Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Quadra Island Boat Tour Contest
    • Vacay in Victoria Contest
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year!
    • Amateur Video Creator of the Year
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Quadra Island Boat Tour Contest
    • Vacay in Victoria Contest
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year!
    • Amateur Video Creator of the Year
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / news / Walking the Dempster

Patrick Jackson and his dog Dawson spend some time training on the Kusawa Lake Road for their Dempster Walk-A-Thon set to begin April 12. (Submitted)

Walking the Dempster

April 13, 2021 //  by Stephanie Waddell

Share this:

Patrick Jackson isn’t letting the late, cold Yukon winter get in his way of taking a 405-kilometre journey by foot along the Dempster Highway.

The Yukoner and his dog Dawson will soon begin trekking the roadway from where it begins at the North Klondike Highway to the Arctic Circle, a trip expected to take between 17 and 21 days.

It will also serve as a fundraiser for the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition with Jackson accepting per kilometre donations for the coalition.

His Dempster Walk-A-Thon, as he’s dubbed it, is something he’s always wanted to accomplish.

“It’s been on my bucket list for awhile,” he says.

He now finds himself with the time to do it.

“Time and opportunity allows me to begin this journey on April 12, 2021,” he stated on his website detailing his plans.

Many who hear about Jackson’s plans ask one question: “Why?”

His response: “Why not?”

READ MORE: 3 Epic highways for your next Yukon road trip

Jackson has driven the Dempster in the past and looks forward to experiencing the highway at a more sedate pace.

While there’ll be some cold nights along the way, as Yukoners continue waiting for spring to show up, it’s also pretty much guaranteed that he won’t contend with the massive bug population the Dempster is so well-known for or the mud that often comes with warmer seasons.

Hopefully, he says, the daytime temperatures will be a bit more spring-like, giving him some “beautiful, warm days.” The increasing daylight this time of year brings will also be a benefit.

Along with the challenge of the journey itself, Jackson says he enjoys a good logistical challenge. That’s exactly what he’s getting in planning for the self-supported trip.

READ MORE: All aboard! Train traces the epic Klondike journey

Dawson the dog sits next to the Chariot Patrick Jackson has loaded and rigged up to walk the Dempster Highway from where it begins, off the North Klondike Highway, to the Arctic Circle. (Submitted)

It’s meant making modifications, including creating his own panels and high visibility flags, to a “chariot” where his and Dawson’s gear will be stored, planning how to best pack and keeping the weight as low as possible with things like dehydrated food. Staff at the territory’s Department of Highways and Public Works have been incredibly helpful in sharing information about the highway and the conditions he might encounter at this time of year, he says.

While he’s not entirely sure what the precise weight of the chariot is when fully packed, he’s taken it out with everything in it for a dry run along the Kusawa Lake Road.

“It doesn’t feel like much,” he says.

He’s also been training toward a goal of walking 25 kilometres each day of his walk-a-thon.

Knowing it’s not a race, his schedule is fairly open and will allow for rest days if he needs them.

His ultimate goal is more about the destination than how quickly he’ll get there.

“I’m quite determined to get to the Arctic Circle,” Jackson says.

READ MORE: Own downtown Chicken, Alaska for just $750,000

He also hopes to raise as much money as possible for the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition.

As the Dempster Walk-A-Thon has drawn closer, Jackson says he started considering ways it could benefit others and decided to use it to raise money for the Coalition.

As the previous owner of the Changing Gear sporting goods consignment shop, Jackson had worked with the group, providing unsold winter clothing for the coalition’s Whitehorse Connects events which provided free services to those in need, from hair cuts to physiotherapy to clothing.

Those donating to Jackson’s campaign can have their donation directed to one of three programs offered by the coalition: Whitehorse Connects; Voices Influencing Change, a program for those with lived experience; and The Backyard Garden, which promotes growing local food for those who are part of Voices Influencing Change.

Jackson says that with many Yukoners feeling the economic impacts of COVID-19 over the past year, the importance of the work of the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition has been emphasized for him.

Coalition executive director Kristina Craig said the group is pleased to continue working with Jackson as he gets set for his Dempster Walk-A-Thon.

“He has suggested that YAPC is an integral resource in the community so this is a real show of support for the work we do,” Craig said. “We really are blown away that Patrick has turned his walk into a fundraiser for us and that he is fully funding his whole trip. We’ll be with him and Dawson the dog for every step.”

***

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: news, TravelTag: Canada, Visit Yukon, WCT Intro

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Ross Street Patio celebrates 10th anniversary with special brew

Red Deer’s Ross Street Patio is celebrating its 10th anniversary with some special suds. The…

Ross Street Patio celebrates 10th anniversary with special brewRead More

Flightfest set to soar once again over Chilliwack

Chilliwack Flightfest will take to the skies once again for this summer. The free airshow…

Flightfest set to soar once again over ChilliwackRead More

‘Hike Our Story’ in epic Kootenay Boundary challenge

A new hiking challenge launched in the Kootenay Boundary is motivating residents as well as…

‘Hike Our Story’ in epic Kootenay Boundary challengeRead More

Vancouver Island treetop retreat tops Airbnb list of Canada’s best new hosts

This treetop destination is a great place to hang out for a getaway to remember.…

Vancouver Island treetop retreat tops Airbnb list of Canada’s best new hostsRead More

Adäka Cultural Festival returning to Whitehorse this summer

The Adäka Cultural Festival celebrates its 10th year in person this year with the theme…

Adäka Cultural Festival returning to Whitehorse this summerRead More

Singletrack or cross-country, your 2-wheel Cariboo adventure starts here

Boasting a spectacular mix of rides, from steep mountain trails to epic cross-country routes, few…

Singletrack or cross-country, your 2-wheel Cariboo adventure starts hereRead More

World invited back to Parksville beach as sandcastles poised to make a return

Parksville Beach Festival Society has unveiled a list of seven teams and 15 individual sand…

World invited back to Parksville beach as sandcastles poised to make a returnRead More

UPDATE: Endangered American badger raising kits in Williams Lake

Brandi Magnus and her husband Jim McIntyre are grateful to be off from work, but…

UPDATE: Endangered American badger raising kits in Williams LakeRead More

Canadians hold nose at gas prices as they hit the road, skies once again

Even as gas prices hit record highs, Canadians are fanning out across the country for…

Canadians hold nose at gas prices as they hit the road, skies once againRead More

Previous Post: « Battle in the sky erupts above South Okanagan lake
Next Post: From the U.K. with love: Okanagan wine, scenery receives international praise »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Ross Street Patio celebrates 10th anniversary with special brew

May 19, 2022

Flightfest set to soar once again over Chilliwack

May 17, 2022

‘Hike Our Story’ in epic Kootenay Boundary challenge

May 17, 2022

Vancouver Island treetop retreat tops Airbnb list of Canada’s best new hosts

May 17, 2022

Recent Posts

Ross Street Patio celebrates 10th anniversary with special brew

May 19, 2022

Flightfest set to soar once again over Chilliwack

May 17, 2022

‘Hike Our Story’ in epic Kootenay Boundary challenge

May 17, 2022

Vancouver Island treetop retreat tops Airbnb list of Canada’s best new hosts

May 17, 2022

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2022 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved