Willis Expedition Adventures

Willis Expedition Adventures WILLIS is an Arctic expedition built around preparation, durability, and accountability. No flash. No shortcuts.

Just careful planning, reliable equipment, and steady miles in demanding terrain.

Day 32 Field NotesTuk-Dawson CityBest thing: After being denied on the last trip here, I finally made it to Tuk. I wish ...
06/05/2026

Day 32 Field Notes

Tuk-Dawson City

Best thing: After being denied on the last trip here, I finally made it to Tuk. I wish Todd Morley could have been with me today.

Worst thing: No polar bear sighting, and the ice has not broken up in the harbor, so the pictures of the harbor are difficult to see.

Most surprising thing: The downhill general direction was beneficial for Willis. We averaged 14.4 mpg for the day. I budget 13 mpg for my fuel plans. A second surprise was I was treated to free coffee three times today, including once from one of the ferry workers.

The trip to Tuk was worth every mile and the 15 hours of driving today. It normally does not take that long, but it snowed almost third of the way down.

Thirteen hours on the road today. The Dempster is difficult to describe: There were stretches where I drove more than 10...
06/04/2026

Thirteen hours on the road today. The Dempster is difficult to describe: There were stretches where I drove more than 100 miles without seeing another vehicle. Not a town. Not a gas station. Not much of anything.

What there was, however, was scenery on a scale that is difficult to describe. Massive mountain ranges, broad valleys, rivers that seem to go on forever, and mile after mile of country that photos struggle to capture. I’ve traveled on six continents and through more than 100 countries. Truly new country is becoming harder for me to find. I am glad I found this today.

The practical side of the North is just as interesting. Diesel reached $10.34 per gallon today. The cardlock fuel stations continue to be an adventure, and fight me at every turn. At one ferry crossing, crews were building the ferry dock while vehicles were driving on and off the ferry. Nobody seemed to think there was anything unusual about it.

That may be my biggest takeaway from the day. Things are simply different up here.

Tonight I am in Inuvik. Tomorrow I make the run to Tuktoyaktuk and finally put a tire on the shore of the Arctic Ocean.

The ferries are both open! Willis and I are heading North tomorrow!!
06/02/2026

The ferries are both open! Willis and I are heading North tomorrow!!

Well today’s ferry status is unchanged as of now. So I decided to get a hot breakfast. Jack and Thurber stopped by to he...
06/02/2026

Well today’s ferry status is unchanged as of now. So I decided to get a hot breakfast. Jack and Thurber stopped by to help cheer me up.

Day 29 Field NotesBest thing: The omelet I had for breakfast at the Eldorado Hotel. Sometimes the simple things are best...
06/01/2026

Day 29 Field Notes

Best thing: The omelet I had for breakfast at the Eldorado Hotel. Sometimes the simple things are best.

Worst thing: One ferry open. One more to go before WILLIS and I can head north. Anyone who knows me knows patience is not one of my stronger qualities.

Surprising thing: The Dawson City RV Park & Campground is giving me a nightly rate break while I’m on the Dempster. Just like the Dalton, the Hi-Lo will stay behind while WILLIS heads north. The best part? I don’t even have to move the camper.

Today wasn’t much to look at from the outside. No miles. No adventure. No real movement other than visiting the visitor center.

Just gathering information, watching conditions, and waiting for the last piece of the puzzle to fall into place.

North is still the plan. Hopefully tomorrow!







Day 28 Field NotesBest thing: The Top of the World Highway was magnificent. This is the second time I’ve driven it, but ...
05/31/2026

Day 28 Field Notes

Best thing: The Top of the World Highway was magnificent. This is the second time I’ve driven it, but the first time I’ve seen it without six-foot snow walls left by the plows. The scenery is unbelievable. Mile after mile of ridges, valleys, and sky. Pictures don’t do it justice.

Worst thing: The cost of everything in Dawson is nosebleed expensive. Fuel, food, camping. It sure adds up fast. I honestly don’t know how the average Canadian can afford to live here.

Surprising thing: The highway literally ends at a river and rolls onto a free ferry. No ticket booth. No reservation. You just drive down the bank, wait your turn, and float across the Yukon River into Dawson City. It feels completely normal after about five minutes, but the first time you see it, it’s pretty hard to believe that’s part of a major highway.

A lot of people have asked why I switched tire brands before leaving for the Arctic.Truth is, I didn’t switch brands. I ...
05/31/2026

A lot of people have asked why I switched tire brands before leaving for the Arctic.

Truth is, I didn’t switch brands. I switched missions.

I’ve been a Falken Wildpeak guy for years and still am.

My 4Runner runs Wildpeaks. The Hi-Lo is running Wildpeaks. They’ve been great tires.

But when I started planning for the Dalton, the Dempster, and whatever side roads caught my attention along the way, I decided to put KO3s on WILLIS. Why?

Because sharp shale doesn’t care about brand loyalty.

When you’re hundreds of miles from the nearest tire shop, sidewall strength starts moving higher on the priority list.

That doesn’t make the KO3 a better tire. It made it the tire I felt best about for this trip.

So far they’ve crossed the Lower 48, British Columbia, Yukon, Alaska, and the Dalton without a single issue.

The Dempster is next.

We’ll see if my decision was the right one.








Day 27 Field NotesThe best thing: a hot shower and clean clothes.The worst thing: backtracking. To get lined up for Daws...
05/31/2026

Day 27 Field Notes

The best thing: a hot shower and clean clothes.

The worst thing: backtracking. To get lined up for Dawson, Top of the World, Chicken, Little Gold, and the Dempster, I had to retrace some ground today. Necessary, but not my favorite.

The surprising thing: how much of an expedition revolves around fuel. Laundry. Showers. Groceries. Finding a place to park for the night.

You won’t see the glamour overland crowd talking about how many #+% #! quarters a load of laundry and a shower takes, but that’s part of the deal too.

Willis is ready. Tomorrow we head for Dawson.











Day 26 Field NotesBest thing: Willis took one look at blowing snow, 19-degree temperatures, heavy winds, $9.48/gallon di...
05/30/2026

Day 26 Field Notes

Best thing: Willis took one look at blowing snow, 19-degree temperatures, heavy winds, $9.48/gallon diesel, and a slick, snotty Atigun Pass—and shrugged.

Worst thing: Somewhere south of Atigun, it hit me that this may very well be my last trip into the North Arctic. Not a pleasant thought.

Most surprising thing: The push to get the Haul Road ready for summer truck traffic is fully underway. In the 24 hours I was in Deadhorse, the amount of Type O that was spread, compacted, and worked into the road was flat-out amazing.

These guys are NOT messing about.















Day 25 Field NotesBest thing: Willis went up the Dalton without a single issue. No breakdowns. No drama. Just a few fres...
05/29/2026

Day 25 Field Notes

Best thing: Willis went up the Dalton without a single issue. No breakdowns. No drama. Just a few fresh rock chips in the windshield from a semi that had to be running at least 70 mph. Considering where I am, that’s a pretty good day.

Worst thing: Picked up a hitchhiker about 50 miles into the haul road. He rode all the way to Deadhorse with me.

He talked the entire time.

Most surprising: Fuel in Coldfoot wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected, especially after what I’ve been paying in Canada. We’ll find out tomorrow morning what Deadhorse thinks diesel should cost.

Heading south tomorrow toward Fairbanks. Saturday starts the run toward the Dempster after Willis gets fresh oil.

Two of the toughest roads in North America.

One down. One to go.


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