Why Couldn't They Drive Anywhere?
I know it's an isolated town, but surely there are roads, but everyone was rushing for the plane.
Why did they leave before the 30 days of darkness? I don't understand that either.
I'm guessing the driving conditions get very bad at that time of the year and the nearest town Wainwright is around 100 miles away. In fact, just got this from Wikipedia: "The roads in Barrow are unpaved, and no roads connect the city to the rest of Alaska."
Also, it would've been too dangerous anyway, they could get attacked even while driving let alone running to the car.
A lot of people left before it got dark because they'd rather spend winter where there's actual daylight. It kind of makes sense for some of the inhabitants to go elsewhere, like a relative or friend's house during that month - I know I would.
We call this the Loom of Fate.
I think the reason for all the posts about so-called plot holes is that a lot of people don't know how completely isolated some places where people live in Alaska are. Ever seen ice road truckers? They're in a rush for a reason. There are a lot of places you can only get to by bush plane or chopper. People literally hunt to eat. That's how it works and why most people can't handle living up there.
shareWe have places even in northern Sweden which you can't reach except by air, at least not during winter. Some places are no less isolated than an island. Rough terrain, thick forests and mountain ranges simply makes it impossible to reach with a car.
Going out on foot trekking in the dark for 1 month is basically suicide so that's out of the question.