In the 1980s, Steve left his job as a teacher in the Lower 48 and drove up to Alaska with his family to pursue a dream to live on the land. Over the next ten years, Steve and his wife Kathy ran sled dogs, maintained a trap line, and raised their dau

In the 1980s, Steve left his job as a teacher in the Lower 48 and drove up to Alaska with his family to pursue a dream to live on the land. Over the next ten years, Steve and his wife Kathy ran sled dogs, maintained a trap line, and raised their daughter without electricity hundreds of miles from the nearest city.

Steve and his wife Kathy, along with the help of a friend, built this wood cabin by hand in the 1980s. To this day, there is no electricity, cell phone service, and the nearest town of 20 people is 20 miles away.

Steve and his wife Kathy, along with the help of a friend, built this wood cabin by hand in the 1980s. To this day, there is no electricity, cell phone service, and the nearest town of 20 people is 20 miles away.

In this part of the Arctic, air temperatures can drop to -50° F and direct sunlight all but disappears below the horizon from November to January. Access is also limited to small aircraft, dog teams, and snowmobiles.

In this part of the Arctic, air temperatures can drop to -50° F and direct sunlight all but disappears below the horizon from November to January. Access is also limited to small aircraft, dog teams, and snowmobiles.

In order to get to Steve’s remote cabin in the fall, Eric helped boat me and my supplies in a freight style canoe for two days upriver. Eric and his family live in Bettles year round.

In order to get to Steve’s remote cabin in the fall, Eric helped boat me and my supplies in a freight style canoe for two days upriver. Eric and his family live in Bettles year round.

During the boat ride upriver, Eric and I came across the mysterious remains of an old tractor on the edge of the forest. It was unclear how the tractor got there or who left it, but it had probably broke down and was left for good in the Taiga.

During the boat ride upriver, Eric and I came across the mysterious remains of an old tractor on the edge of the forest. It was unclear how the tractor got there or who left it, but it had probably broke down and was left for good in the Taiga.

Steve relies on his headlamp and lanterns to split kindling and keep the fire going around midnight on October 15, 2020.

Steve relies on his headlamp and lanterns to split kindling and keep the fire going around midnight on October 15, 2020.

As winter begins to set in this far North, direct sunlight quickly becomes an ever precious commodity. In January, the average length of daylight is four hours.

As winter begins to set in this far North, direct sunlight quickly becomes an ever precious commodity. In January, the average length of daylight is four hours.

Steve and his young dog Loki test out the dangerous ice during the early stages of winter near his remote cabin in the Arctic on October 18, 2020.

Steve and his young dog Loki test out the dangerous ice during the early stages of winter near his remote cabin in the Arctic on October 18, 2020.

Steve stands on the edge of a large bonfire as a day of wood clearing burns in the twilight. With nowhere to process garbage, and to avoid attracting large animals in the area, the best way to break things down that you cannot reuse is by burning.

Steve stands on the edge of a large bonfire as a day of wood clearing burns in the twilight. With nowhere to process garbage, and to avoid attracting large animals in the area, the best way to break things down that you cannot reuse is by burning.

Steve wanders through the forest looking for signs from the Athabaskan trappers who seasonally used the area before him.

Steve wanders through the forest looking for signs from the Athabaskan trappers who seasonally used the area before him.

Although Steve brought solar power to the area for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the only type of building power is by problem solving, using your hands, or hauling in reservoirs of gasoline.

Although Steve brought solar power to the area for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the only type of building power is by problem solving, using your hands, or hauling in reservoirs of gasoline.

Steve looks out over the country while scouting for moose during the rut in the Brooks Range on Wednesday, October 4, 2020. Getting a moose in the fall is a critical part of the seasonal cycle and can provide meat for the entire winter if stored pro

Steve looks out over the country while scouting for moose during the rut in the Brooks Range on Wednesday, October 4, 2020. Getting a moose in the fall is a critical part of the seasonal cycle and can provide meat for the entire winter if stored properly.

In Native Alaskan culture, it is said the lights will come down and take you away if you whistle or draw attention to yourself. The Aurora borealis ripples over the taiga almost every night during the winter in northern Alaska.

In Native Alaskan culture, it is said the lights will come down and take you away if you whistle or draw attention to yourself. The Aurora borealis ripples over the taiga almost every night during the winter in northern Alaska.

