In July and August, I was part of a team of four people who made a mountaineering pilgrimage to the most northern mountain range in North America. The central Brooks Range (Gwazhał in Athabaskan) is the traditional territory of the Inupiaq-speaking Kuuvanmiit and Nunamiut people and the Athapaskan-speaking Koyukon. Today, the landscape we visited is in included in Gates of the Arctic National Park.
Forest McBrian, Steph Williams, Drew Lovell and myself spent 3 weeks exploring the Arrigetch Peaks region which comprises two drainages of the Alatna River. My first trip to the Arctic, learning about the beautiful long and low light of summer in the far north was amazing as a photographer. Here are a few shots celebrating the season of light in this expansive and wild mountain range.
You can find more images of mine from the Arrigetch Peaks and order prints in my photo archive.
Sunrise in the Aquarius Valley.
Shed caribou antler in the upper Aquarius valley with the sun behind East and West Maiden Peaks.
Midnight sun from the summit of Shot Tower.
Early morning light in upper Arrigetch Creek.
Aiagomahala Creek.
Steph Williams on a new 5.11a variation on Shot Tower.
Aquarius creek from the shoulder of Parabola Peak.
The Albatross cloaked in mist and its reflection in Arrigetch Creek.
One of the many lakes in the Aquarius Valley and sunlit cliffs beyond.
Patchy sunlight on the tundra in Aiagomahala Creek basin.
Mist and wet rock during a break in the rain.
Forest McBrian traversing a wet meadow below the Maidens.
Morning light and mosquitos on the approach to Parabola Peak.
Mist and clouds on Disneyland Peak.
Sun shower over Arrigetch Creek and Caliban Peak.
Forest McBrian hiking in morning light on the North Face of Xanadu Peak.
Rainbow in upper Arrigetch valley.
A dusting of late summer snow and clouds clock Xanadu Peak and Escape Pass.
Forest McBrian close to the summit of Ariel Peak.
Glacial tarn in a patch of sunlight.
Rain over the Arrigetch Valley.
Sunlight on the Maidens and a waning moon.
All of these images are available for sale or licensing. Contact me directly to order a custom print or order online through my image archive.
