Day 8 Yukon River

Is it still a slow start if a slow start is typically routine?

Following a late night enjoying food, tunes and an occasional sip of whiskey Jackson and I rose around 9:30 AM. Two cups of coffee, hash browns and a rinse in the cool water of the Yukon put us on the river around 1pm. Twenty-four hours of sunlight is a magical thing. It has a unique way of making time irrelevant.

For the firs time this trip Jackson took stern. The day on the water was fairly slow and tiring. The scenery was amazing but difficult to appreciate due to our own negligence. Neither Jackson nor I touched any food after breakfast other than 6 Oreos munched throughout the day. We were more consumed with paddling and making miles than stopping to eat. As I write this in my tent at night it's clear to see that this plan rarely works out well.

As we slowed and began looking for a suitable camp we rounded the corner of an Island and spotted a massive moose relaxing and feeding in the tall grass at the waters edge. With the moose still in sight we stopped at an Island down river to scout a possible campsite. Once out and walking around both of us immediately noticed large moose tracks sunken deep in the mud. On closer look we found small bear tracks as well, likely a cub. Sticking to rule of not camping near bear tracks or bear scat, we hopped back in the boat and continued our search for camp down river.

Not far after the tracked up island we found a large suitable gravel bar with a fire ring and tent spots tucked into the trees. After setting up camp I fished for a bit with no luck as Jackson cooked dinner- Ramen appetizer with a main course of tortilla soup and a side of rice.

We sat next to a driftwood fire and soaked in the amazing view. The beauty of the Yukon is unrivaled. In that moment, relaxing around the campfire under a mountain skyline, I felt as though I was on the cover of so many of the great Canoe & Kayak Magazines I’ve read over the years. The river around us, pouring past each side of the island, with more islands littered in every direction, both up stream and down stream. Mountains line the horizon 360 degrees. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. When I think of Alaska and the Yukon, this image emerges to the forefront.

After dinner and around midnight the sky transformed into a deep purple blanket, with the water reflecting the same color back.

I’ve seen a lot of red, orange and pink sunsets in my life, all of which are beautiful. But never have I seen a purple like this fill the sky.

I’m in an amazing, wild place. And I love it.
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Thoughts from the River

Midnight Sun. Mountains moved by water. The Yukon is the place for me.

I’m in such an amazing place and completely content, yet I can’t stop referring back to the Mississippi and thinking “this is how I felt on the Miss” or chasing the feeling I had on the Miss.

The Yukon is a much more beautiful river than the Mississippi, but at the moment, I still find myself drawn to the Miss and that adventure more. Part of it is the history steeped within the waters of the Mississippi. Part of it is the fact that I did it solo, and part of it is the people and towns along the way. The good news for the Yukon is that it is early. Only day 9 of what is expected to be 70 or so. Yee-Haw.

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Day 8 of a 70 day expedition canoeing the length of the Yukon River, Source to Sea, Summer of 2018 #buffaloroamer