Anaktuvuk Pass with my Dad

I am so lucky – my dad has come to visit me in Alaska! Ever since he saw my first photos of the Arctic (Arctic Village and the Kongakut River in ANWR) he has wanted to get above the Arctic Circle. Knowing I was headed back this year he has come for a week and we made a pilgrimage to Anaktuvuk Pass, on the Continental Divide in the heart of the Brooks Range.

It’s fall in the Arctic and the colors are glorious! The yellow of the willows, the red and orange of the blue berries and all the shades of things in between. It’s dazzling. My pictures try to capture the brilliant colors as they carpet the tundra. It is like someone took a paintbrush and gave a hue of golden orange to the mountainsides. The cool nights (in the 30’s) have done away with the mosquitos which makes this place a step closer to paradise.

Anaktuvuk is approximately 100 nautical miles from the Arctic Circle. I know this because my dad got to sit in the co-pilot’s seat on the flight out. We had THE PERFECT DAY! Sunshine and blue bird sky. We could see the endless expanse of mountains, layer upon layer of ranges as we moved north of the Arctic Circle.Our first day we took an Argo tour (it’s an 8 wheeler that can move over the very wet tundra generally without getting stuck). This allowed us to get out of town and look down the Anaktuvuk Valley. We were both a little conflicted about the damage that these argos’ inflict on the tundra. (In Inupiat language tundra is “nuna”), yet they are a regular part of life here and how the residents get around. Nuna walking is quite wet and spongy – challenging to make any distance quickly.

The next day we went hiking. The weather had changed significantly – giving my dad a true Arctic experience. We made our way up Little Contact creek and up the flanks of “Blueberry Hill” outside of town. What a JOY to be with my dad and share this place. He and I are of the same heart… we feel at home and happy out here!

Look at the Gallery Photos for more pictures and the full tour of Anaktuvuk Pass!