Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 16

COVER STORY
territory, one to honour a joint Canada-US mountain and
the final one in honour of our centennial year.
As we fly circles around Centennial Peak, I peer
through the window of the small Cessna onto the cornice-
covered, knife-edge ridge. I reflect upon the stories passed
down from my father about his own father’s near-death
experience to summit Centennial Peak. I’m overcome with
admiration and appreciation for everyone on that team of
hardcore adventurers.
Back on solid ground, some late-winter storms bear down
on Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and
blowing snow and clouds veer north towards Haines Junction.
We decide to turn our Subaru towards southern Yukon and
the Southern Lakes region in search of the Aurora Borealis.
The agenda for the day includes Mount White, an
enjoyable, six-kilometre hike with beautiful views of
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endless mountains being warmed in the spring sun. Along
the way, we see a family of mountain goats digging through
snowdrift ledges, searching for their morning breakfast.
The hiking route also provides a great view of Little Atlin
Lake. From this vantage point, we spot a few locals in the
distance, scurrying across the lake on snowmobiles to enjoy
their favourite ice fishing holes. They are mere specks in the
immense landscape they call home.
We decide on switching back from hiking boots to cross-
country skis after venturing to the Chilkoot Trail National
Historic Site, some 70 kilometres south of Carcross. This
is the home to the Buckwheat Ski Classic, an annual cross-
country ski race held at the end of March.
The trails here are professionally groomed and all too
ready to provide endless outdoor stimuli. It’s great to see
the parking lot full of local outdoor enthusiasts, including