Training in -40 (Canadian Yukon)

Okay, I'm a huge fan of the Alaska Marine Highway System, but our trip on the Aurora last weekend to Skagway en route to Whitehorse during high winds (50-60 mph) made me question the prudence of winter ferry travel in southeast Alaska (or maybe just the prudence of our decision to board a ferry during high wind alerts in January). Here's a picture of our window after an hour of blistering ice and waves...
Normally, we're staring out the window at the beautifully rugged mountains lining Lynn Canal. But, not last Friday.

For nearly four hourse, the waves repeatedly crashed over the bow of the ferry, the steward passed out new barf bags, the cook got sick along with 25% of the passengers, and I clung to a rail outside in an effort to hold my stomach together. Finally, after almost nine hours, we drove off the ferry in Skagway and headed up the Klondike highway towards Whitehorse, the capitol of the Canadian Yukon, for a weekend of skiing in "real" winter weather.

The temps dipped to -40 the first night and we needed to get our car jumped Saturday morning. It was a balmy -30 as we pulled on our gear at Mount McIntyre and headed out to the track (notice the boot covers).

The area reminded me of skiing the Gunflint Trail in northern Minnesota.

It was darn cold for our Juneau blood. But, there are advantages...wax once with special green and it holds all winter.

The disadvantages to cold and powdery snow showed most in the large amount of time it took us to accrue any real mileage: zero glide. Also, our GU and energy bars froze up rock solid within the first hour on the trail.

After three days of frigid weather, we were ready to brave the ferry back to Juneau. But, we knew we'd miss the cozy wax room and friendly Yukoners.

Imagine a wax room such as this in Spaulding Meadow...