ARCTIC EXPEDITION 2003

Itinerary (March 22 to April 3, 2003)

Day -4
The unofficial convoy departs for White horse the official starting point.
Depart March , 6:00 am, from the New Holiday Inn in North Vancouver BC Canada heading for Hells Gate in the Fraser River Canyon where we stop for breakfast. The road leads us through the Cariboo and Chilcotin via Cache Creek and Quesnel. Lunch will be at 100-Mile House. This old stop over on the Cariboo Rd was used as early as 1860 by the Little Red Stage Coach which is exhibited in town. After lunch we proceed to Williams Lake leaving the lake country behind. After a long 795km on Hwy 1 and Hwy 97 we arrive at Prince George where we will camp for the night. The campground might very well still be closed for the winter so be prepared to camp in the wild, a good start to the adventure ahead of us.

Day -3
Another early start after a vehicle and radio check. We move out towards New Hazleton via Vanderhoof. We will be moving primarily in a westerly direction crossing the rolling interior plateau and an ever-changing landscape. Lunch stop will be in Burns Lake (remember to buy something for lunch tomorrow). The Hazelton Mountains will come into view as we approach Houston and forms an impressive backdrop to Smithers. We camp near Hazleton in the Kispiox Valley at the Steelhead Camp with only 490km of Hwy 16 behind us.

Day -2
Today we depart for Watson Lake, North on Hwy 37. The road, Stewart-Cassiar, takes us over some rougher roads, constantly under repair, to the Alaska Hwy in the Yukon. Our first night in the Yukon will be camping, after crossing sections of varied but spectacular scenery, 620km along this lonesome road where communities are few and far between. If the rest camp is still closed we will be doing some wilderness camping.

Day -1
After a vehicle inspection we depart and, believe it or not, drive back into BC and out into the Yukon again on the way to White Horse where we will camp just north of town at Takhini natural hotsprings, a 410km drive along the Alaska Hwy number one. Lunch will on the side of the road as this stretch has only two small towns. The odorless water of the hotsprings, at 38 degrees C, will be a welcome experience. The camp has facilities such as a hot shower, laundry and electrical hookups. We should arrive early enough to use these facilities.

Day 1
Today we rest in White Horse and get ready for the "real" departure the next day. Pack the vehicles and get ready. (D, Hotel)

Day 2
From White Horse we will drive 560km northwest to Dawson City on the Klondike Hwy, again with a lunch stop on the way as this stretch also only features two remote towns. We will stay in the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City. Featuring a hot tub this typical old Western style Hotel will provide lots of entertainment. (B, D, Hotel)

Day 3
When we leave Dawson City we will get onto the famous Dempster Hwy to Eagle Plains where we will stay at the Eagle Plains Hotel after a 460km drive. Tonight we will definitely be using those block heaters. The Hotel is about 20km South of the Arctic Circle. The Dempster Hwy is well maintained and well used. With all the oil activity in the Yukon we are bound to see other traffic on this stretch which ensures that the highway stays open all year round. Lunch will again be on the side of the road. (B, D, Hotel)

Day 4
Another action packed day, first crossing into the Arctic Circle, a great photo opportunity, and then crossing into the North West Territories into the Mackenzie Delta to our destination, the Arctic Chalets in Inuvik. The drive for the day will be 240km and we will be crossing Arctic Red River at the Mackenzie River driving past the summertime ferries. Lunch will be at Fort McPherson on the Peel River crossing. (B, D, Chalets)

Day 5
Finally a day of leisure - either dog sledding with Inuvik's famous white Husky's or simply a walk around town to experience this Arctic village or try some ice fishing. Today we sample local culture on our own. We will also do a last minute vehicle inspection as Day 9 holds a lot of fun and adventure for us. Tonight we will feel rested and if the weather permits we will definitely keep a look out for the spectacular display of the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. (B, D, Chalets)

Day 6
We will depart as soon as we are all ready and head onto the frozen highway driving the Mackenzie River to the Beaufort Sea leading us to Tuktoyaktuk, 180km north of Inuvik. In summer it is a river and in winter a Government maintained ice highway. What an experience as we drive on the Arctic Sea to this Inuit Village. This highway has a weight restriction for the bigger commercial vehicles taking much needed supplies North. This road stays open 3 months a year. Did we mention Hotel, don't expect too much though, after all this is the 69th parallel. Tuktoyaktuk is the most northerly Canadian Arctic town reachable by standard vehicles. (B, D, Hotel)

Day 7
Once again the day is spent leisurely exploring this Arctic Village. Maybe do some more ice driving in the area or dog-sledding. Local arts and crafts provide a look into Inuit culture. We might even see a Polar bear or two. If time permits we will build an igloo. Local tour operators take visitors to the Pingo's in the area by snow mobile. (B, D, Hotel)

Day 8
Today we back track to Inuvik on the same frozen highway back to the Arctic Chalets in Inuvik. We will be doing some photo shoots in this spectacular part of Canada, deep in the Arctic. Tonight we rest and reflect on the journey to date while sampling the local cuisine. (B, D, Chalets)

Day 9
Once again we rest and spend a leisurely day in Inuvik getting our vehicles ready for the journey back to civilization. This day also serves the purpose of a catch-up day should we encounter problems on the way. (B, D, Chalets)

Day 10
We will have a good hearty breakfast before we attempt the Dempster Hwy back to the Eagle Plains Hotel, 240km south, stopping for lunch at the same spot as on the trip up. (B, D, Hotel)

Day 11
Will be heading south along the Klondike Hwy the same way we came and again we will stay in the Hotel in Dawson. We only do 560km for the day. (B, D, Hotel)

Day 12
After backtracking on the Klondike Hwy we again spend the night at the Takhini Natural Hotsprings north of White Horse. Distance traveled will be 410km. (B, D, Hotel)

Day 13
The day spent at leisure, resting and getting ready for the journey back south. We officially end here but we are more than likely staying in a group and driving back.

Day 14
Today we back track same as on day -1.

Day 15
Today we back track same as on day -2.

Day 16
Today we back track same as on day -3.

Day 17
Today we back track same as on day -4.

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