Whitehorse and Sunrays

The rain has tapered, just the occasional drop to remind you it isn't totally gone. You are still at its mercy. I'm in town, getting some info and planning a hike. It climbs up out of Skagway, AK on the chilkoot trail and drops back into Canada, at an old historic (ghost) town called Bennett. Then, I plan to take a train back along a similar ridge to Skagway to reclaim the van. Should take 3 days or so. Talking to the park service about the permitting, there's an awful lot of talk of the problem bear at one camp and the avalanche risk on the approach to the pass. And I gotta book that train in advance, as it can fill up... usually later in the season. The train doesn't run on Mondays, so ill have to book it for Tuesday... holding me in orbit of this area until then. The weather doesn't look great, but I suspect that this trip should be approached like my Seattle friends live- you just gotta do it. Only let the weather decide what layers to bring, not if you get to go or not. I do like that kind of attitude in general.

I've popped into town to explore a bit. This is one of the few towns that actually warrant the term 'explore'. Its more than just one block! The visitor center soaks up some of my time too. (Read: WiFi and electricity inside where its warm and mosquito free)

Speaking of cold... it has gotten chilly! I nearly busted out my little heater last night. Instead, cooking inside the van (Door with the kitchen box closed) brought the temp up nicely. And, evidently the van is insulated well enough to hold onto it for most of the night. That's comforting. I enjoy testing my self and my work... especially when the results are positive.

I could use a dry sunny day to patch a leak in the van's rear "cyclops" taillight, as well as put a little love into the packraft. I guess I'll use that window when it appears. I may have gotten spoiled by the beautiful sunny days across BC.