Trouble with Wildlife, Canol Road, Top of the World Highway & Crossing into Alaska! | Go North Ep 9

[@MortonsontheMove]

Thanks for joining us on this journey! This was shot during the last week of may 2019.

[@christinepastrama1275]

I could tell by your clothes. We’ve been there is May . It was chilly and wet here in MT as well. Watched a small heard of mule deer at sunrise this morning cross our property.

[@TheUnsureFox]

@@christinepastrama1275 We are hoping to RV to Montana permanently in a couple of years. Our hearts are there already. We want to move somewhere around the Flathead area, perhaps north of there, around Colombia Falls, or the likes of it.

[@christinepastrama1275]

Sir Timothy's Piano Time ... the Flathead is beautiful . So is the Bitterroot . All our family lives in West Coast. RVing is our only avenue to spend time with them. We could never live there . Be prepared for long winters . Weather can be harsh at times and growing season short. But we love the season changes.

[@bryanknight4512]

Now that you're here (we live in AK), we would love to meet you!! We live in Palmer, where the State Fair is and goes from 22 Aug - 2 Sept. Let us know when you're "in the neighborhood (or coming to the fair)" so we can get together. Safe travels!!

[@bobshaw4063]

Tom I'm so glad you were able to repair the wires that were chewed on by the Porcupines & I'm glad they didn't shoot their quills at you when you were chasing them .

[@mariannepreston9903]

I recommend that you buy a roll of chicken wire to completely encircle your camper when you're camped in a remote area where porcupines may be an issue. I learned about that trick from some experienced hikers/campers who would often leave their vehicles unattended for a few days while on their backcountry adventure. No one wants to find out the hard way that their brake and electrical lines have been chewed by the prickly varmints.

[@travelingman21000]

That a good idea about the chicken wire, it could have kept a pack rat out of my camper, it was hell to get rid if it!

[@PaulaTheCanadianExplorer]

I always carry a roll in my truck when I’m out and about hiking in our Canadian wilderness. I set it up as soon as I get to the hiking trail/camp known to have porcupine roaming the area.

[@Rice0325]

Yeah because that is feasible....

[@andrewevanoff1192]

I wonder how high was the chicken wire fence? It should probably be at least 4 ft. high to keep the critters from crawling over and into the wheel wells. BTW, mice can be an issue too if a vehicle sits at one spot for a while. Honda had issued a TSB for mice chewing wiring in the engine bays. They even sell a special, mice proof electrical tape with hot pepper extract added to it. Maybe some bear spray can be used to spray under a vehicle to keep the critters away? Bear spray contains hot pepper extract as the main ingredient.

[@lioninthesun]

Or pieces of plywood at the bottom of the RV would work

[@RVgeeks]

OMG! After all of the things you think about to be prepared for on an Alaska Highway journey (rough roads, remote locations without services, lack of cell coverage, etc)... it turns out PORCUPINES are the biggest trouble?!?! WOW! Never would have guessed! Good thing your "few tools" included a soldering iron, solder, electrical tape, etc. Way to go, Tom! (oh, and of course, beautiful video!!)

[@MortonsontheMove]

Ha, thanks guys! Gotta have tools!

[@jameshodgins1937]

Oh my, the porcupines were hysterical. I am sure it wasn't at the time. That is something that you will never forget. Love your ability to diagnose problems and fix them on the run. That is an excellent skill to have. And, I bet you thought all you had to worry about bear and moose! Very nice!!!!

[@n1spirit]

I haven't completed watching this video yet (binge watching via the playlist) but I just had to stop the video for a moment to make an observation. I don't know what y'all's background is (need to watch those videos yet) but your videos are FREAKING FLAWLESS. I'm super impressed by the videography, the footage AND the composition, your scripting with the explanations of where you are and the history, the technical aspects (editing and again, the composition). I'm sure it has improved over the years and perhaps when I go back and view some of the earlier videos I'll see less finished work but then again, it may be every bit as good. Just wanted the two of you to know that you're doing a great job with your vlogging channel here on KZbin. Yeah, we all get a little aggravated with the commercials - but I understand that's part of how you pay for your journey and am thankful that vloggers such as the two of you have that avenue of revenue that you can benefit from. (Besides, I just get up off my butt and select the "Skip Ads" button when I can. LOL. You still get paid and I don't have to sit through the whole entire ad. hahah) As you've no doubt figured out I'm a new subscriber. Just landed on your channel this evening and after watching the first video, hit the Subscribe button. Keep up the great work and thanks for taking us on your journey. My cousin, her husband and the three youngest of their five children will be hitting the road in a little more than a month (I think) for what is tentatively scheduled as a 2-year trip on the road. I suspect it will become a much longer journey once they get out there. Anyway, again, thanks for taking us along. Safe travels, y'all!

