Skolai Pass, the north end; Sunset over Skolai Pass, Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Please click the image to view a larger version of the photo.
Hey Folks,
Skolai Pass has rocked into March 2010. This month’s edition of backpacker magazine, which I wrote about earlier, has a full page image of mine from Hole in the Wall, accompanying an article about hiking the Goat Trail. And this month’s edition of Popular Photography includes another photo from Skolai Pass by photographer Doug Roane, taken on one of last year’s Skolai Pass Photo Tours. Check out a large version of Doug’s amazing photo here. Better yet, take 15 minutes and browse the collection of images on Doug’s website. Awesome stuff!
Skolai Pass, the south end; Waterfalls overlooking Skolai Pass and Russell Glacier – Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, AK. For a gorgeous larger version, visit Doug’s website at www.dougroanephotography.com
Doug’s photo was voted 2nd place in the March “Your Best Shot” competition. Huge congratulations Doug, a recognition well-earned. Unfortunately the magazine doesn’t have the image posted online, but if you grab a copy of the magazine, you’ll see it in print. Better yet, for just over a hundred bucks, you can buy a gorgeous 16″x20″ print off Doug via his website; it’s a fantastic photo, and I’m sure the print would like awesome hanging on your wall.
And, for the record, the photo is entirely Doug’s – he found the location, the waterfall, scouted it out, and headed down at first light to shoot it. I had nothing to do with this brilliant composition at all. I was busy sucking down coffee.
As I wrote in my recent post about the Hole in the Wall, Skolai Pass holds a special place in my heart. I saw my first ever grizzly bear there, first Dall sheep, first real glacier. My first ever hike in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park was from Skolai to Glacier Creek, down the infamous Goat Trail, and across the Chitistone River. I’ve spent SO many great times up there. When my parents came to visit me in Alaska for the first time a couple of years ago, I had to show them the place, and we flew over the area.
This year I’ll be back up in the area again, and look forward to the experience. Now Doug has set a new standard for photos from Skolai Pass, so my work is cut out for me. I can’t expect to match his portfolio, but I’ll see if I can at least make a respectable effort. This Sept 02-09 I’ll be there leading a Photo Tour, and will probably hike through the area earlier in the summer as well, en route down the Goat Trail to Wolverine. Can’t wait! If I can come home with an image even half as strong as Doug’s great shot here, I’ll be more than pleased.
Cheers
Carl
Thank you so much, Carl! I got my issue of backpacker the other day, and your image is amazing! We’d better be careful though, because if too many people find out about Alaska’s best kept secret, before we know it, they’ll be building a road into Skolai pass!!!
Seriously though, your photo tour was amazing – and the cost was very very reasonable. I would highly recommend it for any photographer who wants to see and experience pristine, remote Alaska wilderness with a guide who really knows and loves the area, and knows where to be when the light is best! Truly one of the highlights of my life – really! I’ll be back soon for sure!
Hey Doug
Ya know, there has been long talk of road building up thru Chitistone Pass, Skolai Pass, and off into the Yukon. I doubt it’ll ever happen, but who knows how such things work, eh? I sure hope it never happens!
Thanks so much for the kind words – too kind. But I appreciate them, and look forward to seeing you again up here in Alaska. It was a great trip, for sure. Thank you.
Cheers
Carl