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Their adventure tested their physical and mental strength , challenged their navigational skills , and immersed them in the unique culture of the Yukon River basin .
The couple was struck by the generosity of the Yup ’ ik First Nation villagers who greeted them in Emmonak . The locals , eager to share their culture , offered food , shelter , and a glimpse into their traditional way of life . They celebrated the arrival of the two travellers with stories , songs , and dance , demonstrating the power of human connection and cultural exchange .
No journey down the Yukon is ever a random decision . Günter and Barbara ’ s expedition resulted from years of planning and preparation and their extensive experience in adventure sports .
As seasoned mountain guides and outdoor enthusiasts , they run RAW Adventure Travel , a company specialising in creating personalised outdoor experiences in over 80 countries . Their professional expertise spans various activities beyond SUP , from mountaineering and canyoning to heliskiing in Sweden and Canada and paragliding , underscoring their deep love and understanding of the outdoors and their commitment to safety and responsible travel .
The seed for the Yukon trip was planted a decade earlier during Günter ’ s ski traverse across Denali . The sheer size of the Alaskan tundra left a deep mark on him , and the Yukon River , flowing north through this striking landscape , called to him with the prospect of further adventure .
The detailed planning process that led up to the expedition involved countless hours examining maps , researching logistics , and testing their equipment , leaving no room for doubt about their readiness for the challenges that lay ahead . Their selection of SUPs , as opposed to kayaks , was driven by Barbara ’ s need for a means of transportation that would cater for her back problems and provide more freedom of movement during the long hours on the water . Günter , drawing from his background in endurance sports and his meticulous nature , welcomed the challenge of modifying the SUPs for the rigours of the expedition .
SETTING OFF
Their adventure began on the Teslin River , a tributary of the Yukon . They chose this starting point because it was a new and novel route into the Yukon compared to the stretch near Whitehorse , which was more familiar , less scenic and wild and where there was a hydroelectric dam to bypass . From the outset , they faced unexpected obstacles . The water levels in the river were far lower than expected , and the low flow and movement meant they had no chance to coast downstream and instead needed to constantly paddle to achieve a decent pace . The scarcity of wildlife took them aback , but they did have noteworthy encounters with a mother grizzly bear and her cub and another where they came across a moose being chased by a wolf , which escaped by swimming across the river just by them .
They put in many hours on the boards , maximising their mileage in those upper stretches , because they knew the second half would have far more challenging weather conditions , which could lead to delays . They averaged 14 hours a day , seven days a week , and mostly paddled overnight to avoid some of the hottest parts of the day .
“ During the first week , we welcomed every single ray of sunlight because we felt the cold air current coming down from the snowy peaks . Soon , thermic development increased during the days , so we decided to change to nightshifts to escape the winds and the heat . In June , the sun never disappears . Those paddling hours in the middle of the night were the most impressive : complete silence , when nature doesn ’ t move , and the sun spreads soft light in all colours .”
They hit a particular snag at the US border crossing point in the small , isolated riverside village of Eagle . The control point is a yellow telephone box hardwired to the US Border security office many miles away . Like many before them , they found that the phone didn ’ t work , so they were stuck until they found one of the very few residents and persuaded them to lend them their phone to make the call and avoid the potential complication of entering Alaska illegally .
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