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Day 9 - 1:00 pm
On to Fairbanks, Alaska
On the road again, we're Fairbanks bound, our tailgate larder stocked with sandwiches and coffee. We've got 432 km to cover today, mostly through mountainous terrain and there are no provisions to be had anywhere for several hundred kilometres.
The Hybrid and two Cayenne S models all have adjustable ride height, which was set at maximum for snow clearance. It never really became an issue for us in the non-adjustable V6, so we didn't exactly feel deprived. I'm even assuming our lower centre of gravity gave us more stability and greater aerodynamics.
The winding roads climb up and dive down, often passing over bridges whose wooden planks thrum beneath our wheels.
We park at an overlook pull-off for lunch. Thickly forested foothills, bleak plains and craggy peaks surround us, the sky like a vast dome. Rarely has anything tasted as good as that plain whole-wheat and ham sandwich, washed down with piping hot coffee.
Lesley
Day 9 - 3:00 PM
The Cayenne's all-wheel drive prevails
As the roads wend their way through the thick forest and sheer rock walls, they become more slippery. Until now, this section has been rugged gravel, providing excellent grip, although our Cayenne's windshields bear marks from flying stones.
A thin film of moisture forming on top of the icy road creates an untrustworthy surface, and I'm tentative despite the excellent Pirelli snow tires.
Partway into a sweeping downhill right hander, I can feel the rear start to squirm, wanting to break loose. I fight the temptation to lift off the gas, the worst possible thing to do as it would lighten the rear end even more and probably cause us to spin. Just metres away from a several thousand foot drop, spinning out would be catastrophic.
It's surprisingly easy to regain control though. For a truck-like vehicle, the Cayenne is surprisingly stable. The use of lightweight aluminum body panels and dropping the heavy transfer case in favour of a locking centre diff result in a Cayenne that's several hundred pounds lighter than its predecessor.
Normally, 90 percent of the torque is directed to the rear wheels, but wheel-based sensors detect any slippage and can redirect as much torque to the front as needed. Moving the centre console-based lever to the "mountain" symbol locks the centre differential, and the rear diff in those equipped with lockers.
Nonetheless, I have to remind myself to exhale during those slippery off-camber turns, trying not to look at the treetops far below.
Lesley
Day 9 - 5:00 PM
A storm in the forecast
Signs of civilization are appearing. We see traffic and service stations, the occasional lonely house, then several houses and finally - streetlights.
Finally, we reach Fairbanks, where we're lodging in an actual hotel with a lobby, queen-size beds... and our very own private bathrooms. Luxury!
At the hotel, we're told that severe storm warnings have been issued on the route to Anchorage. We debate whether to book an extra night, arrange to fly out, or given what we've managed to drive through already, just push on.
Finally, we decide to see what the morning brings.
Lesley