My dad recommended this channel to me. I’ve been waiting all day for the video to appear. A great way to finish a Tuesday. I’ll watch it again with my young son tomorrow evening. He loves watching them too.
Growing up in northern Manitoba where we had to drive 200 miles of gravel road in a subarctic terrain, I can appreciate the necessity for good tires. It's best to be prepared for just about anything, no matter what time of year; the north is a stunningly beautiful, but unforgiving mistress. I love how you see the wonder of nature even in the most barren of landscapes. There is something beautiful to behold in any landscape - we just need to open our eyes and look more closely. Thanks for sharing. On a final note Slim, I recommend getting a proper fitting spare tire - you would have been in a real pickle if that hole was in the sidewall. Take good care and happy travels.
I expect he will have if he keeps going. Slim's delivery and pacing is very charming and his videography often stunning, but folks only appreciate it after they have sampled the other van dwellers on YT. His viewers are very loyal once they have gone down this path, so just a matter of time I suppose.
Did the Dempster with a Tacoma and Aliner. Your advice is well founded. It’s a hard road but absolutely fascinating. Don’t forget the TransLabrador in the east. You need to do that one as well
I made it up the Dempster to Tuktoyaktuk twice. I have a class-B built on a Promaster. I wouldn’t take a class-A or Fifth Wheel because of the slick road. Also even in Inuvik and Tuk the camp sites are not designed for large spots. Also, the sides of the Dempster tend to be pretty soft, especially in NWT. Pulling off the road can cause you to flip over.
In days gone by you would have been a true mountain man. I could never go to the places you go. I guess thats why I like watching you and your adventures, be safe and thank you
Thank you Slim, I'm disabled and not able to go far from my home other than dr appointments, your a blessing to me for sharing your experience with the world. Thank you, JJ.
JJ, if I can give a little bit of joy to a few kind souls then I'm a happy. Seems I even put some people to sleep. I'm ok with that too. I'm a firm believer in balance. What is lost needs to be replaced by something found. I'm sure you understand. Thanks! SP
Do we see a truck camper in your future. My father made one in our basement in the sixties the parts were moved to our garage and assembled when it was finished all my friends came to push it out of the garage. We rolled it out on rebar and then jacked it up. That camper was nice looking cozy and we seen most of Canada and the western US from that little window laying on my tummy. (Legal back then) 🇨🇦
My dad built one too! Back in the sixties we camped all over New England. My sister and I rode laying in the cab over while my brothers were at the dining table. Great memories.
What a wonderful trip. I would love to make that trip some day. Steeling a line from ‘Open Range’ I have the heart but not the legs. I drove the Alaska Highway in 1974 when it looked like the Dempster. I was nineteen and ready for adventure. I took my wife to see the places of my youth in 2016. The scenery still looks the same but the highway sure had changed. Great video, thank you.
You ,my friend, are a very interesting man. I was wondering if you have ever thought about writing a book. Thanks for allowing us to be apart of your life.
You make some excellent points on the suitability of different vehicles. Back in 2012 I did a tour of the Dalton, Top of the World and Dempster highways on my BMW R1200GSA and it was a tough ride. When it rains (and it rains a lot), the road surface has the consistency of oatmeal. Even with the proper tires it was exhausting. I was 60 years old when I did it and have since switched to an expedition van, which for me is the best compromise between comfort, maneuverability and ability to get into remote areas.
Posted just early enough so I could watch before going to work, thanks Slim. Hopefully... I will actually get to work all day and not have to come home.....to evacuate my home...cuz of the wildfires here in Sonoma county California. Fires suck! Very soon and with good fortune I will retire.... travel, camp and do my best to live the Slim life.....
Has usual excellent 👌 work Slim ...I love the way you word and show you adventures ! You deserve your own show on TV ... Thank you for sharing your beautiful story with your own special touch of class!
You have such a way with words! So descriptive, and again, I live vicariously through your braveness to venture as far as you did! I’m glad you had such a wonderful experience. Stay safe, and I look forward to your next adventures!
Once again, phenomenal video! I love your sense of humor. 😁You have incredible talent for making the BEST videos! Every time a SP video notification pops up, I know it will be outstanding! You never disappoint! Thank you for all of your hard work at bringing us these videos. They make my day. Safe travels SP! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😁
POTATOHEAD, I read a book by a guy who has driven the Alaskan Hwy every year for over 20 years. He has driven the road in every kind of vehicle imaginable. His rec was a 4X4 diesel pickup with a truck camper workx the best. You could also tow a Jeep Wrangler behind such a rig. !
