British Columbia

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Fraser to Skagway on the Whitepass and Yukon Railroad

The Whitepass and Yukon Railroad spelled the end of the Chilkoot trail’s usefulness, providing an easy route into the Klondike. Today, the railroad is renowned the world over for its gorgeous vistas.

We boarded the WPYR in Fraser, British Columbia, and rode it all the way into Skagway, Alaska, 40 odd miles through some of the biggest and most beautiful country I’d seen so far.

Fraser train station right across from US customs

Fraser train station right across from US customs

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This thing weighed about 40lbs when we started and only about 30lbs when we reached Bennett. Losing all that weight was motivation to EAT. :)

This thing weighed about 40lbs when we started and only about 30lbs when we reached Bennett. Losing all that weight was motivation to EAT. 🙂

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this narrow-gauge track is unique in North America

this narrow-gauge track is unique in North America

the Whitepass trail of '98 (scary! look at how narrow it is!)

the Whitepass trail of ’98 (scary! look at how narrow it is!)

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this bridge was in use until the 60's

this bridge was in use until the 60’s

it's obviously no longer in use now

it’s obviously no longer in use now

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entering Skagway

entering Skagway

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Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

I will be leaving for Whitehorse within the next couple of hours. Monday is the big day when I meet up with the tour group and head for Skagway. I can’t wait!!!

My assumption is that I will not have access to the ‘net in Whitehorse. So, my next post might not be for another two weeks.

(Packing sucks; I’d forgotten what it’s like to not have all my personal effects with me at all times! 😀 )

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Winter Plans

The cat is out of the bag and I can now announce my plans for the winter! I will continue working in Dawson until the end of August and then return to Watson Lake for as long into October as I can stand it. I will then travel south to Vancouver Island. I had briefly mentioned this destination as being a possibility for this winter and one of my readers picked up on it. He offered me a great opportunity.

So, it is with great pleasure that I can say that for the 2009/2010 winter, I will be parked in Croft‘s driveway in Campbell River, house sitting for him and Norma by parking my RV in their driveway. Retired RVers go to Mexico for the winter while non-retired RVers housesit for the Mexico-bound. 😀 Their generous offer will give me a good chance to get my finances back on track, provided I can find a good contract or job in Campbell River! Thanks, Croft and Norma!

I will be able to take a different route to Vancouver Island than I took north from Vancouver, so my journey back to the Vancouver lower mainland and across the water to Vancouver Island will make for interesting blogging. Depending on the work situation on the Island, I should be able to explore quite a bit, if only in the toad. I also plan to fully utilize Croft’s workshop to make some much needed personalizations to Miranda now that I’m fully committed to full-timing in her!

With winter plans firmly squared away, I now know what I’m doing straight through to the late fall of 2010. I don’t think I’ve ever before planned so far ahead!

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Countdown to the Chilkoot

This time and day next month, I will be camped out at the Chilkoot trailhead in Dyea, Alaska.

I have cranked up my training and am now hiking several hours a day. My job keeps me on my feet and moving all day, so the length of my shift determines the length of my hike and how strenuous it will be. Tonight was the first time I added a proper pack, weighing in at 25lbs, half of what I was told to prepare for on the Chilkoot. I spent two hours hiking about eight kilometres, including getting halfway up to Crocus Bluff, which is some pretty darn steep terrain!

An average day on the trail will be 10.6 kilometres, with the longest and most difficult day being that of the summit climb. My goal for the next four weeks is to keep climbing the dome with a progressively heavier pack. A few days before I’m set to leave for Whitehorse, the hiking group will be going all the way to the top and I was invited to do the climb with my full Chilkoot pack. The guide as well as a gal at the visitors’ centre who have done the Chilkoot before, say that if I can get to the top of the dome with my pack I will be able to deem myself ready.

Right now, my pack is filled with nonsense–sheets, towels, a 4L jug of water, and cans of food. When I increase to 30lbs, I will start to add my proper Chilkoot gear. My goal is to leave here with full supplies and a pack weighing no more than 20lbs seeing as I will need to add a tent, sleeping pad, cooking gear, and food when I meet up with the group in July. I won’t be able to control how heavy that stuff is, so the only way I can ensure myself a pack weighing less than 50lbs is to bring as little myself. We’ll see how realistic that 20lbs goal is. I backpacked around Scotland for a month in ’98 (um, the more recent ’98, not the ’98 of the Gold Rush! 😀 ) with a pack weighing 30lbs and I was ready for all weather.

Speaking of packs, I’ve gone back and forth over which one to bring with me and have decided that although it is a bit small, I’m going to aim for the same pack I took to Scotland. It’s moulded to my body by this point, sturdy, and lightweight. It was suggested we bring packs with an internal frame so that all our gear could be packed into the bag, but I cannot get used to the weight distribution of such a pack. So, a dry run at getting the pack filled is necessary in case I have to go emergency pack shopping in Whitehorse.

Looking at our itinerary tonight, it does not send shivers down my spine the way that it did back in February, so I’d say I’m making progress!