[@miztx2syuiip590]

geez so much information

[@larryvincent1083]

My new favorite KZbin RV channel. Thank you for your work, especially including the hard parts!

[@chad92078]

Others have said it but you guys rock! Diagnose the issue, you have the tools and supplies to fix the problems, laying on your back, under the truck, soldering wires back together, awesome. Beside my soldering iron, I now have a purning saw on packing list for the RV. Wonderful video, we love the beautiful drone shots above the trees with the rivers and mountains. Oh yeah, I need a done now too! Excellent series for traveling to Alaska. Keep up the great work, and thank you for all your efforts.

[@steveisaacson7627]

Morton's on the Move bring professional cinematography and storyline to KZbin like no other channel we know. Thank you for your commitment to excellence and positivity. We look forward to each new episode! How about the MM Movie! Be safe and enjoy each day!

[@Falcon-ug5sk]

Steve Isaacson couldn’t have said it better! Amazing videos 👏👍😎

[@MortonsontheMove]

Thanks Guys! :)

[@n1spirit]

I COMPLETELY agree with you. I just made a similarly, albeit long-winded, comment to that effect above. I'm thoroughly impressed with their video compositions. Professional quality.

[@happycamperinc.]

I am watching discovery channel. Great editing

[@ML-lg4ky]

Got it. Critter fence perimeter is a must when I head up north!

[@Racnmasn]

Scan tool, history of the problems of the truck, especially if porcupines climb up under your truck, man I thought you guys were stuck and going to have to call for help! Amazing you are able to fix that 🙌! I am impressed 😁

[@ellieraymn]

Thanks so much for the info and entertainment! The night of the porcupines we were thinking that one shot of bear spray would have possibly eliminated the critter/s and prevented damage. Thanks for helping us problem solve these issues before we encounter them! Planning a trip upcoming 2022.

[@MrAlbarry51]

Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful travels with us.

[@mjo8856]

This made me cry. I so wish I would have done something like this when I was younger. Such beautiful country. Good for you guys in doing this! And... thanks for sharing your journey. Can't wait for the next episode!

[@TheUnsureFox]

It about made me cry, too. Our heart (my wife and I) is in Montana. A far cry from where we are, down in Florida. We are hoping in the next few years to be able to RV over there and make a permanent stay. Time will tell.

[@tsav6952]

What an adventure! You have a nice rig, perfect for the two of you and your style of travel. Wonderful job narrating and photography.

[@kr639]

Bear Spray for the porcupine!

[@maryj.1261]

I would just like to say: Your channel is so refreshing. All the ebbeggars on KZbin make nomading seem cheap. But your Alaska adventure is absolutely amazing. You totally deserve a spot on The RVers TV show. Congratulations on an excellent job.

[@JJs-ClassC-Adventures]

Thanks for stating that the video occured during the last week of May. It is really helpful for a frame of reference.

[@issacwhaley5720]

Very nice job fixing the wiring problem

[@J.P.W.]

Thanks so much for sharing. I am thoroughly enjoying this series. Stay safe, have fun and keep the episodes coming!

[@cindyrose5414]

Absolutely awesome! 👍🏼 Thank you for taking us with you! GOD Bless You Both 🙏🙏

[@susanberdan1626]

I love how down to earth you guys are that's what i love along with great scenery and wild life snaps.

[@glennl2012]

Great Video. Brings back great memories. My Brother & I moterbiked the Canol road from Johnsons crossing to @ 200 km north of Ross River ( as far as our gas reserves, would let us). I rebuilt the triple clamp on my motercycles steering on that road.

