Different places, New Highways

No Ducks, there's not much traffic where I run...sometimes you can drive down the road for literally HOURS and not see a single vehicle...just the way I like it!

There have been times when I've been on the road when it's almost eerie...it's so quiet, not another vehicle anywhere...nothing but moon, stars, almost like you're on another planet...

Cell service??? What's that? No such thing where I run...Unless you're within a mile or two of a major town! We don't use CB radios in the far north...not enough range. So I have a good VHF radio...you have to have a license for them, but the range is about 75 miles, so if you get into a bind, usually someone will hear you...eventually.

Survival gear? Well, I guess I probably do carry more than most.

I carry spare everything...for the truck...headlights, fuses, oil, washer fluid, air line parts.. right down to the lines, gladhands, fittings, etc, bungie cords, hay wire, 60 mile/hour tape, extra light cords, fuel conditioner, anti freeze, those stupid little gladhand rubbers...I use the neoprene ones...they stand up better in the cold...tire chains,it's law...triples & god knows what else! I have a milk crate FULL of crap in my jockey box! Then I have a 10 lbs sledge hammer for banging frozen brakes...did you know breaks can freeze even when they're NOT applied? A small propane torch, a snipe, a short length of 2" pipe with a foot of chain attached to it...works great for moving converters around, tools...LOTS of tools, wrenches, sockets, zip ties, electrical tape, etc, etc...the whole gammitt.

For myself I always have dry goods (food), some canned fruit, dried fruit bars, water, coffee, hot chocolate, extra clothes, my arctic sleeping bag, winter boots, about 10 pairs of gloves, my good leather mitts, with sheepskin liners, long johns...the one piece kind...they're warmer, canvas coveralls...they stay dry longer & hold body heat better, 2 vests, 2 winter coats...one to wear, one to dry, several sweaters. It's better to dress in layers..you can always take a layer off if you get too warm!

Emergencies? Well so far I've been lucky I guess, I've had precious few. Once a couple of years ago a blew a tire on the trailer..was fully loaded, so by the time I got stopped the other one blew too...it happens, the other tire in the set of duals usually can't handle the full weight that two can. Anyway, I sat on the side of the road for 12 hours before someone came along...he knew me...we ALL know each other up there...there's not alot of us & most are regulars, anyway, he stopped at my terminal...5 hours north of where I was, told them what had happened, made sure a tire truck was on the way...he stopped back at my terminal on the way back out. When he came back by me told me the tire guy was on his way...it was nearly 24 hours before I got going again...it was 58 below zero that day...###### good thing it wasn't TRUCK trouble. Mostly we do everything we possibly can to keep our trucks in top condition...but with the extreme weather we deal with in winter the trailers really take a beating, but the company I am leased onto does a pretty good job at keeping everything in top notch condition.

 

Well here we go, just got back from Yellowknife last night & thought that maybe I'd bore you all with a few more "ICE ROAD" pictures!

The "portage"...



Out on the ICE...



It's 3 kilometres (about 2 miles) to the other side!











And crossing at night!

 

I just couldn't resist another little video..crossing the ICE...it's pretty short..but you get the idea!

 

Well I finally remembered to bring my camera into the house...and...here's a few "new" pictures of my travels into the Yukon.

More snow....






It stopped...finally...for a few minutes...



Then...it gets WINDY!



A "FROZEN" Waterfall!

 

A few more...

More Yukon "Speed Bumps"...



More packed ice, snow & ###### gravel...



Then...WAIT...WHAT THE HECK IS THAT??? Look real close!



I'm trying to get a bit closer...I can't believe my EYES!
I'm not sure if he's stupid or really brave...I'm thinking more stupid...this is MARCH in the YUKON...it's still WINTER here!

 

More...

Coming down Steamboat...



What a beautiful day!





And around the next bend...







Coming out of Whitehorse on Friday...will it rain or snow...never quite sure...spring is "attempting" to get a foothold in the far North!