More Yukon Info

1.The floral emblem of the Yukon is the Fireweed.
2.The official bird is the Raven.
3.The official tree of the Yukon is the sub-alpine fir.
4.The Yukon Territory is large enough to hold the states of California, Arizona, Delaware and West Virginia.
5.The famous Yukon River is 2,200 miles (3,520 km) long. You can canoe 2,050 miles from Whitehorse to the Bering Strait.
6.The central part of Yukon receives 6.5 inches (165 mm) of rain per year, less than Arizona.
7.There are approximately 65,000 moose, 10,000 black bear and 4,500 wolves in the Yukon.
8.The White Pass & Yukon Route is 110.7 miles (178 km) long. Of this, 20.4 miles (32.8 km) are in Alaska; 32.2 miles (51.8 km) in British Columbia, and 58.1 miles (93.5 km) in the Yukon.
9.Whitehorse is the third largest city in Canada by area.
10.The Carcross Desert is the world’s smallest at 642 acres (260 hectares).
11.Whitehorse has the world’s most northern botanical show gardens.
12.Yukon has a population of just over 31,000 people today, almost identical to that of 1900.
13.Of our population base, over 23,000 reside in Whitehorse.
14.This is the home to fourteen First Nations, speaking eight different languages. Gwich'in, Han, Upper Tanana, Northern Tutchone, Southern Tutchone, Tlingit, Tagish and Kaska.
15.Yukon First Nations’ rich culture and history in Yukon dates back as far as the last Ice Age (approx. 50,000 years).
16.Gold is 19 times heavier than water.
17.The Dempster is the only public highway in North America to cross the Arctic Circle.
18.The steamer ‘Seattle’ returned from Dawson City in November 1897 with $800,000 in drafts and securities and 35 lbs. of gold.
19.In 1898 about 25,000 gold-seekers hiked the Chilkoot Trail for the boomtown of Dawson City.
20.A gold nugget was unearthed in the Klondike that weighed over 72 ounces. Its value in 1898 was $1,158 - value today is well over $30,000.
21.One of the first women crossing the Chilkoot Trail in 1897 was Belinda Mulroney from Scranton, PA.
22.The 1,520 mile (2,446 km) Alaska Highway was constructed in eight months and twelve days in 1942.
From http://www.yukoninfo.com

Yukon Facts

Yukon is one of the three territories of Canada and it lies north of the 60 th parallel. It is bordered to the west by Alaska south by British Columbia,east by North West Territories. Beaufort sea( part of Artic sea) is in the north.

Winter in Yukon is extremely cold and summer is warm. The difference between summer and winter is -40 degrees.

Most of Yukon is covered in Permafrost and it takes 10o years for a tree to grow 10 meters.

The famous Chilkoot pass and Klondike gold trail is in Yukon. During the peak of gold rush, gold diggers found 100 million worth of gold in Yukon.

Alaska highway was built in 1939-45 and was constructed for military purposes.

Mining and tourism are the major industries

Yukon flag

Three colour panel represents the forest, snow and the ocean
Coat of arms in the middle is the cross of St.George that represents the explorers from England, circle represents the fur trade, blue and white wavy lines represents the Yukon river, the red spikes the gold disk represents the mountains and the gold deposits.
Malamute dog sits on top to remind us its loyalty, stamina and strength.

Fireweed surrounds the coat of arm. It is the first plant to appear after a fire and hence the name.

Books I will be reading

1. The thief lord by Cornelia Funke
2. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
3.Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
4.City of flowers by Mary Hoffman
5. City of Stars by Mary Hoffman
6. City of Masks by Mary Hoffman
7. A single Shard by Linda Sue park
8. Keoko by Linda Sue Park
9.Alone on a wide wide sea by Micheal Morpurgo(have been waiting to read this book)

fingers crossed

I am leaving in four days time and I am getting scared. I still haven't packed most of the cloths.
My GPS conked out and I can't afford a new one.
I haven't made any reservation in any camping sites because I have no idea how many kilometers I am going to travel each day.
It was snowing in some parts en route yesterday and I am confused. Should I pack all my winter gear? What if the weather changes and it is hot by the time I reach Whitehorse?
There are more Grizzly bears in Yukon and I have only seen black bears.
I know I should cook food far away from the tent, so the bears won't follow me back to the tent...but .. I am still scared..What if kids bring food to the tent?

I know I shouldn't be worried. I spend a week last winter in a remote lake side at -30 degrees. Without electricity and only the fireplace to keep us warm. We did ice fishing! So this time it should be ok.. Fingers crossed!

Food Supply

I have been told that after Prince George, food availability is limited

So I am taking as much as I can from here

For breakfast
Cereal
Home made pancake mix
I hope to buy sausages/bacon en route

Lunch
Minute rice( quick cooking rice)
Gits Sambar
Luncheon meat
Canned chicken
Canned Tuna
Home made meat masala

Dinner
Pasta
Classico sauce
Cup o noodles
Chapathi
Gits Dosai mix


I have also packed chocolates, trail mixes, 6 gallons of water.
I feel I haven't packed enough food and I am worried.. I hope to find fresh vege and meat en route.. I can't even imagine what would be the case if I don't

Our Gear

BC weather is unpredictable..Today it is the 2 nd day of summer and it snowed on the way to Merrit this morning. So we have to be prepared for a cold spell.
Main gear
5 person 4 season tent
Ground sheet
Air bed
Thermarest pads for the kids
Sleeping bags
Extra blanket(fleece)
Coleman Catalytic heater that uses propane gas
Instead of lanterns I am planning to use solar lights that can charge during the day time.(note: Sun doesn't set at all the next 3 weeks!)
Jackets
Swim suits