[@MortonsontheMove]

Oh that must have been an adventure!!

[@utahredrock1]

Oh man! That is wild! Geez. I've had a number of porcupine encounters in Utah, though nothing like this. Amazing shot crossing that rickety, though pretty, bridge.

[@VentureWild]

That’s nuts!! We saw tons of porcupines while driving through the Yukon but never had this crazy of n encounter! Glad it all ended well!! We’ll keep an eye out for these guys on the way home!

[@scottmulrooney8483]

Great video, great quality of production also! I will be planning a new bucket list trip similar to this, without the porcupines though........

[@ManWander]

wow! this adventure just keeps getting better & better!

[@christinepastrama1275]

I live vicariously through these videos. I can’t wait to get notifications they’re ready to watch. We hope we can afford a small RV once my hubby retires but can’t afford the off the grid mods .... unless we sell everything. We live in the prairie in SW Montana so really have it made. It’d be nice to see the rest the country including our grandkids in west coast. Time WILL tell. I laugh at the porcupine incident because it happens all the time in our parts with rabbits , mice and all kinds old critters . luckily we have a big garage and shop to park our cars. Don’t take too big of risk as we want you to come back and be well! God’s speed.

[@ftkinsella]

I have been really enjoying the trip so far. You are giving us some amazing drone footage of a part of the country that not a ton of people get to see. You are quite the handy man too. Great work and a wonderful video. Cheers!!!

[@WedartStudio]

Nice journey, it was pleasure to be with you there and watch it through your camera eye😊🌐😊

[@julieh3327]

The scenery is just stunning! Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@t8erchip]

Marrmat will chew under your vehicle too. I've heard the chicken wire idea, but when we battled marrmats we used the tarp method. Get one of those huge multi ply tarp big enough to drive on to then pull all sides up, over the wheel wells and tail gate, in your case the stairs and secure it.

[@fredmcinnis7568]

Very well done. Although not nearly as adventurous, our trips covered some of the same routes. Photography, especially elevated sections remind us of the shear beauty of the north.

[@papajeff5486]

I have driven the ALCAN. My wife and I, with our Cavalier King Charles, drove from Killeen, Texas to Fairbanks. We did it in February, a bit different trip. It was nice to see you go through some familiar spots like the Toad road stop and the crazy road signs town. We had to dig through three feet of snow at the “Welcome To Alaska” sign, for a selfie. We enjoyed the wonderful people of Tok. We eventually made it to Faibanks, where I worked for a while. We used Fairbanks as a base from which we visited beautiful parts of Alaska, like Denali, Talkeektna and other places. It’s a bit bigger than where we came from... Texas. Heh, heh...

[@1tpmg]

Wow ! Great drone footage. Nice truck repair Mac Gyver.

[@shilohandme3697]

Wow! What a wonderful trip. Memories for a lifetime for sure. I adventured to Alaska in the early seventies with my brother when I was just a boy of nineteen. I RVed to Alaska in 2016 with my wife and had another wonderful time. What a difference forty four years makes. Thank you for rekindling those memories.

[@johnguertin3884]

great story ...good thing you were capable AND had the tools.... very enjoyable videos you put out...from one traveler to another..these are nice to watch and entertaining

[@MortonsontheMove]

Thank you! :)

[@Frontireadventures]

I absolutely loved this video. Three times i have rode my trusty Vstrom 1050 xt from Halifax Nova Scotia to the Arctic Circle, Dawson city, Valdez, and the top of the world is my favorite road. Truly love Alaska, too.

[@realthing66]

What a great video! The porcupines would have drove me crazy LOL. You two handled it very well.

[@Banjo-lm2wl]

Wow what a view, amazing ! Your narrative ability is lovely. Wlw lucky you got rid of the criters. I just found you guys on line i am now on the road with you in Australia. Thank you both for sharing. It is my dream tk one day visit Canada abd Alaska. ive been to Boston, Philidephia, Hawii. Besides Australia being one of the most beautiful country Ive ever visited in the world, i would have to say Canada ansd Alaska tops the list along with it. Safe journing my new friends may God keep you safe.

[@rickandal617]

Wow. Even with porcupine, what an adventure. Glad you made it safely. Great job on driving. Outstanding repair job. Thanks for sharing.

