The inspiration for the Ultima Thule
The inspiration for the Ultima Thule has been several years in the making, forming in our minds subtly, like shifting sand dunes or snow drifting across tundra. This gallery gives some of the background for this summer’s upcoming adventures, and the idea of forming a repository where people adventuring in the Arctic can share their experiences so that others might have a chance to know these special places. A few pictures show Richard and Kathy Huffman on their trip on the Canning River in 2004, and their final trip on the Hulahula River in 2005. The last photos are from my trip in 2006 following their last float.
As we assemble the Klepper on the garage floor in Seattle and shake out our polypro, these images and memories anchor us to the spirit of connection to the far northern reaches of our nation and our world in the most remote areas- and public lands- of Alaska.
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- Aufeis is one of the many fascinating formations of ice in the Arctic, formed by water overflowing river beds and freezing, overflowing again and refreezing, and eventually creating large masses of ice striated from the consecutive freezes
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- Canning River, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
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- The expansiveness of the Arctic is impossible to convey without having had the experience. It is akin to the desert, in the sense that the far view captures your vision much more than something in the middle ground. Many mystics have searched for and lived in places like this, where they feel most directly connected with the divine.
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- June 2004
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- Canning River, 2004
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- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
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- Rich Huffman squints into the cold north-east wind on the Hulahula River
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- The Canning River is on the western boundary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
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- June 2005
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- June 2005
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- This is the last picture taken of Kathy, joy radiating despite the cold wind, loving each moment in the Arctic
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- This photo was taken in June 2006. The next year, for the first time in recorded history, no permanent sea ice remained at the north pole in summer months.
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- I took this photo around 2 AM. The rainbows appeared and disappeared, appearing again down the valley, the Arctic air itself shimmering with life
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- Dark rain clouds hanging in the mountains across the river only lent greater depth and mystery to this special place
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- There are so many reasons it is important to protect wilderness and ecosystems, and this day I added light to that list
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- I took this just before pulling over for dinner. The light was ethereal, other-worldy, and pulled me into its magnificence.
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- Sometimes the near view captures as much as the far view- the Arctic gives you splendor in both
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- Not only caribou and millions of birds, but three species of bear, fox, muskoxen and over a hundred other mammals live on the Arctic coastal plains, one of the last complete eco-systems
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- These coastal plains, dense with life and patterns in the land from ice thousands of years old, is also the calving ground for the Porcupine Caribou and a critical nesting area for birds from around the world
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- The ever shifting weather in the Arctic plays magically on the rugged landscape
I miss them. We are blessed to have shared some time with them……and now blessed with Shannon and Peter….looking forward to seeing you at the cabina.
What a lovely tribute you are paying to your dad and Kathy.
Be safe and happy, and enjoy every moment together in the beautiful
places you about to uncover. All my love and prayers are with you both
Thinking of you and praying for joy and safety–oh, and LOTS of beautiful pictures!
We love you!