Juneau, Alaska
About this Collection
This collection is special insofar that the Alaska trip was planned well over 2 years ago as of writing and posting this. The trip was planned in order to see Steven Ireland Haight, Addison's former roommate. This collection will include some background into Steven followed by some excerpts and adventures from his hometown, Juneau AK.
All shot on:
Olympus XA | 35mm | Ultramax 400 or Kentmere 400
Steven Ireland Haight
Steven-Ireland Haight, went to Arizona State University between 2019 and 2022 pursuing a degree in Forensic Psychology and Criminology & Criminal Justice. During this time, Steven was working as an RA, in which he dormed with Addison. During the summer he also pursued a project, which Addison and I edited, in which he kayaked from Juneau AK to Seattle, WA which took 13 weeks to achieve. He works during the summer as a glacier guide for the Mendenhall Glacier (Aak’wtaaksit, the official name given by the Tlingit), while finishing his degree in British Columbia.
Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier (in Tlingit language “Sít”) is a glacier about 13.6 miles (21.9 km) long located in Mendenhall Valley, about 12 miles (19 km) from downtown Juneau in the southeast area of the U.S. state of Alaska.[2] The glacier and surrounding landscape is protected as part of the 5,815 acres (2,353 ha) Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, a federally designated unit of the Tongass National Forest.[3]
Steven decided to bring Addison and me up to the Glacier to show us where he works as well as some ice caves. While this would take 10 minutes by helicopter it took us close to 10 hours round trip by foot.
One especially unique part of the Glacier is Jökulhlaup, colloquially known as suicide basin, a basin which, since 2011 has been filling up releasing water from the glacier, annually flooding the town. This was something that Steven and his friends were waiting to empty so they could watch the streams overflow.
On The Glacier
Steven Family Cabin
To get the family cabin, constructed by Steven's dad and uncle on their few acres of land, we had to take the boat across the straight, passing through Lynn Canal, the largest fjord in North America. Steven's dad handed us a beer the second we got on his boat. As it turns out alcohol boats is a big part of the culture in Alaska.
We landed on the shore of Saint James Bay, below the Chilkat Mountains. To get onto the shore, we put on old chest waders and slowly brought the equipment onto the shore. Eventually, the tide went out, leaving the boat beached. On the island, Steven's dad gave us the chainsaws; they needed us to cut down trees for firewood for a big bonfire later that night. It goes unsaid that nothing can be done in Alaska without a beer in your hand.
After a day of hard work and exploration, they ended up creating a bonfire with all of the extra wood and debris from our labor. We cooked food on the grill while drinking beers by the fire. The beauty of the Alaskan wilderness is inexplicably beautiful and raw.
Perusing the City
After meeting some of Steven's coworkers, we were all invited to go out with them. We were brought first to a Karoke bar at the Alaskan Bar, followed by an electric bluegrass concert the following night at another nearby bar.
The aura given from the people in Juneau is very queer and crunchy, the way I'd imagine people in Vermont or Colorado would be. While the city may seem small it is full of vibrancy and energy.
