Hey Folks
Well, I finally made it to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and it sure feels good to be here again. I arrived at the park’s northern entrance, at the small community of Slana, and drove the Nabesna Road into Jack Creek, where I made camp. Since then, I’ve poked around a little, hiked up Caribou Creek (I often wonder if anyone has ever done an accurate, or even inaccurate, count of how many “Caribou Creeks” there are in Alaska – I’m guessing over 100!), and also spent some time yesterday talking with a ranger and some other local people to gain a little more perspective and insight on the park. Today I would like to do another hike, and then hope to meet and talk to Michael Quinton, a National Geographic staff photographer who lives near the Park entrance at Slana. I met him once before in Denali National Park, and he’s a nice guy, and an awesome photographer. Hopefully I’ll gain some knowledge off him that will help me with my project here.
Among other things, I learned yesterday is that the National Park Service has a new book on Wrangell St. Elias National Park coming out this fall – actually, it was supposed to already be out, but has been delayed. I’m kinda bummed, because there has only been one book done on the park previously, by George Herben, and that was one of the motivators for me to take up this project. The other thing that bummed me about this new book is that the park service didn’t use any of my photos for it. I’m sure Ron Niebrugge has dozens in it. 🙂
Lastly, it’s bug season here in Wrangell St. Elias. Mosquitoes are having a nice time, I accidentally left a sipper to my tent open about an inch last night, and in the morning there were dozens of mosquitoes flying around inside – all full of my blood. One was so full he could hardly take flight. Nasty little critters. Tonight, my tent shall be zipped ALL the way up!
Cheers
Carl
Hi Carl,
I have some in it. I think it is much more of an interpretive book then what you were looking to do which I believe would be more photo driven, although I haven’t seen it yet. I’m surprised it isn’t out yet – I originally provided photos two years ago. I still think the Wrangell’s are very underrepresented when it comes to publications and that you could have a successful photo book on the subject.
Ron
Hey Ron,
Thanks for posting.
I spoke with some folks from the NPS, and they said it’s a pretty general book, an overview thing. It was supposed to be out spring, but got delayed, and looks to be coming out in the fall, they said. One lady told me they had been considering one of your photos for the cover (of course!) but it looked “weird”, like it was photo-shopped, or something — her words. I told her ALL your stuff is photo-shopped. 🙂
I’m really excited about doing this project, and look forward to talking with you sometime soon to get some input, ideas, etc, from your experience. I see you have a new book on the Chugach out man, Congrats .. The cover looks awesome (I saw a review in AK mag)! I look forward to seeing the actual book.
Cheers
Carl
Thanks Carl! I look forward to seeing the Chugach book as well – it came out right after we left.
I was really hoping to get the cover of the Wrangell book since that was my old stomping grounds. The art director really wanted to use this photo. The Park Service voted it down for the same reason they told you. Maybe it was the same person. I think they thought the ridge was Photoshopped in or something. What can you do, that is how it looked – it was a knife sharped ridge with a cool background. O well. Ironically, I bet if I had soften the ridge with PS they probably would have liked it 🙂
Ron
Hey Ron,
They should’ve used your photo for the cover. In K’elt’aeni, the little newspaper for the park, they have a photo of the book as a promo for it. It’s pretty cool, but I’m partial to your photo .. that’s such a great view. It does look weird though – I think the lighting is weird .. maybe the ridge is a little too bright, compared to the background glacier – it almost doesn’t look like Stairway Icefall is behind the ridge, but is actually ON the ridge, like the ice is on the ridge. Does that make sense?
When do you get back in to Anchorage? Do you a pickup from the airport or anything? I’m in town for a few days if you do, let me know, via email or call my cell.
Cheers
Carl
Hi Carl,
It does make sense – I agree, it does look funny.
Thanks a lot of the offer! We get to Anchorage late on the 2nd. I think my folks are dropping off our car at the airport, so we will hurry down to Seward late that night. We have family visiting on the 4th, and we have a ton of work to do, and I’m hoping to leave in a few days – I have a couple of assignments in Southeast, so I need to hit the road as soon as possible.
Looks like the weather is pretty good up there right now – I bet you can’t wait to get to the back-country!
Ron
Hey Ron,
Sounds like you’re busy. I bet the stuff in SE AK is gunna be cool. I need to get down and spend some time there sometime.
I’ll be around, I think, the night of the 2nd, so if you want to meet for dinner that night when you get in, gimme a shout. Otherwise I’ll catch up with you later in the summer.
Cheers
Carl