Project: Chilkoot Trail

Since our first Sunday in Juneau, I've wanted to hike the Chilkoot trail. A lovely old sourdough shared his experience hiking the trail that first day in Sunday School, and I was immediately entranced. Mr. X and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary recently and decided that hiking the trail would be our gift to each other.

From the Klondike Brochure: "When news of gold discoveries in the Yukon spread throughout the world, the Chilkoot became the most popular route to the gold fields. Between 1897 and1898, thousands of people of all genders, races and lifestyles stampeded across the trail. During the gold rush stampeders were required to carry sufficient supplies to ensure they could support themselves for a year in the remoteness of the Yukon. Outfits typically consisted of a ton of goods."

Luckily, we'll only be carrying 25 lbs (we can hope) and only traveling 33 miles. Some hikers take 3 days, most take 5 days. To get the timing to work right, we've planned 3.5 days.

As with any multiday hiking trip, there is quite the checklist to make it to the hike. Here's the start of ours.

• Passports
• Trail Pass Reservations
• Ferry Schedule and Reservations
• Train Schedule and Reservations
• Gear
• Reading & Research
• Physical Training

Because while planning this adventure, I've enjoyed reading others' experiences, I plan to share our experience with other potential hikers.