Course Details and Schedule

1000

• Transport from downtown Whitehorse to accommodation (Takhini Hot Springs Resort Suites)

1100-1300       

• Introductions

• Review agenda for the day/weekend

• Waivers

• Housekeeping: hostel rules, hot springs use/location, coffee shop location & hours, room assignments, internet, etc

1300-1400

• Lunch

1400-1700

• Rental gear handout

• Kit check (all mandatory gear must be present)

• Stove lighting, bivy set up, & sled/bike packing demo – at least one instructor will go through their set up systematically, and then participants will find a spot to set up their own.

• We will go for a short walk (~1.5 hrs) from the hostel to test sleds and rental gear.

1800

• Dinner

• During dinner we will review the plan for the next day.

0700-0900

• Breakfast

0900-1200

• Powerpoint presentation:

  • Trail description for 100 & 300 mile routes

  • Etiquette on the trail

  • Weather forecast for today and tomorrow

  • Navigation – lesson on map reading which will be a hands-on lesson in the afternoon

1200-1300

• Lunch

1300-1400

• Pack full kit for a sled pull

• We will be gone until dinnertime so bring water/snacks

1400-1700

• Sled pull from overland trail into the hills (~20 min drive to trailhead)

• Fire starting demo by instructors

• Fire starting practice for all participants

• Stove lighting

• Navigation exercise

1830

• Dinner

• Free time after dinner

0800-0900

• Breakfast

0900-1200

• Powerpoint

  • Overflow

  • Extreme cold – revisit medical issues and emergency scenarios

  • Animal encounters

• Stove maintenance lesson - Fabian

1200-1400

• Light snacks provided

• Pack your sleds and be 100% ready to go by 2pm (full afternoon and night out, with late lunch provided at Muktuk; ***bring your own trail meal for dinner***)

• You will need fuel, your stove, matches, firestarter, water, spare layers, full sleeping system – we are spending the night and will not be back at the hostel until about 7-8am.

• This is a mock race day/night without the pressure of being timed or on a schedule, but the idea is to ‘do you’ and figure out a pace that works for the temp and manage your own breaks and layers. There is no expectation to keep up with the group and there are no ‘winners’.

• Pack everything you are planning to bring to the race (for food just bring what you need for snacks + your trail dinner).

1400

• Pick-up/transport to Muktuk Adventures (approx. half hour drive)

• Anyone who is joining us just for the day trip will be picked up at the Sternwheeler Hotel (downtown Whitehorse) and taken out to Muktuk.

1500           

• Lunch provided by Muktuk at their lodge

1600           

• Leave for Old Dawson Trail

• The stretch is about 18-20 km – it can take 3-5 hours depending on pace; it is all frozen river travel.

• The group can spread out so be prepared to be alone. An instructor will be at the very back and the very front, and one somewhere in the middle. We will have a snowmobile for support, and a well-marked trail leading to where we will finish. An instructor will be at the bivy area and show everyone where to go to set up camp.

• The finish location is off the river and in the forest near the overland trail parking lot

2000/2100

• Approximate arrival at Overland Dawson Trail parking area – it will be dark!

• On arrival find a spot to set up your bivvy (remember what you learned about choosing a spot – make sure it is a good spot to sleep)

• Have your trail meal, light a fire, and get into your bivy

• Be prepared to spend the night and not be able to sleep – bring a book!

0700-0900

• Transport back to hostel – unpack, warm up, dry out

• Breakfast

0900-1200

• Debrief trail outing and address any gear concerns/malfunctions/etc

• Review trail descriptions for 100 & 300 where applicable

• Chat about fatigue & decision making & mental strength

• Problem solving exercise on mistakes & solutions

1200-1300

• Lunch

1300-1700

• Discuss pre-race schedule

• Where to shop in Whitehorse for food/gear etc

• Look at the forecast

• Feedback forms to participants

• Slide show/race video

• Revisit any area of concern and/or cover anything we haven’t touched on

1700-1800

• Free time

1800

• Dinner

• Group hot springs soak

• Please be ready to move out in the morning by 11am

***If anyone wishes to be in town tonight instead of the next morning, we can accommodate this***

0900-departure

• Breakfast

• Clean up

1100-1200

• Transport to town

• Hotels may allow early check-in or hold onto gear until you can – sleds can stay in the U-Haul until check in

• There are nice places to have lunch in town and walk around/shop