Day 6 - Aug 9: Ross River to Pelly Crossing

I found out today that due to the rough road conditions of the Campbell Highway between Watson Lake and Pelly Crossing, that most support vehicles stayed on the Alaska Highway to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. From there, the support vehicles will head north and meet up with the main AC'12 convoy. I would guess they will take Highway 2 to Carmacks, and then on to Pelly Crossing.

Some of you might be interested to know that Ross River is where the Canol Highway crosses the Campbell Highway and then the Pelly River. The Canol Highway goes way up into the Northwest Territories. The Canol (Canadian Oil) Highway was also a WWII construction project. The old pipeline bridge is now a walking bridge. Crossing in summer is by a cable ferry. Crossing in winter is by ice road.

Faint line across river from right to left is the ice road at Ross River
The cable ferry is next to the old pipeline bridge (far right)
SPOT satellite imagery

This morning the main convoy passed near the town of Faro. People in town were anxious to see the convoy and posted to Facebook that they would be out on the main highway ready to cheer them on.

AC'12 Day 6 travel route

- Ellen

Day 5 - Aug 8: Up the Campbell Highway

The AC'12 convoy left the Alaska Highway at Watson Lake, Yukon Territory. They are now traveling the Campbell Highway. Have no fear, they will come back via the Alaska Highway. This route will take them to the Dempster Highway (where they will go up to the Arctic Circle) and to Dawson City. The planned stop for Day 5 is at Ross River.

AC'12 Day 5 travel route

Until they get to Dawson City, they will be pretty much be without cell or internet. We will track their progress via SPOT (as long as they remember to turn it on!) Here is a SPOT image of a piece of today's travel:

Campbell Hwy along Frances Lake

I believe the brown areas are one of three things: wild fire, logging then burning, or beetle kill. The imagery is not high enough resolution. Riparian (creeks, drainages) are still green which could happen with all three of these events. I don't see typical signs of logging such as slash piles/rows, skidding, yarding areas, temp roads, etc.  My opinion is that it is from wild fire.

- Ellen