[@fishin11]

Been there done this. Wife and I were on this same route. LOVED IT. We continued up to Fairbanks then drove all the way to the Artic Ocean. We are from Michigan. Drove 10,600 miles total in 28 days. We are going to do it again when we retire but go for 2 months.

[@MortonsontheMove]

Wow that is quite the trip in a month! :)

[@dvferyance]

I can say this you guys sure had guts. I am sure it was scary when that check engine light came on being in the middle of nowhere.

[@Blues2cool]

I am beyond impressed not only with your story telling but the journey itself. I wish you both all the best and safe travels. Herron's on the fly

[@janicewood5561]

So....I’m thinking I should just follow you guys around....I mean you both have mad repair skillzzzz. You’re a walking encyclopedia of DIY....

[@roberteckard9771]

This is one the best videos on wildlife trips or just journeys on the out back travels I have seen. Great Job.

[@CCB249]

Note to self-if I get to take this journey make sure I bring along an Electrical Engineer. :-) They certainly come in handy.

[@Westcoastguy]

Yeah I probably would've been stranded out there.

[@golfnut2599]

we were just in the Yukon and Alaska in June and it's fun to see you in cities we were in, safe travels, we love your channel

[@kerryloper6142]

Just WOW!! Words can’t express the beauty you have seen and shared with us!! Thank you!! I personally can’t wait until the day I get to travel thru Canada to Alaska. My heart flutters just thinking about seeing it all in person. 😁 You two are very lucky Tom is an engineer. (I think that is what he does) Fixing the truck after the porcupines couldn’t have been done by most people. Can’t wait until the next video!! Safe travels

[@mikebast]

Unbelievable Birdseye views from the Drone! what a trip!

[@phillipgoodwin8633]

Beautiful, excellent quality video. Keep up this great work!

[@RJsadventures]

Wow, every Video is like a Documentary. Excellent Job! Enjoying watching this journey, thanks for taking us along...

[@zzz7zzz9]

incredible video. the Yukon is hands-down the best place I have ever lived. we moved up there in the 70s, let's just say, the drive now is a cake-walk. I go back every opportunity I get on fishing trips.

[@marketshare5273]

Another award winning production. It appears we captured everything including The porcupines munching on the finger licking good Ford. I know the peck rats and mice Love The wiring on the new Ford trucks in Arizona but that’s definitely a first for porcupines that I’ve heard of👊👍😎

[@kristigarrigan7046]

Better than any series on Netflix.

[@michaud399]

I'm from watson lake you've seen some very very nice scenery that only locals usually see. You are so fortunate and it's Ross river. And that mud was way worse on the Alaska highway when my father and I moved to Watson lake in 1977 also rhe road was o lyrics one lane.

[@rodneysmith2360]

Thank you new subscriber. Each episode gets more exciting. I am very interested in your truck and camper build. I would love to do something similar sometime in the near future. Thanks so much and keep them coming. Cheers, Rodney

[@losmarcon]

Brilliant video guys, really enjoyed it. Very well edited.

[@barryinn1778]

That was very enjoyable to watch, and the photography , editing was excellent. I always wondered what that area looked like. Bring us more please. Thank you.

[@donnapionke6581]

Fantastic! Absolutely wonderful!! Love, love, love your videos! Safe travels!!

[@williamboggess2185]

What a great video, thank you. This trip looks amazing.

[@Jim.Hummel]

Beyond EPIC and I thought this installment packed with oodles of interesting things. String all these episodes together is going to make one incredible movie!

[@faridnasiri1]

Mortons you deserver an OSCAR ! love your videos

[@nml4546]

Excellent video guys. Video quality is excellent. Good editing. Kudos on you ability to handle the auto problem, a must if you're gonna go off into the wilds. You are my new favorite RV couple after "the Gone with the Wynns" who decided to become sailors and I abandoned them and the "His and Hers Vlogs" who are now doing who knows what.

[@johnirby493]

A low cost battery powered electric fence will keep animals from underneath your truck. Run it around the perimeter of the truck. Use plastic pegs to hang the wire on. Connect one lead to the wire, and the other to a metal stake pushed into the ground.

