Institute of Photographic StudiesF/Stop
Alaska PhotoEx—Land of the Last Frontier · Jul 24, 04:13 PM
So people ask me, now that I’m back from the two-week PhotoEx in Alaska, what the highlight of my trip was. The highlights are as numerous and varied as the adventures we had, but my favorite part of the trip was seeing the majesty of God up close and personal—and realizing that the mighty God of grand mountains and glaciers and rivers and wide open spaces is the same God that has a personal interest in my life and desires a personal relationship with me.
The trip officially began when seven of us gathered in Anchorage, Alaska, excited about being in the “Land of the Last Frontier.” We hit the ground running with a sunset shoot on Eklutna Lake and a canoe trip down the Little Susitna river. The names and nicknames of rivers, valleys, and mountains are insightful, varied, and at times concerning. How did Peter’s Arctic Plunge, Archangel Valley, Rainy Pass, Carter Spit, Perseverance Lake, and Danger Point Trail get their names, exactly?
Photographers became backwoodsmen over the next several days as we practiced canoe strokes and techniques, loaded backpacks, hiked, and enjoyed the silence and grandeur of being the only people in sight. Wilderness and landscape photography was put into practice on the Kesugi Ridge trail as we averaged 20 miles of hiking, overlooking the Denali mountain range and shooting amazing images all the way. The weather was gorgeous—sun, breeze; and we only had hail once and rain twice—a rarity for the time of year, we were told by Alaskans. God was definitely showing off!
The next several days took us through Denali National Park and off to St. Elias-Wrangell National Park. Exploring the abandoned mining town of Kennicott, with its dilapidated buildings and spectacular scenic overlooks was a definite highlight. At night, we camped alongside the Root Glacier, listening to ice crack and rocks tumble across the valley. We made memories along the way, from crossing an iron bridge spanning a glacier-fed river to dueling mosquitoes to climbing toward the abandoned Erie Mine and watching planes on glacier tours below.
In many ways, the Alaska PhotoEx is just what you’ve come to expect from other IPS courses: a personal and photographic challenge. A pursuit of photographic excellence. People, events, and locations that push you out of your comfort zone. But what makes it distinct from other IPS adventures? Twenty hours of daylight. Packing pistols as protection in the wild. Arctic ground squirrels, mosquitoes, moose, and glimpses of caribou and bears. Laughing along the trail. Hiking through tundra and snow in the summer time. And more. I’m grateful for the six friendships that were strengthened and cultivated on the Alaska adventure!
Will Thornton, the fearless leader of the 2007 Alaska PhotoEx.
Vignette from a four-day backpacking trip along the Kesugi Ridge
Valerie Rice creates a fantastic image.
Jonathan Spratt demonstrates the proper position for stunning water images.
Abecca Miller takes a break from hiking the Matanuska Glacier to smile for the camera.
Brent Hickey and Will Thornton point the way along the Kesugi Ridge.
Where are we again? Pausing for an orientation lesson at Eight Mile Divide.
Our happy—and victorious—group after four days of backpacking. (Left to right, from back): Abecca Miller, Brent Hickey, Jonathan Spratt, Valerie Rice, Tonya Gallego, Will Thornton, and Mandy Novotny.
Our very muddy post-four-wheeling trip picture, compliments of Dean Blood, our illustrious host. Photo by Will Thornton.
A view from a three-day backpacking trip to Kennicott, Alaska, an abandoned mining town established in 1910.
—Mandy Novotny
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