Preserving Absence:
An exploration of trail-less wilderness
Denali National Park and Preserve is where I truly fell in love with the outdoors. I'd spent two summers in Yellowstone and done a lot of hiking and backpacking—but I'd never really sunk deeply into a single area.
So in May 2008, I packed all my things into a Ford passenger van and drove north from Wasilla, Alaska; to the entrance area of the park, where we stocked up on supplies and caught some zzz's; and then the entirety of the 95-ish mile park road, through the most incredible landscapes I'd ever seen with the tallest mountain in North America looking over all; finally arriving at Denali Backcountry Lodge, my home for the summer.
I once ventured 30 miles east to Eilson Visitor Center for a hike. But otherwise, I stayed within a few miles of my bunkhouse in Kantishna. I led the same local hikes over and over, day in and day out, no matter the weather, all summer long. I got to know the land, rocks, plants, animals, and streams. I learned that a whole other level of connection to and affection for a place was possible. And I learned that nothing will connect you to a place more quickly and deeply than multi-day trips without a single human-made trail in sight.
That summer plus another led me to graduate school, studying GIS, cartography, and geography at the University of Oregon.
I once ventured 30 miles east to Eilson Visitor Center for a hike. But otherwise, I stayed within a few miles of my bunkhouse in Kantishna. I led the same local hikes over and over, day in and day out, no matter the weather, all summer long. I got to know the land, rocks, plants, animals, and streams. I learned that a whole other level of connection to and affection for a place was possible. And I learned that nothing will connect you to a place more quickly and deeply than multi-day trips without a single man-made trail in sight.
That summer plus another led me to graduate school, studying GIS, cartography, and geography at the University of Oregon.
The Environmental Studies program was thankfully open-minded about allowing a Master's Project rather than a thesis; and even more open-minded about letting me create an atlas espousing the deep benefits and experiential uniqueness of off-trail hiking.
This book was a culmination of my three years guiding, backpacking, and packrafting in Alaska with my graduate school skills, combining original cartography, photography, prose, and book design.
I hope you enjoy it, And if you ever have a chance to hike without a trail, embrace the difficulties. There are so many rewards on the other side!
Other Projects
Media and Design at Rocky Mountain National ParkCartography and Graphic Design
Atlas of YellowstoneUniversity of Oregon
Map of Death Valley National ParkUS National Park Service
Map of Rocky Mountain National ParkUS National Park Service
Map of Capitol Reef National ParkUS National Park Service
Map of Isle Royale National ParkUS National Park Service
Bird's Eye View of White Sands National MonumentUS National Park Service
Geologic Diagram of the Grand StaircaseUS National Park Service
Map of Golden Gate National Recreation AreaUS National Park Service
Map of Point Reyes National SeashoreUS National Park Service
Map of Lake Mead National Recreation AreaUS National Park Service
Bird's Eye View of Big Hole National BattlefieldUS National Park Service