[@stefankolb3454]

Amazing scenery, definitely wanting to go there one day! Great Video.

[@marilynnarnold811]

Wow. Great reason NOT to be on that long road alone. I would have not been quite so up close and personal with the porcupines in the dark either. I wouldn't have been able to solder the wires either. (I will now learn that simple skill). Congrats to you guys.

[@M-DBarton]

I've seen porcupines eat the tires off a vehicle in the Adirondacks. So glad it wasn't worse for you guys. May I say that your videos are first rate productions and I really enjoy them. Thank you for your efforts in sharing your adventures with us!

[@MortonsontheMove]

We were grateful the damage wasn't worse as well! And thank you for your kind words about our videos. We appreciate you watching! :)

[@jaysuper8255]

The TOW (Top of the World) route, your absolutely right about once you drive up the first paved 5 miles to the ridge and you feel your on top of the world.

[@UbiqueOverland]

REALLY really great video guys! Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

[@peteacevedo3411]

It was great to watch this video as we just returned after spending 54 days on the road. Our time in Alaska was great and your video brought back some great memories. We just loved the town of Chicken and had a a great meal in the cafe.

[@jeanmcgahey1143]

Sorry about the porcupines damaging your truck. Beautiful scenery a d great filming

[@robinrutschman]

24:18 Sorry, but the images you captured in this video blew me away!!! I am very impressed!

[@MortonsontheMove]

Thanks! :)

[@FordTruckGuyKyle]

The best video I have ever watched on KZbin

[@sandrabianchi1609]

My son and I where in Dawson City in August of 2017, travelling from Toronto Ontario. Drove the Top Of The World Highway into Alaska. Love your vid series.....Cheers Steve

[@georgebliss2819]

It's a great drive. Done it a few times. The correct pronunciation is not Ka Knoll, it's Can All.

[@constancephoto6512]

Magnificent! Thank you for taking us along. Safe travels.

[@Birdsville2014]

Currently running through this series. Really enjoying not only the magnifcant scenery but also the great video production. We did the Icefield Parkway up to Prince Rupert back in 2018 at a similar time of the year. We had a truck camper as well. Not quite as flash as yours but we absolutely loved it. We had Lake Louise covered in very interesting ice. You were very brave travelling by yourself in such isolated regions with such a large vehicle. I am glad it all turned out well for you, even though there were a few times of "minor panic". Out here in Australia we have similar isolation in the Outback but it tends to be more like a desert rather than snow covered mountains. Could I recommend the value of doing a 4WD training course at some stage. We did ours many years ago and although our counrries are rather different the things you learn are invaluable. We are looking foward to the remaining episodes.

[@MortonsontheMove]

Thanks for the comment! some day we would like to do an off road course .

[@paulsjolund5180]

Another great video - I look forward to them! I am hoping that at some point you will do a video on how you like living in the Lance versus the 5th wheel...

[@TheUnsureFox]

I second this thought! Will be a good comparison.

[@MortonsontheMove]

We just put this idea on our list!

[@BG-ig9eu]

That place looked awesome. Glad you got out safely. Just for info some hobby shops will buy the porcupine quills, they are used a lot in Native American Regalia. Happy trails

[@123dagar]

Great video, I was amazed that you were so well prepared to fix the chewed wires. With that can you share your preparedness list ? , I would have never thought to have a soldering iron .

[@MortonsontheMove]

We will add this to our list for videos or blog posts!

[@steveleonard1227]

Rewatching the go north series while the snow swirls around outside. Everyone needs to to visit this amazing landscape at least once in their life. I’m glad we finally made the long trek from Ontario in 2018. Your videos bring back a flood of memories & the drone shots give another perspective. Thanks again. & FYI the GO NORTH series is still not available on Amazon Canada.

[@MortonsontheMove]

Thank you for watching! We're so glad we visited Alaska. It's a trip we'll never forget. Also, we're sorry Go North is not available on Amazon Prime in Canada, but it will continue to be available here on KZbin for Canadian viewers to watch for free.

[@utahhomeloan]

Amazing videography and storytelling.

