Archives & Special Collections is lucky to say we are the home to the Bernard R. Hubbard, S.J. papers. This collection is open for research and has attracted a number of interesting researchers, one being Pete Hubbard–of no apparent relation to Father Hubbard–so we sat down with him to discuss the impressive array of films, photographs, artifacts, and documents created by Father Hubbard throughout his many years exploring Alaska.

An avid explorer and Jesuit Priest, Father Bernard Hubbard undertook a number of expeditions to the Alaskan wilderness, which he documented through a plethora of photographs and films. A native of the Bay Area, Hubbard attended Santa Clara University as a student. After joining the Jesuit order and completing his graduate work, he returned to Santa Clara as a lecturer in geology and theology, which occupied his time apart from his expeditions. Not more than a few years later, he began to head the school’s Department of Geology.

A Three-Part Interview with Researcher Peter Hubbard

Over the course of several years, Pete has closely examined the entire contents of the Bernard R. Hubbard, S.J. papers, and continues to be captivated by the works of Father Hubbard as a naturalist and spiritual person. Pete initially wondered if their shared last name was telling of a common lineage, sparking a personal research journey with weekly visits to the Archives. To this day, Pete has not been able to confirm shared ancestry, but he has found some common ground between his life and that of Father Hubbard. Curious to learn more, I sat down with Pete to go over the collection and to gather some insight on what makes the “Glacier Priest” just so intriguing.

*The interview is divided into three parts: 1) On the Wilderness (discussed in this post), 2) On Spirituality, 3) On Lessons and Core Values.

On the Wilderness

After Pete Hubbard graduated from Oregon State University in 1976, he joined an internship program with the Bureau of Land Management on a river in south central Alaska. The party consisted of Pete, the wildlife technician, a fisheries technician, and three anthropology students, and all worked to conduct field surveys of the area and come up with recommendations for future management plans.

Pete was to focus on the area on the southern Alaska Range at 3000 foot elevation. “It was pristine, isolated, and frozen half the year. Bears and mosquitoes dominated our terrain. Old timers told us there are two seasons in Alaska, winter and the Fourth of July,” he said. Though pay was not high for interns, Pete explains that the memories he walked away with made the experience incredibly worthwhile.

A few years back while strolling through de Saisset museum on Santa Clara’s campus, Pete came across an exhibit of Father Bernard Hubbard, highlighting his 30 Alaskan expeditions. Their common last name made him want to know more. “Eventually I found my way to Archives and Special Collections and for almost three years I have gone through the entire collection, and I also researched extensively online the life and times of Father Bernard Hubbard, the Glacier Priest,” Pete said. “I vicariously joined Father Hubbard for adventures beyond my wildest expectations through his books, and films, and portions of his 250,000 photos.”

As Pete explained, navigating the Alaskan wilderness in the 1930’s was what some would call a “logistical nightmare.” Though Alaska is the largest state in the U.S., during that time there was a population of about 70,000. “The waters were treacherous, the weather was unpredictable, there were very few airplanes, and the coastline wasn’t completely mapped yet,” Pete continued. “Father Hubbard and his team worked with the Geodetic Survey to help map such areas. But there were few maps of remote areas, and fewer trails. Their gear was heavy and bulky, especially with all the essentials needed to take the photos and films. There were no cell phones, GPS, or Coast Guard to come rescue you.”

Prior to his Alaskan journeys, Father Hubbard planned heavily. His photograph collection proves the extent to which he prepared in that area; eventually he hired another person specifically assigned to planning out the fine print. “He took over 250,000 photographs and a million feet of film in all kinds of weather conditions. His skill set was tremendous, and he became an expert in many fields… The most extensive journey he prepared for was his 1937-38 expedition to King Island, and ocean voyage along the coast, north to Barrow. That expedition included 100 tons of gear for the missions and supplies for the trip,” Pete explained. “He was a pioneer in experimenting with different film types.”

Father Hubbard’s team included many students. “He knew experience was helpful, but that character and integrity was more important,” Pete said. “The teams would be in close quarters for long periods of time, and have to work together under difficult and dangerous conditions. In the land of the midnight sun the days were long but the season short, and much needed to be done in little time. Long arduous trips with heavy packs was an everyday occurrence. Even the dogs had to be carefully selected, as they knew how to find their way back to camp, even in the dark or the snow whiteouts.”

Rather than keeping studies contained to the classroom, Father Hubbard advocated the immersion of oneself in their chosen field or profession. Pete compares this to his own post-grad internship. This often translates into making direct and positive change in the world. Pete explained, “[Father Hubbard] and his team were able to collect hydrochloric acid in a small bottle from a vent in the Aniakchak volcano in 1931, confirming the presence of chlorine in volcanic eruptions. He was asked to join the Geological Society of America after that contribution.”

As Pete sees it, Father Hubbard’s life is proof of the saying, “whatever you focus on grows.”

Check back here next week for the next installment of my conversation with Pete.

Header photo: A group of King Islanders take in the sights while on the deck of USCG Northland. Courtesy of the Hubbard King Island Digital Collection, Santa Clara University Library, Archives & Special Collections.