I've been in Whitehorse since Friday. Happily I wrangled some hikes around town with some of my new Yukon friends and their Yukon dogs. There is snow everywhere, but in the higher elevations it is the best kind of winter. Super dry cold - can one ever moisturize enough up here?! - gorgeous fluffy snow on all the trees. A certain monochromatic whiteness and ever changing skies.
Dressing for this weather is much simpler than the damp cold in Ottawa and similar locales. Basically, with the right mix of performance clothing the cold stays outside; it just doesn't get into your bones. Also, there was no wind today. Wind makes such a ridge walk a whole different sort of experience. When we started the hike today it was probably around -18C or so. It felt fine and there was some de-layering needed on the uphill portion.
Our high point today was 1,507 m. We climbed 400 m from Fish Lake Road to the top of the ridge, according to
my inReach. As Whitehorse is around 700 m, it doesn't conjure quite this wintry feeling, yet.
The scenery is crazy gorgeous. I mean it is stunning in the summer here but mind-blowing now. Check out today's Fish Lake hike up on to the ridge.
 |
| The view across Fish Lake from the ridge. |
 |
| Walking along the ridge. |
 |
This Yukon dog really didn't appreciate standing still on
the snow. Do check out the backdrop! |
 |
The human hiking pals, some I met a few months ago, some today.
That is how it rolls. |
 |
| Short breaks make for happy hikers. |
 |
| Snow covered trees in the sunlight. |
 |
| The Ridge. We are just above the treeline here. |
 |
| Fun hike. |
