YukonRiverUpdate

Swenson Yukon River Updates

Thursday, August 1, 2002:

Friday, August 2, 2002: Eric and Alex travelled 25 miles today, from Whitehorse to the vicinity of Lake Laberge. The weather was clear and in the 70s and the river was crystal clear with an acquamarine color. He and his travelling companion Alex Stafford and his two dogs, MJ and Isis, saw several fishing boats and a bald eagle as they moved along the river at a rate of 5 mph. Their coordinates are: North 60 degrees, 55 minutes and 58 seconds; West 135 degrees, 4 minutes and 41 seconds.

Saturday, August 3, 2002:

Sunday, August 4, 2002 :

Monday, August 5, 2002: Due to strong winds (30-40 mph) and rough waters Eric and Alex decided to stay on land today. Weather was clear though windy. They met a public television film crew who was trying to travel the river from Whitehorse to Dawson the same way folks did 100 years ago with respect to equipment. Needless to say, the crew was having a bad experience which included running very low on food. Their coordinates are: North 61 degrees, 19 minutes and 10 seconds; West 135 degrees, 13 minutes and 29 seconds.

Tuesday, August 6, 2002: Eric and his companion Alex rowed approximately 50 miles down river leaving Lake Laberge and entered a portion of the Yukon River designated as a National Heritage area because of its scenic beauty. They had an interesting experience meeting four German rowers who had constructed sails on their canoes. Unfortunately, Eric and Alex tried to duplicate the design but found it to be "easier said than done" so they continued to press on until 7:45 pm.

Wednesday, August 7, 2002: With clear weather in the 50s they have seen several more bald eagles and tried their hand at fly fishing in the back eddy areas of the river. Though unsuccessful in actually landing a fish , they hope to catch some Arctic Grayling, an abundant river fish, for dinner tonight. So far they have seen many rowers from around the world and few Americans, but hope springs eternal. Eric is planning to reach the halfway mark at the town of Carmacks on August 9th. Their current coordinates are: North 61 degrees, 45 minutes 27 seconds; West 134 degrees, 57 minutes and 7 seconds.

Thursday, August 8, 2002: Eric reached close to halfway point in his journey when his canoe touched shore in Carmacks. He and Alex rowed 41 miles and achieved their goal of reaching Carmacks a day ahead of schedule. They spend the night at the Coalmine Campgrounds, just outside of Carmacks which is the only place to camp between Whitehorse and Dawson. Still no luck in catching the local fish. Their coordinates are: North 62 degrees, 5 minutes and 20 seconds; West 136 degrees, 17 minutes and 30 seconds.

Friday, August 9, 2002: After a restfull night sleep, Eric decided to join one of the locals on a short trip to the Carmacks landfill which he described as an open pit which is covered every other week, Yukon style. There is also recycling in the Yukon though in the early developmental stages. In fact, the landfill brings in about $40 a day in bottle/can deposits. Eric plans to start the next leg of his journey about 3 pm today and hopes to row for about 5-6 hours. He reported the weather to be overcast with rain in the 60s though chilly at night, in the 40s. Eric is in his usual great spirits and really enjoying the beauty of the Yukon.

Saturday, August 10, 2002:

Sunday, August 11, 2002:

Monday, August 12, 2002: Eric reached the two-thirds mark in his 460 mile journey by canoeing an additional 100 miles since his August 9th report. He and Alex plan to row at least 33 miles per day to reach Dawson by Friday, August 16th. Although the weather on August 9th was windy and raining, they were able to see several eagles, moose and falcons in this particularly mountainous section of the Yukon River. They still haven't caught any fish. Their coordinates were : North 62 degrees, 48 minutes and 25 seconds; West 137 degrees, 27 minutes and 52 seconds.

Tuesday, August 13, 2002: Eric and Alex pushed on through rain, strong head winds and white caps saying that the weather conditions were the harshest so far. When it got too rough on the river they rowed ashore to seek temporary safe harbor. The boys deserved a long night sleep after that rigorous effort.

Wednesday, August 14, 2002: Eric and company resumed their trek after a long and good night sleep. The weather was much better today since the rain finally subsided and the skies were clear and the temperature in the 60s. Shoving off about 10 am, they estimated that they traveled about 75 miles since Monday, August 12th and have completed, to date, about three quarters of their Yukon adventure. Unlike the lower 48 states they were not able to see the meteor showers this past Monday because of the "midnight sun." However, they saw many mountain sheep in the highlands and moose bathing in the river. In fact, after a long day of rowing at about 10 pm, they just jumped into the river to clean off and refresh.. After the first few hundred soakings you get use to the cool river temperatures. They also saw another canoer who had hand-crafted his own canoe some 20 years ago with beautiful wood inlays. He and his son were able to provide some company for Eric and Alex as they canoed along sidee each other. Although they landed two (2) fish, those arctic graylings some how slipped away. So still no fish to eat. Thank goodness for lots of provisions. Coordinates: North 63 degrees, 0 minutes and 8 seconds ; West 139 degrees, 30 minutes and 59 seconds.

Thursday, August 15, 2002:

Friday, August 16, 2002: Eric and Alex arrived at Dawson, completing their 460 mile journey down the Yukon River which began on August 1st at Whitehorse. The rowing was more tiring than expected, but they persevered and achieved their objective. Final coordinates: North 64 degrees, 3 minutes and 45 seconds; West 139 degrees, 26 minutes and 15 seconds.


