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Finding
GOLD
in the Yukon
and Alaska
In 1898 almost 30,000 people made
their way into the Yukon Territory,
Canada many via Alaska to Dawson City
to stake their claims for gold. Over 100 years
later I made my first trip into this region as
part of a 1000 mile sea kayak trip raising money
for charity. I had no idea the huge impact that
Alaska and the Yukon would have on me, a deeply
spiritual awakening, and a love of this huge stunning
wilderness, one of the largest, most remote on earth. I
promised myself I would return to this extraordinary land. It
has taken me back there now on four occasions for different
adventures. I love the deserted sites, wild camping and
animals I had only ever seen on TV including bears, wolves and
whales and so many pioneering people. I too had struck gold.
My first trip was defining for me in so many ways, our small team sea kayaked
from Vancouver Island, British Columbia to Glacier Bay Alaska in 27 days
experiencing many highs and lows on the trip of a lifetime. This required 12-13
hour paddling days with the longest day of 52 miles and 21 hours battling with
winds and tides. We kayaked alongside orcas, dolphins, humpback whales and
grizzly bears and soaked up the huge landscape, happy escaping our everyday
routines. It is important to state that whilst our journey might not be everybody’s
idea of fun you can explore the same iconic locations using the Alaska Marine
Highway ferries as your main transport and hiring kayaks locally for short
manageable paddling trips.
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