Truth or fiction?

A test for the Skagway tourist

As a tourist, you’re pretty much at the mercy of locals for information. When you come to Skagway, you’re going to have questions. You will likely trust the information you’re given by friendly locals, tour guides, and workers in various businesses. But what if the person you’re talking to is just making stuff up or entirely wrong? This blog will prepare you to discern truth from fiction during your visit. As a Skagway tourist, there is nothing more important than that!

Old time Skagway tourists take the first ever selfie.

“Sometimes a lie is the truth” – James Madison

The above quote is fitting for this blog, and it’s also total malarkey. James Madison never said that. I just made it up. This fake quote also makes no sense when you think about, but it does show that it’s sometimes hard to tell if something is truth or fiction. I suppose in that way, the fake quote is kind of true. Like Anna Anderson, I’m quite the philosopher.

How this is going to work

You are going to read about three different things unique to Skagway. Each will have two versions. One is true and the other is fiction. When you’re done with this exercise you’ll be the sharpest Skagway tourist on the block. Let’s rock! (Answers will appear at the bottom of the page so you can’t cheat! And no Google!!!!)

A lovely day on the White Pass Summit. Always drive as fast as you can to get through the fog quickly.

Fact or fiction? – The White Pass Summit

• A) The White Pass Summit earned its name because the region is covered with snow throughout the year. Foggy, overcast conditions are frequent and often cause “whiteouts.” When William Moore, Skagway’s first settler, came to town in 1887, he named the summit “White Pass,” perfectly describing the conditions travelers were most likely to encounter.
• B) The White Pass Summit was named after the Canadian Minister of the Interior, Thomas White. Even though White never traveled to Skagway, the pass was named by William Ogilvie, a land surveyor who surveyed the Dawson City townsite. Why did Ogilvie name it? Because he was a bleeding-heart poutine-loving Canadian.

Okay! Write down your answer on a piece of paper and let’s keep rolling. You are going to be one bright Skagway tourist… Brighter than all the gold ever found in the Skagway River!

Fact or fiction? – Winter snowfall in Skagway

• A) Skagway gets a lot of snow, especially after the month of November when the temperature consistently drops below freezing. This is expected in Southeast Alaska because it’s a temperate rain forest with large amounts of annual precipitation. However, Skagway is the northernmost Southeast Alaska city, which means the snow continues to accumulate until spring thaw. Some winters the snow is so deep, a complex network of tunnels is required for kids to get to school and parents to get to the liquor store.
• B) Skagway doesn’t get a lot of snow, and during most years there is very little accumulation. However, small amounts of snow will melt and then re-freeze as temperatures fluctuate. Icy conditions cause numerous injuries every year because people slip on the ice. Many locals wear special shoes or strap-on devices that grip the ice to prevent serious injury. So little snow accumulates in Skagway, it’s rare to even see a snowman.

Oh man, this is getting good. But don’t slow down like the Skagway moose that hibernate by the rec center during the winter months. Let’s keep it going…

Fact or fiction? – The bear scenario

• A) You are hiking on a local trail, armed during hunting season with a quality rifle and hunting permit you purchased at the local hardware store. On the north end of the Lower Dewey Lake trail, you suddenly see a bear sleeping right in the middle of the path about 100 feet away. You pull out your rifle and shoot the sleeping bear right in between the eyes. Good work, buddy. You just broke the law.
• B) You are hiking on the Lower Dewey Lake local trail armed with the same rifle and hunting permit you purchased at the local hardware store. On the north end of the trail about 100 feet away, you see a sleeping bear in the middle of the pathway. You yell at the bear to wake it up. When it stands up, you snap a few pictures and then head back to town. Good work, buddy. You broke the law.

Just like the wintertime glacier fires that create the northern lights, the truth is often stranger than fiction. Let’s review your answers so you can be the smartest Skagway tourist on the block.

Answer key – what we learned

The White Pass Summit – B is a fact, A is fiction – It was named after that crazy Canadian! That just doesn’t seem right.

Skagway winter snowfall – B is a fact, A is fiction – It doesn’t snow much, but it sure gets icy! Wear those ice cleats!

The bear scenario – B is a fact, A is fiction – In Alaska, it is illegal to wake a bear for the purpose of taking a photo, so be sure to kill it first.

That’s it! You are now the smartest Skagway tourist north of the 65^th parallel. Congratulations and check back for another edition of Fact or Fiction!