Jon Waterman — National Geographic photographer, rugged adventurer, award-winning author — is publishing a new book, “Into the Thaw: Witnessing Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis,” a firsthand account of climate change in the Arctic Circle.
Waterman had the first winter ascent of Mt. Denali’s Cassin Ridge in 1982; he’s kayaked North America’s Northwest Passage; boated the Colorado River from source to sea and once sailed to Hawaii. Still, he says, “Into the Thaw” is his most important work yet. “In many ways, it’s the capstone of my career,” he told The Sopris Sun.
Four decades ago, Waterman worked as a rescue ranger at Denali National Park in Alaska. There he witnessed abundant wildlife and began documenting the natural wonders and cultural heritage with his camera and pen. He returned to those lands in 2021 with his son and subsequently wrote an op-ed for The New York Times about the changes he witnessed. “I was quite stunned,” he said of returning to the Noatak River, a place he hadn’t been in more than 30 years. Covering 100 miles with his son, they saw only one caribou, compared with hundreds he spotted in 1983. “The migration has completely changed,” he said. “The herd has shrunken to a third of its size.”
In 2022, he returned for an extended expedition with kayaker and photographer Chris Korbulic, traversing more than 500 miles by foot and packraft, meeting with scientists and the Iñupiat (native Alaskan Inuit people). “Into the Thaw” is a photograph-rich adventure memoir laden with scholarly research and cultural anecdotes, carried by humor and charm. It is also an introspective look at aging and the changes one experiences in a lifetime. In recent weeks, Waterman has traveled the country, presenting his new book published by Patagonia.
“I’ve worked with many of the major [publishing] houses,” Waterman said, having produced four books with National Geographic. “No one has treated me as well as Patagonia. It’s a real pleasure working with them.” He saw Patagonia as the perfect partner to publish this work based on their ethos as a corporation striving to make the world a better place. Not only was the book printed on 100% recycled paper, it was done in Canada to minimize transportation.
“Amazingly, more than any other book, I knew exactly how to write this one,” Waterman continued. “I had all these years collectively of time in the arctic where I actually observed climate change.” Despite a tremendous amount of research, “the book just flowed right out of me.”
Waterman first became aware of climate change in the arctic back in 1997. During that trip he spent eight days kayaking alone. Sheltering with Inuit in a hunting camp, he was told by an elder that until the ‘90s, sled races continued through July 4. Then it warmed so much there was no longer enough snow in the late spring and early summer.
The Iñupiat people have ancestors extending back to the most recent ice age. “They have been here through the millenia,” Waterman said. “They have weathered enormous change. Consequently, they’ve become adaptive people.” Inuit inventions include the harpoon, kayak, trampolines, the sled dog and even a visor akin to sunglasses to protect from snow blindness.
Reverence for the Iñupiat is a big part of the book. “Indigenous cultures of the world are going to suffer the most during this time of climate crisis,” Waterman explained. “They’re subsistence people and have contributed the least to greenhouse gasses. Yet, they suffer the most from our jet travel.” Nonetheless, he found the Iñupiat to be “not resentful or cynical in the least bit.” His takeaway, “We can’t stop climate change, but we can think about reducing its impacts for indigenous peoples of the world, let alone ourselves.” His book concludes with tips for taking action.
Since 1989, Waterman has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley. On Nov. 22, he will give a lecture at the Third Street Center as a fundraiser for The Sopris Sun. White River Books will have copies available to purchase — a great holiday gift — which Waterman will sign. Waterman is waiving his honorarium and donations will be accepted at the door.
The book is 70,000 words with 78 color photographs and detailed maps. It is officially available Nov. 19. Learn more about Jon Waterman at www.jonathanwaterman.com