Acacia Johnson

Photographer

acaciajohnson.com

Exploring Denali's Glaciers: No Climbing Required

Follow Hire

Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Nationality: USA

Biography: Acacia Johnson is an artist and photographer from Alaska. Drawn to remote places and otherworldly landscapes, her work has focused on the environment, conservation, and the connections between people and place. After receiving a Fulbright grant to... MORE

A flightseeing plane is dwarfed...9;s endless peaks and glaciers.

A flightseeing plane is dwarfed by the cliffs of Denali's Ruth Glacier. Throughout the summer, pilots taking off from Talkeetna, Healy and Anchorage take small groups of passengers on airborne day trips to explore Denali's endless peaks and glaciers.

The view from the inside of a f...lacier from Talkeetna, Alaska.

The view from the inside of a flightseeing plane headed towards Denali's Ruth Glacier from Talkeetna, Alaska.

A flightseeing passenger takes ... skis on this glacial airstrip.

A flightseeing passenger takes in the views of Denali's Ruth Glacier. Throughout the summer, pilots taking off from Talkeetna, Healy, and Anchorage take small groups of passengers on airborne day trips to explore Denali's glaciers, typically landing on skis on this glacial airstrip.

The Sheldon Mountain House sits...t on Denali's glaciers.

The Sheldon Mountain House sits perched atop a nunatak - a spire of rock protruding from a glacier - that overlooks Denali's spectacular Ruth Ampitheater. This simple hut with panoramic windows was built by legendary Alaskan bush pilot Don Sheldon in 1966. Today, it and its upscale sister hut, the Sheldon Chalet, are the only privately-owned buildings that offer travelers a chance to spend a night on Denali's glaciers.

A young woman from Anchorage, A...ali National Park and Preserve.

A young woman from Anchorage, Alaska relaxes during a weekend of backcountry skiing on Ruth Glacier in Denali National Park and Preserve.

Visitors enjoy morning coffee i...e to the nearby Sheldon Chalet.

Visitors enjoy morning coffee in the Sheldon Mountain House on Denali. Although independent travelers need certain backcountry skills - visitors must bring their own food and gear, and haul it 1/3 of a mile up to the hut across steep, snowy terrain – the hut provides panoramic views, a shelter from the elements, and a budget-friendly alternative to the nearby Sheldon Chalet.

Morning sun fills the Sheldon M...bush pilot Don Sheldon in 1966.

Morning sun fills the Sheldon Mountain House. This simple hut with panoramic windows was built by legendary Alaskan bush pilot Don Sheldon in 1966.

Traveling by rope team for safe...enced skiers can hire a guide.

Traveling by rope team for safety, two women from Anchorage, Alaska traverse the Ruth Glacier in Denali National Park and Preserve. While skiing on glaciers demands safety precautions such as avalanche and crevasse rescue skills, local terrain knowledge, and emergency survival equipment, a nice day makes for easy spring skiing. Less experienced skiers can hire a guide.

Traveling by rope team for safe... on the Ruth Glacier.

Traveling by rope team for safety, a woman from Anchorage, Alaska enjoys a spectacular day of spring skiing on the Ruth Glacier.

Perched at 6,000 feet atop a nu...ustom-designed for each group.

Perched at 6,000 feet atop a nunatak in the Ruth Amphitheater, the Sheldon Chalet — a luxury lodge built by the children of legendary bush pilot Don Sheldon — opened in 2018. Travelers interested in an upscale experience are flown into the lodge by helicopter, with itineraries custom-designed for each group.

Perched at 6,000 feet atop a nu...custom-designed for each group.

The commons seating area in the...uring panoramic glacial views.

The commons seating area in the Sheldon Chalet, the only luxury lodge in Denali National Park, featuring panoramic glacial views.

A bedroom in the Sheldon Chalet...;s only luxury hotel.

A bedroom in the Sheldon Chalet, Denali National Park's only luxury hotel.

Traveling by rope team for safe...na also offer guided ski trips.

Traveling by rope team for safety, two skiers traverse the Ruth Glacier in Denali National Park and Preserve. While skiing on glaciers demands safety precautions such as avalanche and crevasse rescue skills, local terrain knowledge, and emergency survival equipment, a nice day makes for easy spring skiing. Local outfitters from Talkeetna also offer guided ski trips.

