ADVENTURE
The ‘Journey Through Yellowstone’ team skis across Yellowstone Lake in a whiteout. PHOTO BY RICK SMITH
BACK INTO THE WILD
New film documents wildlife photographer’s return to Yellowstone BY MARIA WYLLIE
The solitude you find in Yellowstone promotes an independence of spirit. These experiences refresh our lives, teach us self-reliance, and reveal the wisdom of the cycles of the land. – Tom Murphy, “Silence & Solitude”
Wildlife photographer Tom Murphy isn’t like most people. He’s happy in places where most folks are miserable. But it means he gets far-off places to himself, save for the wild animals and changing landscapes he photographs. “I’m an oddball. I like to be outside, and I like to be out in bad weather,” Murphy says. “That’s when it’s more interesting.” Photography has led Murphy around the world, but Yellowstone National Park remains his favorite muse. He was the first person licensed to lead photography tours in Yellowstone, and each year he averages 80-100 days in the park. Murphy’s fascination with the wilderness drove him to ski through Yellowstone’s backcountry alone in 1985. 34 Explore Yellowstone explorebigsky.com
Through blinding snowstorms and with only a blue tarp for shelter, Murphy covered nearly 175 miles in 14 days. The journey tested his mettle. “The truth is that solo trip … gave me a lot of confidence,” Murphy says. “Not just that I can ski across Yellowstone National Park but that I can do anything I want.” Now, at 66, Murphy continues to battle winter elements for the sake of experiencing wild places. “Yellowstone is truly as wild as it gets, and I love that,” he says. Last winter, Murphy retraced his 1985 route across Yellowstone, but this time brought a film crew to document the journey. Five skilled outdoorsmen joined Murphy on the expedition: retired Yellowstone park ranger Brian Chan; Murphy’s nephew and regular camping partner Clay Dykstra; award-winning filmmakers Shane Moore and Rick Smith; and porter John Williams, who shouldered much of the supplies and video gear. “All five of them are terrific people to travel with,” Murphy said during an interview following the trip. “Even after beating ourselves up for 15 days, everyone’s telling jokes and having a great time at the end.”