In my mind Alaska is a long way from everywhere. It seemed slightly unbelievable yesterday to be on a road that went to Alaska, but there it was on the signs: apparently I was headed for Fairbanks. In fact I did't want to go quite that far, my destination was Haines Junction some 2 hours west of Whitehorse and firmly in the Yukon still, but wot larks to be driving the Alaska Highway!

The name seems full of adventure, something about it seems to evoke the frontier spirit. In reality the driving is a long way from adventure. It's a well paved round in good condition and what other traffic I did see tended to be of the giant winnebago variety towing an SUV with a canoe on the top! But good roads only added to the pleasure of the trip as it made it easier to enjoy the wonderful countryside.

The landscape around Whitehorse really reminded me of Scotland or the Lake District, and I can offer no greater praise. The hills are more rounded, grassy and craggy than in the Rockies and if everything is on a bigger scale than at home it still seemed familar. A slice of Skye; a touch of Torridon; I'm sure I even saw Blencathra's big brother.

The nostalgic reverie comes to a dramatic end as you approach Haines Junction. Before you a new upstart range appears, towering over the familiar shaped hills. This is the St Elias Range, the eastern boundary of one Canada's wildest regions, the Kluane National Park. Kluane is home to not only Canada's highest mountain (Mt Logan for you trivia buffs) but apparently also the largest non-polar glaciers in the world. Alas all of this is hidden behind the massive pallisade infront of you but that sight is spectacular in its on right.

I couldn't help thinking how much younger the mountains in front looked, born of an entirely different orogenic event I'm sure. They seemed like teenagers: all spiky tops and altitude, looking down on the old timers across the valley. The hills on the other side were litterally worn down with the passage of time but I'm sure they thought to themselves "Aye son - you'll get yours in the end" (anthropomorphic mountains are all Scottish of course).

My poor camera struggled to cope with the huge scale of the scenery all around. I'll post some pictures when I'm back in Calgary but they really don't do things justice. I recomend you all come and look for yourself.