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Jonathan Waterman

ジョナサン・ウォーターマン

Jonathan Waterman

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1956-01-01 （Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Massachusetts (raised) → Colorado (resident since 1989) → Alaska (frequent residence/travel)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Adventurer, Photographer, Environmentalist, Filmmaker
Active Years
1982-2025
Affiliations
Appalachian Mountain Club, American Alpine Club, National Geographic Explorer
Memberships
Appalachian Mountain Club, American Alpine Club, National Geographic Explorers Network
Influenced By
Peter Matthiessen, Rachel Carson, Edward Abbey
Influenced
Contemporary environmental writers and conservationists

Awards

Cartography and Geographic Society 'Best Atlas of the Year Award'
2024
Work: Atlas of Wild America
Organization: Cartography and Geographic Society
Result: 受賞
Cartography and Geographic Society 'Best Atlas of the Year Award'
2019
Work: Atlas of the National Parks
Organization: Cartography and Geographic Society
Result: 受賞
Banff Mountain Book Festival 'Best Adventure Travel Book'
2010
Work: Running Dry
Organization: Banff Mountain Book Festival
Result: 受賞
Banff Mountain Book Festival 'Best Adventure Travel Book'
2001
Work: Arctic Crossing
Organization: Banff Mountain Book Festival
Result: 受賞
Banff Mountain Book Festival 'Best Adventure Travel Book'
1995
Work: Kayaking the Vermilion Sea
Organization: Banff Mountain Book Festival
Result: 受賞
Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award
2005
Work: Where Mountains Are Nameless
Organization: Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award
Result: 受賞
National Endowment for the Arts Literary Fellowship
2004
Work: Arctic Crossing
Organization: National Endowment for the Arts
Result: フェローシップ
Colorado State Council of the Arts Literary Award
2003
Organization: Colorado State Council of the Arts
Result: 受賞
American Alpine Club Literary Award
1996
Organization: American Alpine Club
Result: 受賞
National Park Service Special Achievement Award (Rescue Work)
1984
Organization: National Park Service
Result: 受賞
American Alpine Club Literary Award
1983
Work: Surviving Denali
Organization: American Alpine Club
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Surviving Denali

1983 Nonfiction (mountaineering/safety)

A study of accidents on Denali (Mount McKinley) analyzing patterns to reduce deaths and rescues; a mountaineering safety guide that has been reprinted over decades.

mountaineering safetyhistory of climbing

High Alaska

1988 Nonfiction (guide/history)

A historical guide to Denali, Mount Foraker and Mount Hunter combining climbing history, routes and personal stories from early ascensionists.

climbing historyroute guide

In the Shadow of Denali

1994 Nonfiction (essays/mountaineering)

A compilation of stories focused on personal illumination gained from climbing mountains; an essay collection about climbers' experiences and insights.

personal insightclimbing experience

Kayaking the Vermilion Sea

1995 Nonfiction (adventure/nature)

An account of an 800-mile sea-kayak journey down the Gulf of California, addressing environmental decline and maritime adventure.

marine conservationadventure travel

Arctic Crossing

2001 Nonfiction (adventure/cultural)

A chronicle of a 2,200-mile journey across northern North America by paddle, sail, dogsled and ski, weaving multiple trips into a linear narrative.

Arcticcultural encounters
Adaptations
  • [Film (television)] Odyssey Among the Inuit

Where Mountains Are Nameless

2004 Nonfiction (nature/conservation)

An essay collection based on journeys into the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge combining personal essays with biographical sketches to advocate against oil drilling and for wilderness protection.

conservationAlaskan wilderness

Running Dry

2010 Nonfiction (environmental/exploration)

A five-month journey paddling 1,450 miles from the Colorado headwaters to the Gulf of California documenting water rights, river decline, and the drying delta.

water rightsriver conservation

Northern Exposures

2013 Nonfiction (essays/photography)

An anthology of previously published essays and photography reflecting on adventures and the role of images in storytelling.

photographyretrospective

Chasing Denali

2018 Nonfiction (mountaineering history/investigative)

An investigation into the disputed first ascent of Denali combined with the author's own climbing history and analysis of how such ascents might have been accomplished.

climbing historyinvestigative narrative

Atlas of the National Parks

2019 Nonfiction (atlas/photography/cartography)

A 90,000-word atlas with photographs and maps of 61 national parks exploring geologic, human and natural history and discussing habitat loss and climate change impacts.

national parkscartographyclimate change

Atlas of Wild America

2023 Nonfiction (atlas/natural history)

An oversized atlas presenting the geography and natural history of wild America with photographs and maps, highlighting conservation issues.

natural historyconservation

Into the Thaw

2024 Nonfiction (memoir/environmental)

A first-person memoir documenting decades of changes in the Arctic—thawing permafrost, diminished sea ice, and impacts on wildlife and cultures—urging readers to reconsider fossil fuel consumption.

climate changeArctic

Bibliography

  • Into the Thaw: Witnessing Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis (2024)
  • Atlas of Wild America (2023)
  • Atlas of the National Parks (2019)
  • Chasing Denali (2018)
  • Northern Exposures (2013)
  • The Colorado River: Flowing Through Conflict (2010)
  • Running Dry (2010)
  • Where Mountains Are Nameless (2005)
  • Arctic Crossing (2001)
  • The Quotable Climber (1998)
  • A Most Hostile Mountain (1997)
  • Kayaking the Vermilion Sea (1995)
  • In the Shadow of Denali (1994)
  • Cloud Dancers (1993)
  • High Alaska (1988)
  • Surviving Denali (1983)

Adaptations

  • Odyssey Among the Inuit (film/TV production for Outdoor Life Network)
  • Chasing Water (short film about the Colorado River by Pete McBride)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Nature-focused adventure nonfictionEssayistic memoir and field reportingTopographic and photographic prose
Recurring Motifs
wilderness (Denali, Alaska)rivers and water resourcesice and thaw (Arctic)mountaineering and rescue

Legacy

Jonathan Waterman is known for his nature writing and expedition accounts focused on mountains, rivers, and the Arctic. Using photography and cartography, he has advocated for conservation, influenced public discourse on water resources and Arctic change, and bridged scholarly and popular audiences.

Academic Societies

  • American Alpine Club

Archives

  • Materials held in the author's official website archives and publisher archives

In Popular Culture

  • Contributed to documentary films and short features (e.g., Chasing Water)

Quotes

  • “What’s wrong with the idea of passionately speaking out for the causes you believe in? ... We have to emotionally connect and show people the value of these places.”
    Source: Interview (2014) (2014)

Trivia

  • Credited as the first person to journey the full length of the Colorado River from headwaters to Mexico.
  • Son of mathematical physicist Peter C. Waterman.
  • Made a first winter ascent of Denali via the Cassin Ridge in 1982 (per his accounts).
  • Has two sons: Nicholas (born 2002) and Alistair (born 2006).