Wow, we had stayed at the same secret spot along the Blackstone tributary as you did, but in early August this year. Not far from Two Moose Lake, and then did the hike from the microwave tower. Really interesting to see it in the fall colours. Our experience with hiking the tundra was the same = spongy and wet with the possibility of twisting an ankle. But the mosquitos in August were brutal. Really love these vids. Thanks for putting in the time and effort!
What a great way to start the day by watching Slim’s new video! I really enjoyed your trip to the Northern Territories of Canada. It’s too bad you could not go all the way up to the Arctic Ocean but I’m sure you will go there some day when things are back to normal. Anyways, the Northern Territories kind of reminded me of Scotland. The vast openness in between mountains. This was definitely one of my favorite videos!
Thanks for yet another great video. We just got back from Florida and driving in a tropical downpour in all 3 States don’t seem as bad after your journey. Take care and we always look forward to seeing your videos
Honestly, I have tears in my eyes. Thank you for sharing this. It takes me back to a couple of weeks I spent in Alaska, many years ago. Do you think a Ford Transit Connect...the smallest one...could make it up this road? Or would it be too low to the ground? Thanks again and blessings! 🎆
Yes it can. I have seen all manner of vehicles on the Dempster. I believe if an 80's Volvo station wagon can do it...so can a small transit. Just have good tires as Slim commented.
These Arctic Circle trilogy videos of your trip were fascinating! I had no idea about the landscape there. Your videos of your trip were awe-inspiring, I was glued to each of them. Amazing survival skills you have also. Thanks for sharing your journey there with all of us, and allowing us to enjoy it along the way. Fascinating.
Another great slim vid. We survived the Dempster to the Arctic Circle and back in June 2019 in our Sprinter based Class C. I agree the best rig for the Dempster is a Truck Camper. In fact I would say that is true for the whole trip to Alaska and back. But alas we live fulltime in our Motorhome. It is interesting to compare and contrast our trips. We went early in the season and the mosquitoes were voracious. So we didn’t spend much outside time. We experienced the Midnight Sun. You the Northern Lights. The only significant wildlife we saw was a fox at the Arctic Circle - an Arctic fox? We didn’t linger because we were anxious to get to Alaska and had already taken a month through Canada. You by the end of the season. As for time of the year we drove from Fairbanks partly down the Al-Can and then the Cassiar Hwys. It was my favorite time of our trip with Golden Boreal forests by day and a week of emerald auroras by night. It made it tough to find time to sleep. I look forward to your next leg!
Slim, thanks for your adventurous videos. I love them. My wife and I started camping only 2 years ago. We just got home from a 2-week journey that took us from Western Kentucky to the Badlands, Devils Tower, Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain National Parks. An epic trip. May get to Alaska some day but have to get my wife more comfortable with such challenging destinations! Keep up the good work
Slim, I've been watching you for a couple of years now, you do not fail to deliver! You, Sir, live a blessed life, and you're quick to share it! Thank you. By the way, I purchased the Alpicool yesterday after watching your video on it. Hope to see you out there someday.
A great up close and personal log of this amazing place on our planet. Your honest and realistic advice for other travelers to this area is appreciated. Happy Trails.
Thank you. I really did enjoy your video. Thank you for sharing something although I would love to do, will probably never do. A little too far off grid for me. Happy trails!
We visited Tombstone as part of a two week Alaska/Yukon tour in 2005. As you were showing yourself surrounded by the vast wilderness, I kept waiting for a big tour bus to pull up and have a bunch of tourists traipse through the background 😂 We’ve enjoyed revisiting some of those spots through your EXCELLENT travel videos 😃👍
Hi Slim. Great video production. I really enjoy your narration of the scenic parts of your videos. I was admiring your T-shirt before you mentioned it. Where did you get it?
We fixed a flat on the Top of the World on the way back to Dawson City Yukon, with a plastic shopping bag jammed in the hole and a splash of over proof rum then lit it on fire. PS I have fished that spot on the Blackstone many many times.
Did you figure out your spare? Looks like it may be a bit taller? Hard to tell on the video but maybe check the size on it. Always enjoy the videos Slim!
I have read multiple spares is a good thing. Probably not needed, but flying in a second new wheel and tire can take weeks and/or a truck load of money.
I enjoyed the video immensely I was a little concerned about those bears, but I guess they kept their nose out of your business magnificent video to be there and see wildlife in the wilderness. Thanks for the great video I can tell you I watch those videos you make over and over, another great job we wish you well
Dear Dear Slim... my gratitude abounds... you continue to outdo yourself. Thank you over and over again for sharing natures wonders with us... through your talented eyes. 🍁🦆🦆🦆🌊
Campers and motorhomes have been abandoned, because it is cheaper than getting remote help to fix or tow-truck retrieve. It would be interesting to know if insurance would choose if it is more cost effective to abandon, or if it is even covered.
