The Yukon canoe and Kayak Club holds an event every year called the Whitewater Rodeo.
Paddlers take to the waves created right outside the Whitehorse hydroelectric dam, as fans watch from Centennial Bridge.
It’s an entertainign evening watching the paddlers do flips, rolls and some jousting, like bumper cars trying to playfully knock each other out of an eddy.
Some friends and I recently paddled from Carmacks to Dawson City. The journey takes about 6 days.
It’s a very easy section to do as the current is strong. The river pushes you along at around 6km/hour without even paddling. With some paddling you can push to about a 10 km/hour average speed.
The distance of about 400 kilometres means about 40 hours of sustained paddling at this speed.
Rental places allow you to be dropped off in Carmacks then drop off the canoe and supplies in Dawson City before taking a bus back to Whitehorse.
Posted in Canoes, lakes and water, Mountains, Rivers, Scenery, Summer, Yukon River
A company called Sherp Canada held a demonstration outside Whitehorse. These machines are made in Ukraine and can go through mud, water, ice, snow — you name it.
One thing I noticed though, is that they tear up the countryside. This is partly because of the huge wheels and the method of turning, which is like a tank. Wheels turning forwards and backwards, pivoting the vehicle, tend to mash the ground and dig into it.
The manufacturers hope the Canadian Forces will buy some.
The Yukon River Quest starts in Whitehorse and ends in Dawson City. People use canoes, kayaks and even stand-up paddle boards.
The total distance is more than 700 kilometres. There are enforced breaks along the way but teams and solo paddlers continue through the nights.
This year there were 94 teams from 14 countries. The #1 team (this year, two people in a canoe) finished after about 46 hours in the water.
Posted in Canoes, Dawson City, Rivers, Scenery, Ships and boats, Yukon River, Yukon River Quest
Rainy days are better for seeing wildlife along the Yukon River. This big moose and calf noticed our canoe then walked into the shallow river.
Posted in Canoes, Large mammals (misc), Rivers, Scenery, Uncategorized, Yukon River
The Yukon River has a variety of bird species including falcons, geese, ducks, eagles and more. These are a few spotted during the paddle from Carmacks to Dawson City.
Some friends and I just paddled from Carmacks to Dawson City, Yukon.
The trip runs about 400 kilometres with the canoes pushed by the current all the way. The scenery is majestic.
Posted in Canoes, Mountains, Rivers, Ships and boats, Summer, Yukon River
Tagged Canoeing, Carmacks, Rivers, summer, Yukon River
Every year the Whitehorse Fish Hatchery releases thousands of Chinook salmon.
The fish hatchery is owned by Yukon Energy which runs Whitehorse’s hydroelectric dam. While the dam has a fish ladder and other measures to prevent fish death, it’s believed to have an impact as it blocks the migration way.
Releasing new fish is a way to offset this.
The fish are released at the Wolf Creek Campground outside Whitehorse and children are encouraged to take part.
The weather’s been above 20 celcius in Whitehorse. Even though there’s snow on the mountains it feels like summer.
An evening walk at Miles Canyon reveals high school grads taking photos at this beautiful scenic spot.
Life in Yukon 