools and universities throughout the Northwest, sharing lessons from his expeditions and encouraging students to develop a deeper connection to wild places.