As we arrive, we stare out the plane’s window to see beautiful mountains.

No more than two hours after our arrival we were getting our first taste of “mushing” in minus 30 degrees. The group, now all dressed in ridiculously huge winter gear, listened attentively to our teacher and leader, Rod, over a barking choir of fifty dogs. But for now, we’re still studying theory. The real deal try out is tomorrow: two hours of practice.

It’s a miracle were all in Whitehorse on time. Our two days of travelling was ridden with delays. But it all fit: 12 cancer patients with 6 adults on 5 different planes through a massive storm with an overnight in Vancouver worked out.

Our group comes from four provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. Most of us didn’t know each other. Rest assured, we are now past breaking the ice. People that seemed quiet are now the biggest talkers, like Anthony from Montreal. One thought seems to be the common trend: finally, no more parents!

In the Uncommon Journeys’ base camp, some dogs roam around, while most are leashed. Rod told us that three of them have previously won the Yukon Quest. One of them did it despite being asthmatic too. It’s awesome that they’ll be part of our six sled team. To top it all off, we are going on the Yukon Quest trail itself for our five days expedition.

But for now we stick around the warm log cabins that are at the end of a road just outside Whitehorse. The dining house is huge, and very comfortable. The guys are split between two cabins, while the girls stay in a Mongolian style house. Can’t remember the name, too many new things to assimilate!

Tomorrow, I’ll take tons of photos. This might be our last chance to share photos since the sat phone seems to be picky. Time to go to bed, catch some sleep. Dogs are howling in the back while snow is falling from the nightly sky.