Although I’ve been putting off posting about my experience at the Wrangell Mountains Center until I had the chance to print more from what I shot there, I’ve grown impatient and have decided to share.  My two-week residency in McCarthy, Alaska was an eye-opening experience; for the first time in my life, I focused all my daily efforts toward creating art, exploring history and the ruins while taking in the endless beauty of a remote slice of Alaska.

After arriving late my first day, I eagerly started my second day early by catching the shuttle to the Kennecott Mines National Historical Landmark – its towering, 14-story crimson monolith is not only one of the most iconic mining structures in the state but its unique natural setting has provided me endless inspiration through the years.  Located at the confluence of the Kennicott (yes, note the spelling difference) and Root Glacier and at the foot of the towering Bonanza Peak, Kennecott’s unspoiled beauty can’t be beat.

Perhaps more of a personal challenge than anything, I set my eyes on hiking up to the support mines at the top of Bonanza Peak. Three years ago, when Phil Ackley and I visited the area, inclement weather turned us around before we made it to one of Kennecott’s three major mines. That failure has been a constant itch since then – so I set my eyes on conquering the trail to Bonanza.  Perched at the top of Bonanza Peak, these mines fed the processing plant at the edge of the glacier and, unlike Kennecott, were left to decay while the concentration mill in the valley was saved by NPS restoration efforts.

Certainly, Bonanza Mine isn’t the most rigorous or lengthy hike out there – but it was a suitable challenge for someone as out-of-shape as I am. That said, during its 5-mile hike, the trail raises nearly 4000 feet, making the trail a significant (and relentless) uphill struggle.  Planning on overnighting and overpacking for every possible emergency made my pack extremely heavy – especially seeing that I soloed the trail. What did save me was a recent purchase of a Mamiya 7 and a Fujifilm x100t – keeping the overall weight of my camera gear to somewhere around a quarter to half of what I had the last time I attempted Bonanza.

Although I could sum up the trip (as well being awe-struck by the beauty of the mountain) in words, I feel that I’ve done a fairly good job expressing it in the video I’ve posted here.  The video also features several images created during my residency – some Cyanotypes and Van Dyke Browns as well.  Please forgive the quality of editing, as this is my first real attempt at editing in iMovie – but do let me know what you think (click the quality button for 1080p):