In the 1980s, Steve left his job as a teacher in the Lower 48 and drove up to Alaska with his family to pursue a dream to live on the land. Over the next ten years, Steve and his wife Kathy ran sled dogs, maintained a trap line, and raised their dau
Steve and his wife Kathy, along with the help of a friend, built this wood cabin by hand in the 1980s. To this day, there is no electricity, cell phone service, and the nearest town of 20 people is 20 miles away.
In this part of the Arctic, air temperatures can drop to -50° F and direct sunlight all but disappears below the horizon from November to January. Access is also limited to small aircraft, dog teams, and snowmobiles.
In order to get to Steve’s remote cabin in the fall, Eric helped boat me and my supplies in a freight style canoe for two days upriver. Eric and his family live in Bettles year round.
During the boat ride upriver, Eric and I came across the mysterious remains of an old tractor on the edge of the forest. It was unclear how the tractor got there or who left it, but it had probably broke down and was left for good in the Taiga.
Steve relies on his headlamp and lanterns to split kindling and keep the fire going around midnight on October 15, 2020.
As winter begins to set in this far North, direct sunlight quickly becomes an ever precious commodity. In January, the average length of daylight is four hours.
Steve and his young dog Loki test out the dangerous ice during the early stages of winter near his remote cabin in the Arctic on October 18, 2020.
Steve stands on the edge of a large bonfire as a day of wood clearing burns in the twilight. With nowhere to process garbage, and to avoid attracting large animals in the area, the best way to break things down that you cannot reuse is by burning.
Steve wanders through the forest looking for signs from the Athabaskan trappers who seasonally used the area before him.
Although Steve brought solar power to the area for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the only type of building power is by problem solving, using your hands, or hauling in reservoirs of gasoline.
Steve looks out over the country while scouting for moose during the rut in the Brooks Range on Wednesday, October 4, 2020. Getting a moose in the fall is a critical part of the seasonal cycle and can provide meat for the entire winter if stored pro
In Native Alaskan culture, it is said the lights will come down and take you away if you whistle or draw attention to yourself. The Aurora borealis ripples over the taiga almost every night during the winter in northern Alaska.

In the 1980s, Steve left his job as a teacher in the Lower 48 and drove up to Alaska with his family to pursue a dream to live on the land. Over the next ten years, Steve and his wife Kathy ran sled dogs, maintained a trap line, and raised their daughter without electricity hundreds of miles from the nearest city.

Steve and his wife Kathy, along with the help of a friend, built this wood cabin by hand in the 1980s. To this day, there is no electricity, cell phone service, and the nearest town of 20 people is 20 miles away.

In this part of the Arctic, air temperatures can drop to -50° F and direct sunlight all but disappears below the horizon from November to January. Access is also limited to small aircraft, dog teams, and snowmobiles.

In order to get to Steve’s remote cabin in the fall, Eric helped boat me and my supplies in a freight style canoe for two days upriver. Eric and his family live in Bettles year round.

During the boat ride upriver, Eric and I came across the mysterious remains of an old tractor on the edge of the forest. It was unclear how the tractor got there or who left it, but it had probably broke down and was left for good in the Taiga.

Steve relies on his headlamp and lanterns to split kindling and keep the fire going around midnight on October 15, 2020.

As winter begins to set in this far North, direct sunlight quickly becomes an ever precious commodity. In January, the average length of daylight is four hours.

Steve and his young dog Loki test out the dangerous ice during the early stages of winter near his remote cabin in the Arctic on October 18, 2020.

Steve stands on the edge of a large bonfire as a day of wood clearing burns in the twilight. With nowhere to process garbage, and to avoid attracting large animals in the area, the best way to break things down that you cannot reuse is by burning.

Steve wanders through the forest looking for signs from the Athabaskan trappers who seasonally used the area before him.

Although Steve brought solar power to the area for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the only type of building power is by problem solving, using your hands, or hauling in reservoirs of gasoline.

Steve looks out over the country while scouting for moose during the rut in the Brooks Range on Wednesday, October 4, 2020. Getting a moose in the fall is a critical part of the seasonal cycle and can provide meat for the entire winter if stored properly.

In Native Alaskan culture, it is said the lights will come down and take you away if you whistle or draw attention to yourself. The Aurora borealis ripples over the taiga almost every night during the winter in northern Alaska.

show thumbnails