#1: [16-Aug-03]

15-Jul-2016 -- This is the seventh out of 11 reports on confluence visits in Canada’s Yukon Territory and Alaska. The story starts from 61°N 137°W and continues from 64°N 149°W.

From Fairbanks, we decided to take the famous Dalton Highway further north. The highway has been constructed to support the Trans Alaska oil pipeline. The pipeline runs 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay at the 70^th latitude to Valdez at the 61^st latitude.

On confluence day, we set off at noon from Fairbanks. We had a couple stops along the road such that we reached the confluence area not before evening. At Mile 68 the minimal distance to the confluence is reached with 1.35 km. This is where Dalton Highway bends westwards. We however passed beyond the minimal distance until we found a convenient location for parking our car at 1.65 km.

The hike was hot and humid. Mosquitoes were successful sucking our blood when we had to slow down due to thickets. On our way we found lots of blueberries, but we only could pick a few on the run in order to avoid further bites.

We had only a quick stop at the confluence, which is located in a mixed forest of thin spruce and low deciduous trees.

After the confluence visit we continued further north beyond the Polar Circle up to Coldfoot. We thought about continuing to Prudhoe Bay and visit a confluence at the 70^th latitude, but we turned it down considering the long drive and need of returning the same route.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance to a road: 1350 m
• Distance to a track: 1350 m
• Distance of car parking: 1650 m
• Time to reach the confluence from car parking: 50 minutes
• Time at the confluence: 6:23 PM
• Measured height: 565 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
• Position accuracy: 3 m
• Topography: hilly
• Vegetation: bushes, shrubs, tiny spruce
• Weather: overcast, 28° C (felt temperature)
• Given Name: The Blueberries on the Run Confluence

The story continues at 65°N 148°W.