July 14, 2021
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whatsupyukon.com
HOW TO TRAVEL THE DEMPSTER
with
Paul Rath
Paul Rath is a freelance writer who lives on the Haines Highway where the mountains are many and the people are few. Yukon and Northwest Territories. 1) Make a plan. Services are sparse (one gas station for the first 369 kilometres on the Dempster). Be prepared. Have a realistic idea of how far you can travel and where you will stay. Other than camping, there is very little accommodation. Do your homework. 2) Gather information. Talk to your friends and others who have made the journey. Get an idea of what to expect. 3) Be prepared. Travel with a supply of food and water, as well as warm clothing. Even in the summer, the weather can change
Reflections of a mountain along the Dempster Highway The scenic Dempster Highway snaking through the landscape rapidly. We were in Tuktoyaktuk at the beginning of August and there was a windchill that pushed temps below zero. . 4) Take your time. The journey is your destination, after all. Savour it. There is much to explore. Fabulous scenery to enjoy at almost every turn. Take the time to experience the adventure fully.
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PHOTOS: Paul Rath
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ravelling the Dempster Highway is as iconic of the Northern experience as is watching the Aurora Borealis, photographing a grizzly bear, or gazing at the majestic peaks of Kluane. It is a must-see, an experience not to be missed. If exploring the Dempster Highway, the only highway in Canada that takes you across the Arctic Circle, is on your bucket list, these travel tips are for you. If travelling the Dempster is not on
your bucket list, consider revising your list. Named for the North-West Mounted Police officer William Dempster, who discovered the tragic fate of the Lost Patrol, the highway crosses the northern part of the Yukon, passing by the jagged Tombstone mountains, and across and the western part of the Northwest Territories. Once in the Northwest Territories, the highway encounters both the Peel and the mighty Mackenzie Rivers, to eventually culminate at the shores of the Arctic Ocean. Here are some helpful hints on staying safe while travelling along the Dempster Highway to experience some of the wonders of the
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Travel tips for the uninitiated
