Hiking the Chilkoot Trail
Previously, we weren’t big hikers or campers, so we felt it was a good ‘stretch’ fitness goal as well as an adventure a bit outside of our comfort zone
Float Planes, Hiking, Tents and Tang
Date: August 2023
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Location: Northern Britsh Columbia, Canada
KMs Hiked: 50KM
Throughout the summer of 2023, our family travelled all over Vancouver Island, seeking trails to hit and peaks to scale. From Ammonite Falls near Nanaimo, to the Mount Hankin Bluffs in Port Alberni, to heading straight up the side of Mount Washington, to charging up the black diamond trails on the back of PKOLS right here in our own backyard, we’ve done a LOT of vertical metres in elevation and put a good number of kilometres on our boots.
All of this was to train for a six-day trek along the Chilkoot Trail that Sean and I signed up for with his gym a while back (shoutout to Tropos Fitness Club!). Previously, we weren’t big hikers or campers, so we felt it was a good ‘stretch’ fitness goal as well as an adventure a bit outside of our comfort zone. You can follow our trek below.
Our Six Day Trek Of the Chilkoot
Day 1: Whitehorse to Bennett Lake
Today marked the beginning of a big adventure – hiking the Chilkoot Trail. Excitement and a tinge of nervousness filling the air as we gathered as a group for the first time yesterday in the lobby of the Steamroller Hotel.
Day 2: The Real Adventure Begins
The rain poured all night and had me worried, but today was a light drizzle only, and just until lunch. Had to use the outhouse in the middle of the night and woke Sean to escort me.
Day 3: Following in the Footsteps of History
Quite the day today! But I’ll begin with the rest of yesterday’s evening first. Shrimp Curry with Rice was dinner, and nothing has ever tasted so good. It was cold at camp though, so I headed to our tent shortly after eating.
Day 4: To the Pass
What a glorious, difficult day! We got an early start with breakfast at 7:30 AM. Sean added a crumbled ‘lemon meringue pie‘ protein bar to our muesli, which was quite delicious, along with my coffee + hot chocolate mocha.
Day 5: What a Day
Oh, glorious day! The best hike, a swim in a lake, the last day…
However, it started in a drizzle and with a wet tent, which is not the nicest way to start the day.
Day 6: Journey's End
Woke up to a wet tent and drizzle, despite thinking we’d get lucky on the last morning and not have to pack up a wet tent. No matter; I was in good spirits thinking about getting back to showers and beds and real food and wine tonight.