January 26, 2008

Snow patrol

The Last Frontier state is massive - and pretty much deserted. Simon Mills revs up his snowmobile and guns through the hard-packed winter wilderness

Alaska — Alaska by snow machine. Temperature around -35C. Outfit a cross between Darth Vader and Dr Zoidberg from Futurama Photograph: Simon Mills

Alaska — Outside the post office in the middle of nowhere Photograph: Simon Mills

Alaska — Not far from warmth. I'd never seen snow like it Photograph: Simon Mills

Alaska — The vast spectacular ice cave at Skookum in Placer Valley Photograph: Simon Mills

Alaska — Climbing the ice Photograph: Simon Mills

Alaska — Back in the saddle...on an Alaskan snow safari Photograph: Simon Mills

Alaska — Dog-mushing is a big deal - the major competitive sport - in these parts Photograph: Simon Mills

Alaska — Unfortunately, this man, out training for the Iditarod, had taken a wrong turn Photograph: Simon Mills

Alaska — But he just kept going, face bare to the elements, flush and cold blasted Photograph: Simon Mills

Alaska — This is proper backwoods territory, raw wilderness wearing its inhospitality like a blanket Photograph: Simon Mills

Alaska — The end...your correspondent raw, cold and tired Photograph: Simon Mills

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