1955 Map of De Long Mountains C-5

About this map

Thetis Creek and the Ipewik River dominate this portion of the western Brooks Range, flowing through an environment defined by high-elevation divides and dramatic relief. The topography, based on aerial photographs taken in the 1950s by the Geological Survey, reveals a landscape of stark contrasts, from the braided channels of the Nilik River to the prominent heights of Thetis Ridge and Beckett Ridge. The map documents a time when the region was primarily accessible only for scientific observation and surveying, as evidenced by the lack of any man-made roads or trails. This 1955 survey provides an essential record of the pristine drainage patterns and geological formations before modern mapping technologies redefined our view of the North Slope.