61°North

20Q with Cleve McDonald

Q: How would you spend your perfect day?

A: No question: Jump in the 185 and go fishing with a bunch of kids.

Q: What's the last book/story you remember enjoying?

A: Saga of a Wayward Sailor by Tristan Jones

Q: What is your super power?

A: I'm not very super-powerish.

Q: What life question are you still trying to answer?

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A: You know, there's not a bunch of questions I have; I just enjoy living life to the fullest.

Q: Who would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?

A: Clint Eastwood. Then I'd bring a bunch of local buddies, and we'd have a good time.

Q: Which moment from your past would you like to revisit?

A: The day I stood on top of Everest was pretty incredible. [Ed. note: Cleve is the 97th person to climb all seven of the world's highest summits.]

Q: What do you do to unwind?

A: Go fly in the 185.

Q: What's your favorite place in Alaska to visit? To live?

A: Oh, gosh. I love going anywhere in the mountains. Going fishing. Tikchik Lake would be one of my favorites.

Q: What's your favorite place to eat?

A: Gwennie's

Q: What was your first job?

A: Deckhand on a tug boat

Q: What's the last concert or performance you loved?

A: I don't go to concerts, but my girlfriend's granddaughter was in a dance recital at West High last year, and I really enjoyed it.

Q: Who do you go to for advice?

A: There's a bunch of mentors in my life. Todd Burleson is a good buddy of mine. My mom is a great mentor.

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Q: What is your favorite holiday tradition?

A: Probably Thanksgiving, cooking for the families.

Q: What do you collect?

A: I've got all sorts of hobbies I do—kite boarding, climbing. So I love stuff I collect for those different sports.

Q: Who are you named after?

A: My grandfather

Q: Do you have a favorite Alaska beverage (coffee, microbrew, stream water)?

A: Alaskan Amber

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Q: Do you count down the days until summer or winter?

A: Summer

Q: What's your favorite outdoor activity?

A: Skiing, climbing, kite boarding

Q: Who is your favorite Alaska icon?

A: Wow. There's so many! Ted Stevens.

Q: What's your guilty pleasure?

A: Probably going for a great workout and just getting tremendously beat and feeling like I did really good.

This story appeared in the May 2015 issue of 61º North Magazine. Contact 61º editor Jamie Gonzales at jgonzales@alaskadispatch.com.

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