A Northern Experience- Video

Hey,
I have compiled some pictures and video clips and produced a short movie on my time in the North. Check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHGND-n8FV0

Almost a year

So it is almost a year when I started my communications with MSAT. It was this time last year that I had heard about and applied for the job and started studying for it. I won't be touring with them this year- which was a decision that was tough to make. I enjoyed my time last summer and miss it occasionally. I was thinking of offering my services as a trainer for one tour, until I thought about the downfalls: meal planning, camping and set up in the rain, the compaints and attitudes. I plan on making another trip to the North this summer, but to explore and learn. Reading my past journal entries as well as viewing my pictures makes me long for Alaska and the North.

Back Home

So I made the long drive home. I caught the show in Dawson City one last time with my group and was happy when one of my clients won the same dance competition that I won and was also awarded with the coveted Diamond Tooth Gertie's Garter. I have a picture in my photobucket where we both proudly display them.
I drove the Alaska Highway home this time- I took the Cassiar Highway going up. Driving in daylight I got to see the most beautiful part of BC. Got to stop at Liard Hot Springs and have a soak there for a few hours before continuing on. The whole area North of Ft Nelson is gorgeous. Also stopped in at the WAC Bennet and Peace Canyon Dams which were interesting. I made it home to Victoria on Wednesday. I took a day off and cleaned gear all day Friday.
All in all it was a good experience and despite the complaining of some of the passengers, I was happy to be given the opportunity to see the North- and yes, I think I would do it again. Having said that, I am happy to be home and started it all off with a $400 bill to put a new starter in my car!
I have posted some more pictures in my bucket so check it out.
Cheers

One More Day

So this is the end. Im in Dawson City now after having spent time in the Arctic Circle and Cheena Hot Springs. I'm waiting for my group to do the Sour Toe Coktail (see beginning of my blog). Then off to the show at Diamond Tooth Gerties and off to bed. We are staying in the hostel tonight so no packing up camp tomorrow which is nice. I leave the season with mixed emotions. I will be glad to be back at home amongst family and freinds and it will be nice to sleep in a warm, dry bed again for a change. But I will miss the road as well. Back to Vic means back to the same old... looking for a job/ career/ home. Cares that I didnt wuite have on the road. The 3 day drive home will give me some time to reflect, I suspect. Tomorrow we go to the No 4 Gold Dredge just outside of Dawson and then make the drive to Whitehorse. I will probably be spending the night there before I head off.
I will talk to you all soon!
Dave

Going to the Arctic Circle

So we're going up to the Arctic Circle tomorrow. The smoke has cleared a little bit up here and Im hoping to see the Northern Lights. My group is going well and its like camping with a group of friends- but Im looking forward to coming home soon. Took the bus tour out to Eilson Visitor Centre in Denali today- saw a bunch of grizzly bears as well as some cariboo and some fish. It was fun. Cant wait to have you all over to see my pictures.

Small Group

So, as I mentioned I have a small group of only 6 people. One newly wed couple from Finland, a guy from the UK a girl from Australia, a girl from Canada and a guy from Italy. The Italian and Finnish dont speak english very well and that has posed a bit of a problem so far. The trip Itinerary is good but currently the whole state of Alaska is under a blanket of forest fire smoke. Lousy. We probably wont get a chance to see the northern lights for the smoke and I am once again finding it hard to breathe. The smoke is so bad in Denali right now, visabiliy is at a mile or less and you can taste the smoke. I should run... oh... almost forgot... I was offered a job with Anadyr Kayaking as a guide for next year! I just need to try to get a work VISA which I heard can be difficult :(
Hope things are all well at home and Ill try to post some pix tomorrow.
Cheers
Dave

Check out my picture online..... AND my Arctic Circle Tour

So I pick my tour up tomorrow in Copper Centre just outside of Glennallen Alaska. I will be taking over from Colin as they are already going to be into day 4 of the tour. This is one of the tours that my company, Midnight Sun markets themselves and I will be entertaining six guests from around the world, I belive I have 2 from Denmark and at least one Australian, maybe a couple from the US. Below I have included a tour itinerary for those of you that are interested. The good thing is that the remainder of the trip is only 10 days and then I get to make the drive home. I should be home on the 1st of September and am planning some sort of get-together on my return. Maybe a camping trip/ Salmon bake at French Beach or Sombrio if the weather is still good.
I'll see you soon.
Cheers
Dave
Day 4 & 5. Valdez, AK.
Valdez is located on the north shore of Port Valdez, a deep water fjord in Prince William Sound. It is the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline. The Richardson Highway, Alaska's first road, passes through the magnificent scenery of the Chugach Mountains. On route we visit Keystone Canyon. On day 5 travellers have the opportunity to do a cruise out into Prince William Sound or to try some great sea-kayaking among the glaciers and “iceberg bits” known as “burgies”.
Day 6. Anchorage, AK.
The drive to Anchorage is punctuated by numerous scenic stops, including the Matanuska Glacier and the Palmer Valley. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and is situated at the headland of Cook Inlet. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, Anchorage makes a great stop to re-furbish our supplies before we head out to Denali. While in Anchorage passengers can visit the world famous “Chilkoot Charlies” rustic saloon, and sample a bit of the traditional Alaskan nightlife.
Day 7 & 8. Denali National Park, AK.
We drive the scenic George Parks Highway with spectacular views of Mt McKinley en route. Later we visit the information centre at Denali National Park and pick up our park and bus tickets. Our tour leader orientates the group to the park area. On Day 8 we spend a full day in the park. This tour includes bus tickets to Eielson visitor centre. From here we can explore the vastness and true wilderness of Denali National Park.
Day 9. Arctic Circle, AK.
From Denali we head north through the city of Fairbanks and along the Elliot Highway (a single lane gravel road) to the isolated tundra of the Arctic Circle. Here we will experience almost 24 hours of daylight. Our campsite is very rustic, and passengers should be prepared to really “get away from it ALL.” Great views of the Brooks Range.
Day 10 & 11. Chena Hot Springs, AK.
From the Arctic Circle we drive southeast to the scenic resort of Chena Hot Springs. Your tour includes entrance to Chena Hot Springs where passengers can enjoy a soak after their night on the tundra. These mineral based hot springs include two indoor whirlpools and large swimming pool, and a large outdoor rock lake pool and whirlpool. Optional activities include, bike and ATV rentals, horsebackriding, or pampering yourself at the resort with a relaxing massage.
Day 12. Delta Junction, AK.
Leaving Denali National Park we make our way to Fairbanks where we visit downtown and the University of Alaska. After touring Fairbanks we drive east to Delta Junction, the official ending of the Alaska Highway.
Day 13. Dawson City, YT.
After the descent from the Top of the World Highway we reach the Klondike gold rush boomtown of Dawson City. Our camp overlooks the Yukon River and Dawson City. In Dawson City passengers have the option to visit the abandoned Gold Dredge #4, pan for gold and enjoy the nightlife at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Gambling Saloon. Free time is given to explore local hiking trails, a sternwheeler graveyard, the Palace Grand Hotel, Gaslight Follies and the Klondike Goldrush Museum.
Day 14. Whitehorse, YT.
We leave Dawson City to make our way south to Whitehorse. At Moose Creek Lodge, an original roadhouse built during the gold rush years, we visit an authentic trapper's cabin. We also stop at Five Finger Rapids for a short hike down to the Yukon River, where dangerous rapids made it difficult for the sternwheelers to plough the waters. We arrive in Whitehorse at approximately 5:00 PM.

Oh and BTW, check out my pic I finally have on the MSAT website:
http://www.midnightsuntravel.com/guides.html