Cloud drama over the Nigu river, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. Canon 5D Mark II, 16-35mm 2.8L, 1/125 sec @ f9, ISO 100
I spent 10 days on a river trip in Alaska’s arctic, beginning on the Nigu river, which means “rainbow” in Inupiaq. The Nigu flows north out of the Brooks Range, with its headwaters located in the Gates of the Arctic National Park. It then flows through the National Petroleum Reserve, where it joins the Etivluk river and eventually the Colville river.
River trips in the arctic are filled with adventure and epic wilderness vistas that are to my soul what a great breath of fresh air is to the lungs. Four of us, in two canoes began the trip on June 3, which is still early spring in the arctic. Green shoots and leaves were just beginning to emerge, and the river swelled with brown water from the melting mountainside drainages.
We flew to our destination with Coyote Air and used to two inflatable canoes to navigate the waters. Temperatures were cool, but not cold, and lots of sunshine warmed our happy faces. I’ll be posting a few images from that trip in the next few weeks.
Amazing landscape. I like the wide-angle distortion on the dark clouds, the spotlighting on the vast tundra, and the snaking river. The colors and the compostion are very good.
Patrick! I just discovered your blog and have been reading your posts about the Nigu- what a great trip! And some amazing shots as well, they really capture the feeling of the place.
I had dinner with Debbie a few nights ago and am seeing Hugh tomorrow, so I’ve been remembering our trip a lot lately. Truly an incredible place, one that I hope to revisit some day. I’ll be sure to look you up the next time I’m in Fairbanks!
Hey Angus,
Great to hear from you and I hope studies go well. That was a great trip to share with you, certainly one I won’t forget. Amazing country, and a magical journey through wild lands!
Patrick