THE GREAT NORTHERN PROJECT

In 2008, I set out on my first road trip to northern Canada and Alaska. Over the course of four weeks, I was struck by the sheer scale, remoteness, and breathtaking beauty of British Columbia, the Yukon, and Alaska. That journey left a lasting impression, and I promised myself I would return.

 

In 2021, I made good on that promise with a shorter three week trip that took me as far as Kluane Lake, west of Whitehorse in the Yukon. But even before that, in 2019, I had already begun dreaming of a much more ambitious journey: an overland expedition to the Arctic Ocean via the remote Dempster Highway. That 2021 trip cemented my decision to plan a full scale adventure for the summer and fall of 2023, a 10 week, 14,000 kilometre overlanding, fly fishing, and photography journey.

 

Planning the trip took nearly four years. I had to choose the right vehicle to handle the terrain safely and reliably, select a camping setup that could double as both home and office, and sort out countless other logistics for such an extended adventure. On August 2, 2023, I finally headed north toward the Arctic Ocean.

 

Along the way, I stopped at lodges and vacation rentals to photograph them for my commercial photography business. After four weeks on the road, I met up with my brother, Hans Arnold, a well known fine art photographer based in Manitoba. We traveled together for another four weeks, reaching the Arctic Ocean before looping south through the remote towns of McCarthy, Valdez, Haines, and Skagway in southeast Alaska. I was also lucky to spend a few days camping in the Yukon with my daughter and grandson before returning to British Columbia for a few more client shoots on the way home.

 

On day 67, I returned home to a joyful reunion with my wife and the welcome comforts of city life. The journey was packed with adventure, and its fair share of misadventures. The north is a place that defies description. No single word can capture what the eyes behold. Much of what I saw can only be shared through photographs and video, inviting viewers to interpret the wonder for themselves.

 

Whenever internet access allowed, I shared updates on Facebook, offering a small glimpse into the scope of this unforgettable expedition. What began as an idea in 2019 became The Great Northern Project, a creative journey that will continue to inspire and provide value for years to come.

 

I returned with over 25,000 images and video clips, enough to fuel fine art photography releases and YouTube content for the foreseeable future. Many of these works will be available for purchase through this website as I continue to share the story of the north, one image at a time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CAPTURE REEL ADVENTURE YOUTUBE CHANNEL

For over 40 years, I’ve explored the remote corners of British Columbia, the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Alaska, traveling by highway, backroad, and trail. Along the way, I’ve combined a love of offroading, hiking, and fly fishing in some of the wildest and most beautiful places in the North.

 

This channel shares those adventures, from quick day trips to multi week overlanding expeditions. You’ll discover hard to reach locations, get insight into the planning and gear that makes these trips possible, and hear real stories of challenges, surprises, and unforgettable moments.

 

You’ll also find The Great Northern Project here, a 14,000 kilometre journey to the Arctic Ocean and back, years in the making. The Capture Reel Adventure Youtube Channel.

 

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OLD BARNS CANADA FACEBOOK GROUP

The Old Barns Canada Facebook group was created to support positive discussion and education about Canadian heritage barns. It is also a place to discover barn related services and products from across the country.

 

Members are encouraged to share links to websites, articles, books, documents, photos, artwork, video, social media posts, and any other media that help educate and inspire appreciation for old Canadian barns and farm life.

 

Photographers from coast to coast regularly contribute images that capture the beauty and history of these barns from those that have vanished, to those on the brink, to the ones still standing strong. Thousands of photos have been shared in this group, and each one is a piece of our collective heritage.

 

Wheelie Wednesday highlights the many types of farm machinery and vehicle wheels that once played a vital role in rural life. These forgotten relics now serve as endless inspiration for the many photographers who share their work here. Farmhouse Fridays features the old homes some abandoned, some still lived in, that stand beside the barns and fields of rural Canada.