Canoeing the Yukon River, Canada: Learning the right way to paddle

By Elspeth Callender
April 9 2016 - 12:15am
Develop some paddling skills and you can tackle the Yukon River. Photo: Elspeth Callender
Develop some paddling skills and you can tackle the Yukon River. Photo: Elspeth Callender
Paddling across Lake Laberge before the wind whips up. Photo: Elspeth Callender
Paddling across Lake Laberge before the wind whips up. Photo: Elspeth Callender
Melinda Stanley faces her fears with a grin. Photo: Philippa Cox
Melinda Stanley faces her fears with a grin. Photo: Philippa Cox
By the Yukon River. Photo: Elspeth Callender
By the Yukon River. Photo: Elspeth Callender

Two 40-something Australians met up in Canada last July to paddle a 416-kilometre stretch of the Yukon River by themselves. One steered from the back, the other navigated at the bow. They were on the water for up to 12 hours a day, sometimes in strong headwinds. Each evening they scoffed wine and cheese in the virtually ceaseless summer sun before setting up camp. After eight days, one wolverine, three bears and several moose, they arrived in the Yukon's historic Dawson City for a music festival they already had tickets for.

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