Patagonia to publish an account of the Arctic crisis, from the author of the bestselling Atlas of the National Parks   

In 1983 Jon Waterman worked as a ranger and his patrol to the Noatak River in Gates of the Arctic National Park sparked a lifetime fascination and trips into the remote regions of the North. He was astonished by the abundant wildlife above the Arctic Circle, amid a strange landscape and otherworldly light.                                                      After a hiatus from the Noatak headwaters, he returned with his son in 2021 and witnessed the change that he chronicled in the New York Times: "... Stunned Me.” In 2022, Waterman took a final, extended expedition “into the thaw” to document the environmental and cultural changes of the climate crisis. He covered more than 500 miles on foot and by packraft down the entire river, then up the coast, to meet with scientists, interview Iñupiat (Alaskan Inuit), investigate the many impacts of climate change, and celebrate the enduring beauty of the North. Despite the unfolding crisis, Into the Thaw is a book about wonder and one man’s life-changing experiences in the wilderness.

“Only Jon Waterman, with his decades of Arctic adventuring and his astounding reporter’s eye, could have written such an eloquent, impassioned, and essential ode to the far north.”—Michael Finkel, bestselling author of The Stranger in the Woods and The Art Thief

“Gripping first-hand account… full of stunning photographs… a sinuous, passionate memoir.”—Foreword Review [Indie journal]

 “A beautiful, compelling book about the profound effects of anthropogenic climate change on America’s last and grandest wilderness.” —Roman Dial, Arctic scientist and author of The Adventurer’s Son

“This lovely book is joy to read … a vivid view of wild beauty, collapsing villages, ice-scapes and tundra, deeply altered by a changing climate.”– Gretel Ehrlich, author of The Solace of Open Spaces and This Cold Heaven

"Profusely, beautifully, and effectively enhanced with full color photography throughout... is an exceptionally well written and informative account of environmental impact that is a solid and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Arctic Environmental Studies collections and supplemental Climate Change curriculum reading lists." —Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Among his many publications, Jon’s work has often appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Men’s Journal, Adventure, Climbing, and Sailing World; he is a frequent grantee of the National Geographic. By taking risks and tackling difficult issues, his work transcends traditional outdoor yarns and has garnered numerous awards, including a Literary Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts, three Best Adventure Book Awards from the Banff Book Festival, a National Park Service Special Achievement Award, and the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award. He lives in Carbondale, Colorado. 

Contact the author: jonwaterm[at]icloud[dot]com        To arrange a speaking engagement, contact: Authors Unbound- Haley Kastner 

                                              View my speaking profile here