The Mobius Trip

to scope out potential for bear attacks





then it was back to eatin'



mmmm. chorizo



made from pingo meat.

to another fabulous sunset,



and slept soundly, unmolested by insect or mammal.

(click for bigger)





Coming up -- do we make the convoy on time? Is the Top of the World closed for good? Will we ever see Tim and John and Chi again? stay tuned.

I'm envious that you went to 40 Mile, as much as I've read its history. That was the gold strike before the really big one, the Klondike.

awesome camping spot ... top of the world, edge of the water ... keep the reports coming Doc!!!

Is this for real or did I miss some glaringly obvious humor fly right over my head?
I can't imagine the size or cost of that piece of glass. Is it even produced?

Still enjoying a great adventure from you two. Keep it coming.

In order of priority I presume?

PS suwee, I think he meant Canon's 600mm F/4. Although that's still a US$8000 piece of glass...

I've read every post in this thread and that's my favorite camping spot. At the end of the road, middle of nowhere, perfect!

Actually, it was pure hyperbole. It was a modern canon slr with a long lens. I didn't get the actual specs of their gear.

I'm ready to fire up day 11...

It was looking to be another banner day weatherwise.



As LDF wandered around taking photos of the town being restored,



I struggled to get my ass in gear.





I never like looking at my watch on these trips, but we had a convoy to catch... 10am at the Jack Wade junction... or else.



<object width="640" height="360" ><param name="movie" value="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMDgyOSZrPUM4YWFxJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" /><embed src="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" flashVars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMDgyOSZrPUM4YWFxJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" width="640" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object>

If it weren't for the mosquitoes, I'd have stayed there a week .

Thanks again for another great report.

Until someone has been there, there is no way to understand what the mosquitoes are like in Canada and Alaska. They can cover the back of your bare hand so it looks as if you have a glove. The good only thing is Dengue Fever and Malaria are not a problem there.

Looking forward to your next installment.

full of energy and focus, LDF cleared the technical section cleanly.

<object width="640" height="360" ><param name="movie" value="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMTI4NCZrPXZueU1DJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" /><embed src="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" flashVars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMTI4NCZrPXZueU1DJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" width="640" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object>

when we got to the "Jackass Bridge", I just had to stop and record it.

<object width="640" height="360" ><param name="movie" value="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMTQyOCZrPThlM2lWJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" /><embed src="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" flashVars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMTQyOCZrPThlM2lWJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" width="640" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object>

out of Clinton Creek back to the T 'o TW was lovely,



except I started to notice that the sky was getting a little "funny"



After the easy water crossing,



we climbed back onto the ridge, and could see what we were headed into. :eek1

<object height="360" width="640">


<embed src="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" flashvars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMTcwNyZrPXFiVDRuJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="360" width="640"></object>

Sorry about the weather-related obsession, but it was a bit more than "oh no, we're going to get wet" whining. Three issues were coming to bear -- first, the top of the world is a great place to be until the lightning starts flying; second, if we were going to get bogged down in rain and mud, we would be late and miss the convoy across the construction area; and third, if we missed that convoy, the next one might be canceled if the road got washed out again.



grrr.

where we'd met the ADV'r on the KTM the afternoon before, LDF checks her rear-view mirror, activates her turn signal, and checks both ways twice before proceeding.



this pretty well sums up what we're getting into:

<object width="640" height="360" ><param name="movie" value="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMjI2OSZrPWJYZlpZJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" /><embed src="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" flashVars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMjI2OSZrPWJYZlpZJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" width="640" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object>

it's about 9am alaska time, which means we've got an hour to cover the 26 miles to the border, get through the border, and then ride the few (5? 12?) miles to where the convoy leaves from.



I'm doing math in my head...



it's gonna be tight.

<object width="640" height="360" ><param name="movie" value="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMjY2OCZrPXg2Z1NhJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" /><embed src="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" flashVars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMjY2OCZrPXg2Z1NhJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" width="640" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object>

the lighting was dramatic, nicely matching the suspense of whether or not we'd make it to Chicken today...



as we got closer, it was like riding straight into a tidal wave just before it breaks, black clouds towering overhead.

to put on our rain gear.

<object width="640" height="360" ><param name="movie" value="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMjgxMCZrPTlVY2RKJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" /><embed src="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" flashVars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMjgxMCZrPTlVY2RKJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" width="640" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object>

I wanted to tie myself to a mast.



Not many photos of the next 45 minutes or so...



I couldn't manage riding one-handed with the rain and wind... but I did take video.

<object width="640" height="360" ><param name="movie" value="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMzE3MiZrPWpLSHJWJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" /><embed src="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" flashVars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMzE3MiZrPWpLSHJWJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" width="640" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object>

"Lobster boy will protect!"

much worse than this...

<object width="640" height="360" ><param name="movie" value="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMzU1MSZrPUpyY1FmJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" /><embed src="https://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2010102002.swf" flashVars="s=ZT0xJmk9MTA2MjkxMzU1MSZrPUpyY1FmJmE9MTM1MDA5MjBfbXM0YWkmdT0xMDAxMg==" width="640" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object>

running late, riding a ridge, in driving rain, high wind, in lightning, with knobby tires.

You guys ROCK!! no pun intended.

This is better than ANY T.V. show!! the suspense is killing me :)

Charlie and Ewan could learn a thing or two from you

Classic stuff.

free drive through bike wash ... and your bikes looked like they were long overdue!!!

I *love* this photograph. Trouble ahead, no way out but forward. :eek1