[@olegmalyk1639]

Just found this channel. Really great quality. Welcome to Alaska. Hello from Fairbanks

[@NoOverhead]

Awesome episode. Excited to see the rest of the journey. 👍👍

[@jpallen719]

Very well done kids! Iam enjoying the trip!

[@TheNeuAdventure]

Who would have thought that porcupines can be such a pest! I felt bad for laughing... but it was pretty funny.. glad it turned out ok! That is a dream trip for us! So fun to watch y’all along the way!

[@blerickson88]

Love getting to experience your travels with you, doing what we can only at this time, dream about. Love especially the drone footages, seeing more than the eye can capture. Great job on your documenting. So far you are our favorite...because we can live it through your experiences!

[@steveleonard1227]

It was interesting that you showed a gravel driveway where you camped, that is on the Dempster. We stayed in that same area in 2018 during 2 days of rain that turned the neighboring small river into a torrent that closed the highway just after we left on the third morning. Glad we decided against traveling the Canol in our 19 year old Lance, but did the entire Campbell. LOVE your videos. They bring a flood of wonderful memories from our 4 months crossing western Canada that summer and a strong longing to go back to the northern wilderness.

[@MortonsontheMove]

Thanks Steve, I think we will find ourselves wanting to go back again too! Its so amazing up there :)

[@sdsuper1030]

You can get some inexpensive code readers that do not need internet to look up the codes and have diagnostic steps for the codes it reads. A must have for traveling fulltime

[@kimberlyscabiniowa1199]

Thank you so much for sharing your exciting travels! Such beautiful scenery and your positive attitudes that make the adventure even more wonderful! You are brave souls and sharing this just gave me such joy! I have subscribed and will share links to your videos!

[@kxrv6629]

The most amazing and unexpected Alaska wildlife encounter I have seen!!! And you covered quite a distance of territory in this one video.

[@russelltomlinson2353]

Hey folks I think we saw you on the Dempster highway last week! That was a great journey. Have been following your channel when we get service and really enjoying.

[@bobshaw4063]

Caitlin you did a terrific job narrating this vlog .

[@bobshaw4063]

How long do you intend on staying on the road before YA's come back home to the lower 48 at the end of your trip ? The scenery you showed is spectacular .

[@MortonsontheMove]

Thank you!

[@MortonsontheMove]

We will be on the road in the North till it gets cold :)

[@vincehooper9059]

Very impressed that you were able to make those repairs after the visit from the porcupines. Don’t know what was more surprising...that you actually had a soldering iron, or that you actually used it. 😉

[@MortonsontheMove]

Lol, I wasn't sure I would need it but being an electrical guy u feel handicapped without one , lol

[@rimasmeleshyus9486]

Very beautiful roud, I traveled on this roud in Yukan, Canada 🇨🇦 from Washington state to Alaska

[@D.Wilson2]

Just added porcupines to my list of annoying animals. Gheesh! Glad you were prepared. I don’t think I’ve ever packed my soldering iron before. 😮

[@bruced1429]

porcupines will eat your brake lines and electrics, so we always put chicken wire around the truck when camped in the north. Where and when we can we have to shoot them, sorry but that is sometimes to only thing you can do..We run into this often at our BC camps

[@hyker8787]

I heard if you coat your lines with grease it will keep them from chewing. Any truth to that?

[@bruced1429]

@@hyker8787 you have to be careful of grease and some,rubbers, My northern Canadian friends use Vaseline on any lines/power cords coming into the house or trailer to keep mice out .Porcupines are looking for salt so anything salty , like winter road salt on brake lines etc, they love to chew.at our moose camp my hunting partner heard a noise at night and it was a porcupine chewing on his boots we all awoke to a gun shot and dead porcupine . I could tell you more porcupine issues we have had in the north of Canada.

[@stanburk7392]

good advice. I've thought about getting a cattle prod but i have no doubt it would be used to wake me up one day.

[@angelabarabas1659]

Excellent video, enjoyed your adventures.

[@jvage]

Note to self.....Add potential problems while on the road to my list: Porcupines! Never would have thought this would have been an issue. Glad you got it fixed! Great job!

[@hopeulikenudes]

Excellent job on videoing and narrating you now have a new subscriber 😀

[@beachbum200009]

Yup... same here!!!!