Stories

On the serious subject of personal safety in the Arctic

I’ve spent over two decades working in remote and extreme environments in the North. I’m not a big risk taker, but my work involves being in places that have plenty of inherent risks. You need to find your comfort zone and know your limits, and you also need to remember that if you get into trouble other people will put themselves at risk to help you. I have a family at home so I’m always reminding myself that certain risks aren’t worth it. Some of my friends are first responders and SAR techs, and they have families too. 

One March while cruising the Dempster Highway in North Yukon, I spotted a nice shot at the frozen edge of the Ogilvie River. It would be gorgeous: mountains and open water framed by a lip of ice with aurora dancing overhead, reflected in the river. But it was too risky on the ice. I decided it was a good way to die, and I kept going. A few weeks later I saw that shot online. The location and timing were distinctive – I’d seen the same frame and potential. It meant going out on the ice, and I think it was an insane thing to do. Maybe the photographer was on a rock, maybe he was in a drysuit. I hope he used a safe way to get there. 

Aurora photography involves being out in the cold, in winter, in the dark. You need to set safety thresholds and then stick to them. If you aren’t experienced below -20°C, then perhaps that’s your cut-off. If you travel alone, maybe you never walk more than 500 metres away from the road. Take lots of time to scout during daytime, and try to never show up at a location for the first time in the dark. Be methodical and organized – it will increase your safety.

That’s not to say that I haven’t had close calls. I sometimes go to a shallow, winding river less than an hour from home where there’s a nice stretch of open water lined with mountains. It’s not a deep river, so sometimes I wear hip-waders to move around. One time it was cold enough that my waders froze solid and ice was quickly building up. It was hard work to get out of the river, and I realized I’d been pushing it. 

Without a doubt, driving is the highest risk activity. Though the winter driving hazards are different in each country, all involve lots of driving in the dark. In Northern Europe, the roads are busy, icy and narrow with potential for head-on collisions. The snow-packed remote highways in northern North America have wider shoulders, but if you get into trouble it might be hours before someone comes along. Check highway reports regularly, and before leaving town ask at a service station for any new weather or driving information. Station attendants are often the first to hear when there are road closures, washouts or dangerous driving conditions. 

Be pro-active and manage your risks:

• Don’t get hit by a car. It’s tempting to just pull over, jump out and start shooting, but I’ve seen some scary near-misses on busy, dark roads. Carefully choose where you will pull off, or take the time to go around again. It’s not worth losing your life over some aurora.
• Take precautions when out on ice. It might be reasonable to think the ice is a metre thick, but springs and fractures can create dangerous conditions. If you spend a lot of time on frozen lakes and rivers, take an ice rescue course.
• Prepare well for extreme cold. Having problems in extreme conditions has serious consequences including frostbite, or worse. It’s not enough to dress warm. Ensure you have what you need to weather an emergency.
• Never turn your back on the ocean. Be cautious when shooting at night on rocks or in the intertidal zone. Know what the tide is doing, watch for rogue waves and take it slow.
• Prepare for wildlife encounters. Grizzly and black bears are active during autumn aurora season. Polar bears are a real risk in Greenland and parts of North America. Moose can pose a threat too.
• Have an emergency plan. Troubleshoot an emergency situation for each location. What are your communication and transportation options? Will language be an issue? Do you have first aid and extra medication?
• Buy travel medical insurance. Most circumpolar countries have excellent medical care, but it doesn’t mean they won’t send you a hefty bill.
• Get enough sleep. Being sleep deprived is probably the likeliest reason you will have an accident, damage equipment or make a mistake.
• Take it slow. Falling, tripping or slipping in the dark can have painful and expensive consequences. Take your time crossing uneven ground, slippery rocks, lava, logs and ice.
• Tell someone where you are. Using cel or sat phone, I text my location to my wife a couple times a day. I’m clear about when I will check in, and I always follow through.