		Swenson Yukon River Updates Thursday, August 1, 2002: Friday, August 2, 2002: Eric and Alex travelled 25 miles today, from Whitehorse to the vicinity of Lake Laberge. The weather was clear and in the 70s and the river was crystal clear with an acquamarine color. He and his travelling companion Alex Stafford and his two dogs, MJ and Isis, saw several fishing boats and a bald eagle as they moved along the river at a rate of 5 mph. Their coordinates are: North 60 degrees, 55 minutes and 58 seconds; West 135 degrees, 4 minutes and 41 seconds. Saturday, August 3, 2002: Sunday, August 4, 2002 : Monday, August 5, 2002: Due to strong winds (30-40 mph) and rough waters Eric and Alex decided to stay on land today. Weather was clear though windy. They met a public television film crew who was trying to travel the river from Whitehorse to Dawson the same way folks did 100 years ago with respect to equipment. Needless to say, the crew was having a bad experience which included running very low on food. Their coordinates are: North 61 degrees, 19 minutes and 10 seconds; West 135 degrees, 13 minutes and 29 seconds. Tuesday, August 6, 2002: Eric and his companion Alex rowed approximately 50 miles down river leaving Lake Laberge and entered a portion of the Yukon River designated as a National Heritage area because of its scenic beauty. They had an interesting experience meeting four German rowers who had constructed sails on their canoes. Unfortunately, Eric and Alex tried to duplicate the design but found it to be "easier said than done" so they continued to press on until 7:45 pm. Wednesday, August 7, 2002: With clear weather in the 50s they have seen several more bald eagles and tried their hand at fly fishing in the back eddy areas of the river. Though unsuccessful in actually landing a fish , they hope to catch some Arctic Grayling, an abundant river fish, for dinner tonight. So far they have seen many rowers from around the world and few Americans, but hope springs eternal. Eric is planning to reach the halfway mark at the town of Carmacks on August 9th. Their current coordinates are: North 61 degrees, 45 minutes 27 seconds; West 134 degrees, 57 minutes and 7 seconds. Thursday, August 8, 2002: Eric reached close to halfway point in his journey when his canoe touched shore in Carmacks. He and Alex rowed 41 miles and achieved their goal of reaching Carmacks a day ahead of schedule. They spend the night at the Coalmine Campgrounds, just outside of Carmacks which is the only place to camp between Whitehorse and Dawson. Still no luck in catching the local fish. Their coordinates are: North 62 degrees, 5 minutes and 20 seconds; West 136 degrees, 17 minutes and 30 seconds. Friday, August 9, 2002: After a restfull night sleep, Eric decided to join one of the locals on a short trip to the Carmacks landfill which he described as an open pit which is covered every other week, Yukon style. There is also recycling in the Yukon though in the early developmental stages. In fact, the landfill brings in about $40 a day in bottle/can deposits. Eric plans to start the next leg of his journey about 3 pm today and hopes to row for about 5-6 hours. He reported the weather to be overcast with rain in the 60s though chilly at night, in the 40s. Eric is in his usual great spirits and really enjoying the beauty of the Yukon. Saturday, August 10, 2002: Sunday, August 11, 2002: Monday, August 12, 2002: Eric reached the two-thirds mark in his 460 mile journey by canoeing an additional 100 miles since his August 9th report. He and Alex plan to row at least 33 miles per day to reach Dawson by Friday, August 16th. Although the weather on August 9th was windy and raining, they were able to see several eagles, moose and falcons in this particularly mountainous section of the Yukon River. They still haven't caught any fish. Their coordinates were : North 62 degrees, 48 minutes and 25 seconds; West 137 degrees, 27 minutes and 52 seconds. Tuesday, August 13, 2002: Eric and Alex pushed on through rain, strong head winds and white caps saying that the weather conditions were the harshest so far. When it got too rough on the river they rowed ashore to seek temporary safe harbor. The boys deserved a long night sleep after that rigorous effort. Wednesday, August 14, 2002: Eric and company resumed their trek after a long and good night sleep. The weather was much better today since the rain finally subsided and the skies were clear and the temperature in the 60s. Shoving off about 10 am, they estimated that they traveled about 75 miles since Monday, August 12th and have completed, to date, about three quarters of their Yukon adventure. Unlike the lower 48 states they were not able to see the meteor showers this past Monday because of the "midnight sun." However, they saw many mountain sheep in the highlands and moose bathing in the river. In fact, after a long day of rowing at about 10 pm, they just jumped into the river to clean off and refresh.. After the first few hundred soakings you get use to the cool river temperatures. They also saw another canoer who had hand-crafted his own canoe some 20 years ago with beautiful wood inlays. He and his son were able to provide some company for Eric and Alex as they canoed along sidee each other. Although they landed two (2) fish, those arctic graylings some how slipped away. So still no fish to eat. Thank goodness for lots of provisions. Coordinates: North 63 degrees, 0 minutes and 8 seconds ; West 139 degrees, 30 minutes and 59 seconds. Thursday, August 15, 2002: Friday, August 16, 2002: Eric and Alex arrived at Dawson, completing their 460 mile journey down the Yukon River which began on August 1st at Whitehorse. The rowing was more tiring than expected, but they persevered and achieved their objective. Final coordinates: North 64 degrees, 3 minutes and 45 seconds; West 139 degrees, 26 minutes and 15 seconds.