EXPEDITION: A Cautionary Tale: "A Lesson Learned On The Roads to Tuk"

We take responsibility for the unexpected repairs that occurred ...

A couple of photos of what LOAF looked like after our return drive on the Dempster and Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highways in 2018. Your rig will take a beating ... washboard gravel roads will pound all suspension components; from tires through to the shock absorbers. Flying gravel from passing tractor trailers and other vehicles will pummel windshields, headlights and body panels.

Just outside Tuk ... heading south

EXPEDITION: Driving to the Arctic Ocean

This is our eighth drive on the DEMPSTER Highway 

It will be our first drive on the new INUVIK to TUKTOYAKTUK Highway

Engineers Creek

Helen's parents first introduced us to the Dempster Highway on a road trip in 1988. We were enamored with the landscape and remoteness of the region then and we still are today ... thanks Mae and Earl!  

Some Northern Demographics

Over a 30 year period we have driven nearly every roadway in the 

Yukon and Northwest Territories and Alaska. 

All three jurisdictions are large but for most travelers much of each is only reachable by road. I realize there are other ways to reach the back-country. In the past, we have completed paddling, hiking and backpacking trips into the Canadian Territories.

This post is an observation on road tripping!

Stock photo

BACKCOUNTRY: Canoeing the South Nahanni / Liard Rivers, Nahanni National Park, NT, CANADA: Rabbitkettle Lake > Nahanni Butte

If You're a Paddler, It's on YOUR List!

LOGISTICS (ON, CANADA)

Designation(s): SOUTH NAHANNI is a Canadian Heritage River, World Heritage Site
Canadian Heritage Rivers: SOUTH NAHANNI
Park: Nahanni National Park

Private Vehicle: Tim's Lake > Toronto

By Air: Toronto > Edmonton, AB > Yellowknife, NT > Ft. Simpson, NT

Air Charter: With pilot Jaques Harvey of South Nahanni Airways from Ft. Simpson > Rabbitkettle Lake, Nahanni National Park

Outfitter: Blackfeather Wilderness Adventures 

Guides: Paul Scriver, Andrew Pichora

Mandatory Portage(s): (1) Rabbitkettle Lk. > SOUTH NAHANNI R. (2) Around Virginia Falls

Tandem Canoe: SOUTH NAHANNI R. > Nahanni Butte, NT - CIII+, 13 days, 337 kms

Max. River Speed: 23 km/hr (gps)

Water Taxi: On the LIARD River from Nahanni Butte > Lindberg's Landing 

Van Shuttle: Lindberg's Landing > Ft. Simpson

By Air: Ft. Simpson > Yellowknife > Edmonton > Toronto

Private Vehicle: Toronto > Tim's Lake
DVD Available: Get copy from Store

View South Nahanni / Liard River(s), NT, CANADA in a larger map

Canoeing Blackfeather Creek / Mountain River, NT: Willowhandle Lake > Mackenzie River Confluence

SECOND Road Trip NORTH of 60

Ontario to Alaska and Places In Between

Logistics: Kinburn, ON > in a north-westerly direction into ON MB SA AB BC NT YT AK

Vehicle: 1994 F350 RC LB SRW 4x4 7.3l diesel with 1988 Maple Leaf Camper

Travelling Companions: Mae & Earl in a Volkswagen Van
Days: 56

Dates: July - September

Activities: Overlanding, canoeing, hiking, fishing, photography

Distance: 16000 kms (est.)

Photography: Old, poor quality, scanned images ... sorry!

Post Description: This happened too long ago and I can't remember the details. Read the photo captions, the story is in the photography and it's 'mostly chronological'.
Designation: World Heritage Site
Event: 20th Wedding Anniversary

                     

Mid-July saw us packed up in our brand new 1994 Ford F350. Our new to us, 'used' truck camper was loaded up with food, wine, clothes, firewood and our canoe. Mae & Earl had loaded their VW van and together, the four of us set out on our first trip north 'by vehicle'. We were delayed briefly by the first of three flat tires that M&E would have. Earl had convinced himself that his tires would last until Edmonton ... they didn't. The adventure has begun.

Photography

FIRST Road Trip NORTH of 60

Logistics: Dunrobin, ON > flight to Whitehorse, YT 
Vehicle: Rental Ford F250 4x4 with a Maple Leaf Camper
Travelling Companions: Mae & Earl in a Volkswagen Van
Dates: 3 weeks in August / September
Activities: Overlanding, hiking, fishing, photography
Distance: 3000 kms (est.)
Photography: Old, poor quality, scanned images ... sorry!
Post Description: This happened too long ago and I can't remember the details. Read the photo captions, the story is in the photography and it's 'mostly chronological'.
Event: 14th Wedding Anniversary

Helen and I had always wanted to travel to the Canadian North, so when Mae & Earl suggested that we join them on a road trip they would be embarking on we couldn't resist. It was a short trip, we saw a lot in 3 weeks and it set the stage for several return trips and a life-long fascination with this part of our country.

Photography