ICE2015 Site Checkout Complete!

The site checkout for the Interoperable Communications for Emergencies 2015 (ICE2015) field test to the Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, region is complete! We visited main locations in this area with active permafrost, low trees, rivers and lakes, and many deep valleys and high mountains. A remarkable range of terrain can be accessed within two hours’ drive from the City of Whitehorse, but with many significant communication problems.

On the first day, we visited both Kusawa Territorial Park, with the long, thin S-shaped Kusawa Lake, surrounded by mountains that grow higher and higher as you travel tens of kilometres south. When we arrived, it was initially clear and then fog came in quickly! We waited, and the fog cleared, and allowed us to get pictures of some of the incredible topography in the area, and of the frozen lake itself. With a good view of Jo Jo Peak above us, looking like Mount Sharp on Mars. We then followed up by a visit to Haines Junction, gateway to the famous and stunning Kluane region, where you can find Canada’s highest mountain, Logan (5,959 m)! Next day, we checked out Whitehorse, including Grey Mountain, and also visited Lake Laberge (“Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge. I cremated Sam McGee.” as Robert Service said). This allowed us to see local comms infrastructure and potential comms locations.