Yukon // Thin Horn Sheep - Photo Blog

I’ve been incredibly lucky to be working on some projects with Jen & Kerry Shears for the TV Network WildTV. Our last documentary shoot took us in search of Thin Horn Sheep, deep in the mountains of the Yukon. I pull double duty as Video Camera Operator & Photographer, though even more so when you consider I craft the entire show as a one man band. Interviews, lighting, framing, focus, setting NDs for that bright 20 hours a day Yukon sun & audio are all up to me. Not to mention the lack of data drop or managing to maintain power for the cameras. All carried on my back.

Our expedition group consists of three Newfoundlanders, so our trip started out with a cross Canada flight. Three flights total, and almost 24 hours of travel.
The Vancouver to Whitehorse flight seemed to go by almost too quickly as I was glued to the window watching the sprawling mountains and glaciers.
X-T2 & 23mm f2

Whitehorse is a pretty awesome little town, containing almost every type of person. From high end traveler, to hunters, to van-life enthusiasts, it’s got a little something for everyone.

We threw our 100L packs into the back of the float plane, and Alpine Aviation took us on a short flight to base camp.

My simple camera set-up for video. The Fujifilm X-T3 rigged up with a few SmallRig parts, the Fujifilm 16-80mm f4 IS with a Tilta Focus Wheel, as well as the Rode Mic Go. Shoulder rig so I can save weight in taking a small tripod and no monopod. — My simple camera set-up for video. The Fujifilm X-T3 rigged up with a few SmallRig parts, the Fujifilm 16-80mm f4 IS with a Tilta Focus Wheel, as well as the Rode Mic Go & Lavs. Light shoulder rig so I can save weight in taking a small tripod and no monopod.

It was finally time to get going, with a full day of hiking on the horizon, including a few hours of straight up bush-wacking.

We immediately felt the pressure of the bugs and sun. So once we reached out first destination we searched for a place to set up camp that had access to water. X-T2 & 16mm f1.4

Yep, they were brutal. X-T2 & 16mm f1.4 — Yep, the bugs were brutal. X-T2 & 16mm f1.4

First day out in the mountains searching for sheep was unsuccessful, though we saw a few caribou and caught some beautiful views.

After a long day of glassing we returned to camp to plan our next moves.

Some of my gear, including a small solar charger that works pretty effectively due to the Yukon having almost 20 hours of daylight this time of year. Salomon set me up with a full set of hiking gear & and I would definitely recommend the Quest series boots for this style of trip. — Some of my gear, including a small solar charger that works pretty effectively due to the Yukon having almost 20 hours of daylight this time of year. I even got sunburnt overnight! Salomon set me up with a full set of hiking gear & and I would definitely recommend the Quest series boots for this style of trip.

The following day is spent trekking across the mountain range. Hoping to have better luck mid-way or on the far side of the range.

Jen returns from a water run just before some rain rolls in.X-T2 & 16mm f1.4 — Jen returns from a water run just before some rain rolls in.
X-T2 & 16mm f1.4

A quick rain storm rolls through that evening, we hop in in our tents and wait it out.

Aqua Quest Hooped Bivy keeping me dry. X-T2 & 16mm f1.4

The next morning we hiked to a really solid vantage point where could see our almost the entire mountain range.

We finally saw some rams deep in the edge of the range. Time to get (more) serious. Hiking started to get more intense as we had to scale the mountain range, and we had to keep a very low profile as to not spook the animals and ruin the stalk.

We descended, hiked around the ridge and called it a day. The next morning we found a new, closer, vantage point to watch the sheep.

Found some snow along the way. X-T2 & 16mm f1.4

And someone who had the same feelings about the flies as we did. X-T2 & 100-400mm

This next glassing point had an unreal view.

We pinpointed the location of the sheep and it was time for a steep hike to get in close.

After days of searching and climbing up, and down.. and up again, we finally found what we were looking for.

Just as large thunderstorm rolled in.. X-T2 & 16mm f1.4

We got ‘em.

The Rams cooling off in the snow. We watched around 20-30 of them climb all around us.

While our attention was focused on the far rams, we didn’t notice a couple young rams creep up alongside us. They passed right in front of our faces, a few feet away. Due to the wind direction we were able to stay completely still and not spook them. We did get some inquisitive looks as they went to join the rest of the group. Breathtaking.

It was time to start the descent back down to our camp before we got swallowed up by the rain and darkness.

Grabbing some water from the melting snow patch. Best water I’ve tasted in a long time. The views weren’t bad either. X-T2 & 16mm f1.4

Making it back to base just as the sunsets. X-T2 & 16mm f1.4

The bugs grabbing one last meal before we head out. X-T2 & 16mm f1.4

Our guide after the hike out to basecamp. X-T2 & 16mm f1.4

Storm rolled in just as we got back to camp. X-T2 & 100-400mm

The fog clung to the mountains leaving us at basecamp for a few extra days waiting until it was safe for the plane to lift us out.

I was back in Whitehorse offloading footage and getting a much needed shower. 2 Terabytes of of photos and video later I was heading back to Newfoundland.

Such an amazing trip, thanks a million to Jen & Kerry Shears for taking me along on this crazy adventure.

Jake DicksFebruary 17, 2022Comment

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