Skip to main content

2019 ADVENTURE TEAM

The CIM Adventure Team, founded in 2016, is a team of exceptional individuals from the Type 1 diabetes community who come together to redefine life with Type 1 diabetes, achieve personal goals, and raise money for CIM to help more people realize life without limits.

THE ROUTE

In August 2019, the CIM Adventure Team will set out to complete the Chilkoot Trail, crossing the international boundary between the United States and Canada.  Beginning in the tiny Dyea, Alaska, trekkers will travel 53 kilometers to Bennett Lake, British Columbia, summiting the famous Chilkoot Pass mid-way through.  The Chilkoot Trail was a popular trade route for prospectors during the Gold Rush into the Klondike.

 

Retracing the steps of prospectors of the past, we’ll be spending 6-days on trail, taking in the stunning landscape of deep valleys and towering landscapes.  Carrying everything we need – food, tents, sleeping gear, kitchen gear, diabetes supplies – for the entire 53km, 6-day hike will not be easy as we are challenged by loose rock, varying weather conditions, and an incredible 1200m single-day climb of the Chilkoot Pass.

 

Check out the route below and consider applying to the 2020 CIM Adventure Team!

MEETING OF FORCES - THE TEAM ARRIVES IN WHITEHORSE

The team will arrive, and meet for the first time in person, at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.  Adventure is close! We’ll spend our first night in Whitehorse getting acquainted with our gear, finalizing the packing of our food, and prepping our personal packs. No time to waste here!

SHUTTLE & TRAIN DAY

This morning will be spent doing all of our final food and gear prep, making sure backpacks are weighted properly, and solving any last minute problems. We’ll be hitting the road in the afternoon to make our way, via car shuttle to Caracross and board the train through the iconic White Pass. We’ll arrive in Skagway, Alaska, by dinner time and have the evening to explore.

PREP DAY - ARE WE READY?

Today, we’ll have a chance to practice setting up our tents, we’ll get to know our stoves and water pumps, and we’ll perfect our diabetes plans. We’ll spend this evening at the group campsite in Dyea, Alaska sleeping in our tents before packing them on our backs the following morning. This will let us iron out any kinks and get an early start the following day.

TREK DAY #1 - DYEA, ALASKA TO CANYON CITY CAMPSITE

DISTANCE: 12.5km
ELEVATION GAIN: 100M

Today’s trek will be an easy start – but remember, nothing is ‘easy’ with a 50lb pack on your back! This part of the trail is used for a popular (albeit, long!) day-trekking loop and will provide lots of opportunities for us to learn about the history of the trail and the region. We’ll be camping on the Taiya River in a somewhat large campground for a backcountry trail! We’ll have the chance to connect with other campers, and read up on what the next days have in store.

TREK DAY #2 - CANYON CITY TO SHEEP CAMP

DISTANCE: 8.5km
ELEVATION GAIN: 100M

We’ll start day 2 by heading up! From this point on, the number of hikers on the trail is limited. We’ll definitely start to feel more secluded and in the true backcountry of the Coastal Mountains. After stopping for lunch at Pleasant Camp (said to be named because of how pleasant it feels to not be hiking UP after a steep ascent from Canyon City Camp), we’ll push on to Sheep Camp, the last stop before completing the pass. Here, we’ll meet with the Park Ranger to prep us for the next day. Brushing up on our local history will be a must – In the late 1800s, Sheep Camp was a functioning little hamlet, complete with 2 Dance Halls, 2 laundromats and 3 saloons! From the ranger, we’ll get an update on the weather, trail conditions, wildlife in the area and solidify our plan for the next morning (ie. how early we’ll be hitting the trail) and head off for a great night’s sleep.

TREK DAY #3 - THE PASS TO HAPPY CAMP

DISTANCE: 12.9km
ELEVATION GAIN: 900M

Today is the day! We’ll head out very early from Sheep Camp – our last night on the US side of the border. It is said that you should budget 12 hours to complete the pass. By this point, our team will be efficient at breaking down camp, eating breakfast, and getting moving – always a good thing when we expect an early start. Lucky for us, the sun rises very early in the north! We’ll ascend the Golden Stairs (the steepest area of the trail, named for the of steps that were carved into the ice each winter by trekkers prospecting for gold) and reach the summit for some much needed rest (and lunch!) Next, the team will push on to Happy Camp. Aptly named.

TREK DAY #4 - HAPPY CAMP TO LINDEMAN CITY

DISTANCE: 8.8km
ELEVATION LOSS: 300M

Today, we’ll head on to Lindeman City, on Lake Lindeman. Here we’ll find a permanent ranger station, along with a museum-of-sorts – A tent set up with some artifacts collected from the gold rush days and on display. We’ll receive our trail completion certificates and enjoy our last night out in the backcountry.

TREK DAY #5 - LINDEMAN CITY TO BENNETT LAKE

DISTANCE: 7.0km
ELEVATION LOSS: 0M

REST, RECOUP, & RECOVER DAY

Wow, we can hardly believe it’s over.  A day to celebrate, rest weary bodies, eat fresh vegetables and maybe even head out without our backpacks!  We’ll be reflecting on the journey and thinking about everyone who’s donated, supported us, followed along and made every step on this adventure possible.  Everything we’ve achieved is going to go back into making wilderness adventures more accessible for others with T1D. Our efforts will live on in adventures to come!  Thank you so much!

BEHIND THE SCENES

The CIM Adventure Team is made possible by the generous sponsors that support our food, fees, and permits. Our Adventure Team sponsors not only help the team members achieve amazing heights, but your support is what allows 100% of the money raised through the team members’ fundraising to directly support the CIM community.