My Days in a nutshell
In Dawson City now.... It's Canada Day
His Home Is the ROAD
LEAVING DENALI
As we leave Denali towards Fairbanks, we pass the town of Healy, Alaska and the road that leads to the Stampede Trail. I cant help but want to set out on it- making the hike to Fairbanks Bus #142 where a young Christopher McCandeless met his fate over 12 years ago. I think alot about his story and at a brief stop at North Pole, AK, I buy another copy of John Krakauer's book "Into The Wild" I read it in two days for the 4th time. The story seems to have more meaning now that I am up here. Now that I have seen the Trail.
FIRE FIRE
Fires are all around us. Alaska is on fire. The Yukon is on fire. We are turned away from the Top of the World Hwy due to burnt Chicken. Some 60,000 acres worth. We are forced on a 12 hour detour to the South. Nothing can be seen but smoke. The dutch dont understand or comprehend the enormity of the fire and keep telling us that the smoke is infact low cloud.
We camp at Tombstone Park about 100k North of Dawson City. We hike there. On our second night, we face possible evacuation. A fire threatens to cut off our only exit from the park- the Dempster Highway. It is still 60km away from camp. Smoke thickens, obscuring the sun. Turning the sky an eerie red. But night comes, and the evacuation threat is lifted. The fire is under control. It is difficult to sleep. We are about 300k South of the Arctic Circle and the sun doesnt quite set. I wake to bright daylight and look at my watch. It is 3am.
We have done a lot of hiking the last few days now. I have lead the treks. No trails. Just over land hiking over the Taiga. Up mountians through dense brush. My legs are scraped from the twigs as we brush agaisnt them. From far, the hike doesnt look hard. The mountains look grassy and inviting. But up close is a different story. With each step my feet sink 5 inches into the spongy moss. It is like walking through deep powder snow without snowshoes. The group is breathing heavy as we trudge up the mountain and I am glad i have kept myself in shape through running with Carol.
THE MOSQUITO
I sit at the table, alone in Tombstone Park. I try to finish the Epilogue of the book and I choke up just a little bit. Then, like a mosquito he comes. Nattering an old tour-guide war story he has told me 3 times before. There is no bug dope for this mosquito tho. I have spen the last month with him and I cant wait to get away. But my plans have changed and I am no longer coming back to Victoria in a few days to deadhead a van back up here. Instead, I start my next tour- my first solo on Wed in Anchorage next week. I am dissappointed.
I love being out here. Maybe not so much with a big group- where I cant do what I want- cant stop where I want. It is impossible to get any time to myself. If I am not with the group, I am with my preceptor. I'd like to be alone. Just one day. I miss meaningful conversation with my friends. But the tour will be over soon- I will get 2 days to myself- and it will all start again.
