Point Hope
Point Hope is an amazing place with a long and rich history. In 2019 I was lucky enough to have a project surveying a piece of property a few miles away from Point Hope, and was able to see the town and some of the surrounding tundra. Point Hope is best known for Bowhead Whale hunting, which has been occurring for over 2,000 years. There is evidence of the whale hunting everywhere in town, walking around town there are many ceremonial whale bones everywhere. You also see whale processing areas, traditional houses made of whale bones that had been occupied up until the 1960s when the last residents moved to the current town’s location. There is also a beautiful ceremonial cemetery ringed by whale bones. It was incredible to travel by 4-wheeler across the tundra to get to the property we were surveying. Along with the beautiful wildflowers and expansive views, I saw Musk Oxen with calves and the rugged Chukchi Sea coast.
Point Hope runway.
Lots of whale bones.
Traditional whale bone and sod house.
Whale mandible.
Whale mandible.
Whale bones.
Point Hope cemetery.
Very end of Point Hope.
Sand Pipers were flying everywhere.
Clear water pond at the end of Point Hope.
4-Wheeler on Point Hope area tundra.
Lake and wildflowers near Point Hope.
Musk Ox on the tundra.
4-Wheeler on Point Hope area tundra.
Birds flying on the Chukchi Sea coast.
Tundra near Point Hope.
Tundra near Point Hope.
Tundra Swans taking off.