The Dempster, Day 2

As we've gone north the sun rises much later, but also sets later. Not really wanting to get up before it was light outside, we got off to a bit of a late start. I went to start the Jeep and the key fob wouldn't unlock the doors, so I turned the key in the lock and opened the door, setting off the alarm in process. Normally I just put the key in the ignition and it turns off the alarm, however this morning it wouldn't go off. So with the alarm honking away we scrambled to unhook the battery, until Pete tried his key in the ignition and it went off. Strange.

I then went to start the Jeep, it turned over and started, revved, then died five seconds later, it did this several times. Thinking we had frozen fuel lines (it was -30 this morning and we weren't plugged in) we let it sit for a minute while we packed the rest of the stuff up. Pete then tried it and it started right up, odd... guess he's got the magic touch!

Later in the day after another stop, we had the same issue. I think it might just be the battery dieing in the key fob, or at least I hope it is because I'm getting a little sick of the horn going off and entire towns staring at me!

Anyways, we got on our way and within the hour we arrived at the Arctic Circle! I never thought I'd be driving to the Arctic Circle but there we were, what a crazy feeling. We snapped a few photos before gingerly stepping over the line and carrying on northward. The SPOT ceased to work at this point, it couldn't find any satellites. Our GPS was in and out as well, but generally had better reception that the SPOT. Once we were out of the mountains the SPOT was able to reconnect.

 

  

 

The mountains continued, and so did the wind. At times there was so much snow blowing across the road we couldn't see anything. But when we could see the mountains we were in were amazing. No vegetation at all, only the odd bush or tree hidding in a gulley. It was like a bleak, snow covered desert, quite surreal.  We stopped a lot for photos; Pete hiked halfways up a mountain to get a few fantastic shots of the pass we drove through. Shortly thereafter we re-entered the Northwest Territories and slowly the mountains gave way to the plains.

 

  

  

  

 

  

 

We stopped in Fort McPherson for gas and to check out the local canvas and tent shop. They bring in all of their materials for an exorbitant cost from Edmonton and sell to people and companies across Canada. They probably don't make any money but its a government owned operation so I guess that doesn't really matter!

The drive from here was straight, flat, and dare I say a bit boring. We did cross the Mackenzie river one more time though, and found ourselves in Inuvik in good time. Its strange that a town of this size (only 3000 people but its the biggest town we've been in since leaving Ft. McMurray!) can be at the end of such a long and desolate highway.

We had the good fortune of having a friend of a friend who has very graciously invited us to stay at his place. He works as a biologist for Parks Canada, and cooked us a fantastic meal last night. I am now using his internet as Pete puts in his day of work at one of his branches in town! We will probably stick around here all day and hopefully make the final push up to Tuk tomorrow.