1955 Map of De Long Mountains C-5

About this map

Thetis Ridge and Beckett Ridge dominate this interior Alaskan landscape, defining the high ground between significant Arctic drainage systems. This 1955 survey, mapped by the U.S. Army Topographic Command, captures the wilderness prior to modern resource development, focusing on the winding course of the Ipewik River as it cuts through the southern half of the quadrangle. The topography reveals a complex network of unnamed seasonal drainages feeding into the Nilik River and Thetis Creek, illustrating the natural hydrological patterns of the North Slope. Lacking any roads or established settlements, the map serves as a primary record of the terrain as it was navigated by indigenous hunters and early geological surveyors in the mid-20th century.