I'm so glad you bought a fiberglass trailer I was one of the guys in the comments if you look back that suggested it and I didn't even realize you were going to be going to the far Northwest there's no way one of those wooden frame trailers would have held up near as well, really enjoy your videos keep them coming
Eating healthy foods is good but not all the time if your body is craving junk food by all means help yourself that's what I do (you have to live happy: )
VoluntaryismIsTheAnswer yea that’s the info I received from another utuber and I live east of Natchez Ms too ... not know this but was planning a trip up it as we have many times soon ... I love that trip this time of the year
Another fine video. Really enjoyed this trip. Followed your advice and got one of those sleeping bags except mine is the red and black plaid. I'll be on the road in less than three weeks. Thanks again. Rick
Great adventurous trip! I would love to hear you talk about if the equipment you had for it held up, and changes you would make based on them in your future trip to touch the Artic?
Slim, your visuals are always breathtakingly stunning, but your descriptions are truly vivid as well, and I'm a copy-writer by trade, so I know from where I speak. "The rusted remains looked like dinosaur bones; the curved spines of a long-lost monster that laid down and died in the mossy bog, forgotten and alone." Makes me wonder if you're an avid reader or writer also. Thanks again for producing the refreshing and welcome type of content that you do. You are probably more appreciated than you will ever know.
Boy that's tough luck. Plugging a tire can be a pain, even when you are well equipped. And you can never really know what kind of shape your spare is in until a situation is bad enough for you to try and use it.
there is not one video that i have not enjoyed....the scenery, your commentary is unique. don't stop it is just a pleasure to watch and learn. thank you and be safe....
Thank you for the thoughts about camper choices traveling the Dempster. The choice are exactly my current dilemma. Tow behinds have much better payload, gas mileage, and comfort for an initial cost. Truck camper have vehicle-strength, versatility, and of course the big one - much better maneuverability. I still can’t choose.
I met a lady in her eighties traveling with her little dog in a class b but with a trailer in my fifties I need my son to help, if that makes a difference to anyone.
VoluntaryismIsTheAnswer, Yes. As I get older, the idea of having everything in one vehicle (eg van, truck-camper, motorhome) for its simplicity is very appealing.
Hip Slim I'm really enjoying your great adventures. Do you eat omelettes as any fresh vegetables can be chopped up and spices can be added. Also quinoa geraldine england
Your series of videos on the Yukon have been absolutely stunning! I never expected there would be so much beauty there! I really expected nothing but barrenness. Your work on this story has been exceptional! And your advice to those planning to try the Dempster Highway I’m sure will save many a whole lot of headaches (or worse)!
I should clarify. All tires are labelled 14", however the spare is about 1" larger. I will be talking to the RV manufacturer who sold me all 3 tires! SP
I have put a 10'6" camper on the back of my F-350 Diesel Dually specifically for doing this trip and going across to AK. I just didn't want to be pulling a trailer across those roads. Luv my camper. Didn't get to the Yukon this year because of the thing that shall not be named. It will be there for me next year. June 21st,2021 on top of the dome at Dawson City to watch the sun not go down! Smiles
Dont have experience with the Dempster, but have my share of experience with dumpsters. Thank you for this trilogy. Great. Simply terrific. Have fun, stay safe and stay healthy.
It's been years since we did the Dempster. Beautiful. We are just downing our morning coffees before we begin our journey to our northern home. Maybe we'll pass you on the road. We'll be driving from south central BC to the Yukon in the next 3 days. We'll be taking the Cassiar Highway up through Dease Lake and beyond. Thankfully, it's all paved now, which is a treat! We'll be the car and truck convoy loaded to the gills with supplies and equipment! I feel very blessed to be able to spend time in the north country. So few people get to experience it. Your videos have opened the door to those who won't ever be able to make the journey themselves. Stay safe, SP!-Sue
You'll love the Cassiar! We've done it 4 times - the last time just mid August this year This year, gas is only available at Kitwanga, Meziadin, Bell2 and Dease Lake.
I camped at Waters Edge R V on Dease Lake. The lake was so calm it was like glass. Half an hour later the wind came up and ruined the reflections of the mountains across the lake.
Bryan Clark Sounds like Dease Lake! My husband was posted there for 2 years when our kids were all still at home, and my in-laws used to manage the Northway Motor Inn there. It was an interesting place to live. Did you get out to Telegraph Creek?
Foresty Forest went to Tuktoyuktuk in his soccer mom minivan. It was early spring though, so everything was still frozen. He said the packed snow was pretty smooth
