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Day 14 - 8:00 PM
Valdez to Haines Junction
We departed Valdez, Alaska this morning at 7:00 am, in-route to Haines Junction in Canada's vast Yukon Territory. The sun was just finding the tips of the snowy peaks that surrounded us as we backtracked on the Richardson Highway to make our way to the Alaska Highway, which would carry us south to Haines Junction.
Today was the second-longest driving day of the Alaskan odyssey, netting close to 1,000 km on the Cayenne's clock before reaching our destination at 7:00 pm. Although long in both distance and driving time, the trip passed more quickly than I thought it would, and it wasn't our breakneck pace that was responsible for the accelerated passage of hours - it was the enjoyment that accompanied us along the way.
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| Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com |
Three elements contributed to the immense enjoyment that we all thrived on today. They were, in no particular order: the surreal scenery, the kinship that develops between participants during an adventure such as this, and the outstanding performance of the Porsche Cayennes.
The visual panoramas in which we were immersed the entire day were truly magnificent and well beyond expectation. The azure blue sky seemed to stretch forever, except where it was lacerated by jagged peaks coated in vividly white snow. The contrast of the two was simply breathtaking and more magnificent than any camera could adequately capture.
Both Alaska and the Yukon are entrenched with massive mountain ranges that change with every mile driven and every corner turned. The visual feast is stunning, and we experienced its full potential under today's brilliant, unfiltered sunlight.
And the "we" spoken of includes my colleague and driving partner, Grant Yoxon, but it also includes our two Porsche representatives, Tony Morris and Rick Bye, as well as our six Italian friends who traveled from Pesaro, Italy to take part in this sublime adventure.
This is the sixth year that Stefano Vichi and his Italian companions have organized and led the Arctic Route Adventure, which has until this year has taken them into the Arctic via European-based routes. For 2011, the group decided to attack the north from Canada, departing from Vancouver (as covered earlier by Matt's blog entries).
Although I'm only into the third day with my new Italian cohorts, I am greatly entertained by their animated conversations and broad smiles, and oh - I have been renamed "Roberto".
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| Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com |
The third key to the success of our journey is our form of transportation. Thanks to Tony and Rick, we have the pleasure and privilege of travelling in 2011 Porsche Cayennes. Our fleet includes a Cayenne S along with a Hybrid Cayenne and a V6-powered version.
Grant and I have been assigned the V6 Cayenne, and I couldn't be more impressed with its performance. The new engine turns out 300 horsepower along with impressive low-end torque, all of which flows through an 8-speed autobox.
Our spry chariot is as tight and rigid as they come. Over the worst roads that Alaska and Canada have to offer, the Cayenne nary utters a rattle, thump or squeak. And funny enough, the worst of the worst roads were found this side of the Alaska/Canada border. As if to welcome us back to Canada, we encountered a snow squall within a few kilomertres of entering the country and were greeted by signs warning of road construction for the next 182 km. Ah, it's nice to be home!
Tomorrow is a more relaxed day as we make our way from Haines Junction to Watson Lake on the Yukon/BC border. Talk later.
Rob