Radiators and Radiance

Still in Whitehorse

That was an ill-attempt at estimating how many more days we had because the stars will not magically align and we are here another day.
                   

                           I'm a little upset at radiators at the moment. But not too much because it gives me more time to prep and get my stuff all in order. We'll shoot for the summit tomorrow. 

So let's focus on the good because there's nothing I can do for the radiator.

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to traverse to Canyon City by Miles Canyon accompanied by Mr. Greg Hare and the instructor, Victoria, and her students from Anth 144. The canyon is the stereotypical picture of Canada to me: hills loitered in trees, a jutting rock face or two, and a glacier-fed body of water in an impossibly beautiful shade of blue.

Too bad I couldn't possibly get my camera to replicate the radiance. 

On the plus side, I did manage to protect my translucent skin from burning in the sun that finally decided to shine with all its force. 

                So there's that.

Canyon City is a historical archaeological site along the river that sprung up during the time of the gold rush. The remnants of the tramway path, buildings, and various midden piles (in other words, old junk piles) make up the site. This means a lot of information to glean--for example, tin cans can provide clues to the type of food consumed, time frame, and perhaps even an explanation for the fate of the Franklin Expedition. 

The next post will be from Beaver Creek so stay tuned for that and in the mean time, remember, putting any photo in sepia can add an artistic flair to an otherwise mundane blog post. 

Missing Teeth

Missing Teeth

I am missing three teeth. No they are not from my mouth, they are from my comb. Apparently “controlled falling” (as I cannot jump) down a cliff into the sand below will result in enough dirt in your hair to result in such a travesty.

Mastodons eat more spruce than mammoths, which have a diet of mainly grass. So while this gives mastodons shearing scissor teeth and mammoths a grinding platform, in the end they both have honking big teeth.

These honking big teeth can be seen amongst other megafauna bones at the Yukon Heritage Branch, where Greg Hare works. This is because he works with a palaeontologist, a collaboration that commonly occurs in the Yukon due to an importance of Beringia. I suppose this means I should not be so disheartened by people thinking I am in palaeontology. It’s just that Ross was the absolute worst character in Friends. And we all know it too.

Other treasures we got to see today: 780 +/- year old moccasins, a carved caribou scapula, and the scariest bone point you ever did see. Amongst many, many other things.

Treasures found today: fossilized limestone.

And we haven’t even left Whitehorse yet. But I know we’re all just waiting. To get out there. To the ever (or at least for now) illustrious field. 

Bacon Rations.

We are planning our meals for out in the field. Apparently our reserves of bacon may become depleted quite quickly.

Take me home. Now.

But in all seriousness, I'm concerned about this whole cooking thing. I have no skills. Poor field school kids who have to deal with my occasional turn at the grill. That's how I get voted off the island.

Things learned thus far: quit while you're ahead. At the Beringia Museum, we had the chance to throw atlatls. For non-archaeologist types, this is the technology between thrusting spears and bow and arrow (which apparently weren't adopted here--in the Yukon, in case you forgot where I am--until 1000 years ago, much later than most elsewhere).

My first throw went surprisingly well, I hit the sabre toothed tiger wood cut out. Peaked early in my atlatl career and managed to get progressively worse. I believe in beginner's luck.

This throw hit a camel. Pretty impressive stuff. Please note this is not me. I have never once in my whole life looked this graceful.

 This is a giant sloth, to the right. Also giant beavers, the stuff of legends, were a thing.

The sleeping bag I brought up, with a measly 5 degrees celsius rating, somehow managed to pass gear inspection this morning. I talked it up, I can wear layers, Mr. Norm, I can wear a toque. Nah, he was chill about it but perhaps I will later regret that when I too am chill. Chilled and with my teeth chattering in my tent.

Today a local joined our group. She will be participating in the field school with us and was nice enough to serve as tour guide for the group. A steep set of stairs later will get you to the cliffs and a view like no other. This is Whitehorse.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Yukon.

I didn't really think of doing a blog while up here. Except then another girl in the field school, Sarah (Sara?--who knows with that) was talking about doing one. And then I met up with some relatives and one of them suggested it to me. And then my phone decided to glitch once more and decide to forget how to charge and so match made in heaven, this will keep you all up to date with my adventures and misadventures. Probably more of the latter than the former.

But at least there are no mowers to get stuck in bunkers. For those of you who haven't heard that story, long story short. I'm really bad at my job. Good thing I get to be here instead of there. Who's going to call long distance to fire me? Hope Mr. Boss man never finds this. Don't want to put ideas in his head. 

Back to the Yukon. The important happening right now stuff. 

The river is pretty. The house we're staying in is 100 years old and buildings are generally fun coloured. And you are able to see scary bald eagles live here . Those fellas are big. You probably all know how I feel about birds...

So yes, I will try to blog if given Internet access. However, this whole technology thing isn't going too well for me. But yes, blogging. Even though that makes me more hipster. 


But after all, I did bring my ukulele, Yuri, so I should just embrace the way I am.