Traveling by rope team for safe...ienced skiers can hire a guide.

A flightseeing plane is dwarfed by the cliffs of Denali's glacial amphitheaters. Throughout the summer, pilots taking off from Talkeetna, Healy, and Anchorage take small groups of passengers on airborne day trips to explore Denali's endless peaks and glaciers.

The view from the inside of a f...39;s glacial valleys.

The view from the inside of a flightseeing plane over Denali's glacial valleys.

Nagley's Store in Talke...ntures that begin and end here.

Nagley's Store in Talkeetna, Alaska - a gateway town for climbers headed for Denali. Many of Talkeetna's historic shops and inns preserve the legacy of climbing adventures that begin and end here.

One of the most popular food st...ntures that begin and end here.

One of the most popular food stops in Talkeetna, Alaska is the Spinach Bread food truck. Many of Talkeetna's historic shops and inns preserve the spirit of climbing adventures that begin and end here.

Popular with climbers and visit... glacial sightseeing.

Popular with climbers and visitors alike, the Denali Brewing Co in Talkeetna, Alaska, is a great spot to unwind after a day of glacial sightseeing.

PLAY

STOP

GRID

FULL

LOVE

Thumbnail of A flightseeing plane is dwarfed _39;s endless peaks and glaciers.

Thumbnail of The view from the inside of a fl_Glacier from Talkeetna, Alaska.

Thumbnail of A flightseeing passenger takes i_n skis on this glacial airstrip.

Thumbnail of The Sheldon Mountain House sits _ht on Denali's glaciers.

Thumbnail of A young woman from Anchorage, Al_nali National Park and Preserve.

Thumbnail of Visitors enjoy morning coffee in_ve to the nearby Sheldon Chalet.

Thumbnail of Morning sun fills the Sheldon Mo_ bush pilot Don Sheldon in 1966.

Thumbnail of Traveling by rope team for safet_ienced skiers can hire a guide.

Thumbnail of Traveling by rope team for safet_g on the Ruth Glacier.

Thumbnail of Perched at 6,000 feet atop a nun_custom-designed for each group.

Thumbnail of The commons seating area in the _turing panoramic glacial views.

Thumbnail of A bedroom in the Sheldon Chalet,_9;s only luxury hotel.

Thumbnail of Traveling by rope team for safet_tna also offer guided ski trips.

Thumbnail of Traveling by rope team for safet_rienced skiers can hire a guide.

Thumbnail of The view from the inside of a fl_#39;s glacial valleys.

Thumbnail of Nagley's Store in Talkee_entures that begin and end here.

Thumbnail of One of the most popular food sto_entures that begin and end here.

Thumbnail of Popular with climbers and visito_f glacial sightseeing.

Private Story

Exploring Denali's Glaciers: No Climbing Required

Copyright Acacia Johnson 2024

Updated May 2020

Topics Adventure, Aerial, Alaska, Aviation, Denali National Park, Essays, Glaciers, Joy, Mountains, Photography, Ruth Glacier, Skiing, Travel

Brief Synopsis:

Denali, the highest mountain in North America, is a mountaineer's dream—but travelers to Alaska don't necessarily need backcountry skills to explore its majestic glacial amphitheaters. A snow airstrip located on Denali's Ruth Glacier can be accessed by ski plane year-round, making its spectacular wilderness accessible to travelers of most mobility levels. Learn how to experience Denali's glaciers by flightseeing day-trips from the charming mountain town of Talkeetna; by staying in a historic hut or luxurious chalet perched on a glacial nunatak; or by ski touring on the glacier itself.

142

Acacia Johnson

Also by Acacia Johnson —

Alaskan Pilots

Polar Paradox

To Know The Earth From Above

RECENT

Salmon vs. Gold - new

Visura Takeover - Draft

Quarantine Diary

Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award

Antarctic Snow Algae

INSTALLATIONS

Nordic Refuge

ARCTIC

ANTARCTICA

Boundaries of Life & Stillness

Love, Death, and the Ocean

AIALIK