Walking the Yukon: A Solo Journey Through the Land of Beyond [Paperback]

Chris Townsend (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1993

Leaving Skagway, Alaska, in June 1990, Chris Townsend followed the footsteps of the Klondike goldrushers over Chilkoot Pass to Whitehorse, then north across the Yukon's rugged mountains, wild rivers, and muskeg swamps. 83 days later he crossed the Arctic Circle, struggling to the end of his route through two feet of snow. A travel writer in the best 19th-century tradition, Townsend is little given to introspection. His focus is outward, on history, geology, and wildlife, all of which the Yukon offers in abundance. Everywhere he finds reminders of the gaunt men with gold in their eyes and frost-bitten souls chronicled by Robert Service almost a century ago. Townsend keeps meeting fascinating characters, and something about him encourages them to share their stories. Also featured in the book are appendices on gear, provisions, routes, and clothing.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

An experienced hiker and author of other backpacking books recounts his 1990 solo journey through the Yukon Territory of Canada. Beginning in June on the historic Chilkoot Trail, traveling through the land of the 1897 Gold Rush, and continuing north through the Richardson Mountains in September snows, Townsend encountered stifling heat, deep snow, fierce storms, and clouds of insects. Along the way he confronted moose, bear, caribou, and dozens of fascinating two-legged wanderers just like him. Though the narrative is well balanced among personal reflections, historical anecdotes, and geographical information, the book has few maps and none of the photographs taken and discussed frequently by the author. Valuable appendixes describe clothing, supplies, etc., for those daring enough to take such a journey. Recommended for school and public collections in travel and the outdoors.
- Bruce Alan Hanson, Wayzata East J. H.S. Lib., Minn.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Recommended for collections in travel and the outddors, for schools and public libraries." -- Library Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Ragged Mountain Press (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877424209
• ISBN-13: 978-0877424208
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,139,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars nicely done, could have been more detailed, October 24, 1998

By 

J. K. Kelley "literary mercenary" (Eastern WA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Walking the Yukon: A Solo Journey Through the Land of Beyond (Paperback)

The closest I ever came to doing anything like what Townsend has done was getting off the Alcan in the Yukon to make a pit stop. I sank up to my ankles in muskeg. Half a mile down the road, we passed a sow black bear and two cubs.

Now imagine a thousand miles of that, on foot.

I find Townsend's account believeable, entertaining, and fairly descriptive. He certainly doesn't spare his own embarrassment and he is willing to go into his personal feelings about what he sees. His encounters with Yukoners sound similar to mine: generally quiet and polite, depending a lot on how they are approached, but capable of revealing a great deal about their territory if they believe the listener is interested for the right reasons.

This book could have been longer without becoming dry. It is an account of 82 days of travel on foot. Surely a lot more must have happened than what he describes. In particular, some more detail about the terrain, flora and fauna would be welcome, as would better maps; the ones in the book are not too good. Still heartily recommended for the adventure travel book enthusiast.

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read for the armchair traveller, October 15, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Toronto,Ontario) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walking the Yukon: A Solo Journey Through the Land of Beyond (Paperback)

Well written and enjoyable book for the armchair traveller. Good descriptions of Yukon topography and wildlife as well as a good narrative of the author's long distance hiking trip.