MY PASSION
Travel is one of my greatest passions. I’ve explored well over a hundred countries, and like many, I find that travel fuels my curiosity, broadens my perspective and deepens my appreciation for our shared humanity. It reminds me to be humble, grateful and open-hearted.
MY FAVOURITE PLACE
I’m drawn to high-altitude deserts – Tibet, Bolivia, Afghanistan – but for this piece, I’ll choose a Canadian gem, hidden far off the beaten path. Driving north from Whitehorse, you’ll reach Stewart Crossing – a fork in the road up in the Yukon where most travellers head toward Dawson City, the historic heart of the Klondike Gold Rush. But if you veer onto the road less travelled, you’ll find yourself in Keno City – a near-abandoned silver-mining town that’s frozen in time. Today, Keno has only a handful of permanent residents, but it brims with character. Surrounded by rugged wilderness, it’s a place where history lingers. There’s no luxury accommodation, and the town’s best bar burned down years ago, but that only adds to its mystique.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Hike the hills, drive the winding roads and explore the remnants of Keno’s mining days. Abandoned mine shafts dot the landscape and the mining museum is a must-visit – it’s a fascinating collection curated by locals who salvaged relics from forgotten sites, preserving the town’s history with remarkable dedication.
IF YOU BUY ONE THING
There’s not really anything to buy in Keno, and that’s part of its charm. We found a fascinating collection of photos of town residents taken in the 1960’s by a local photographer named Kennedy Bradshaw. It was a truly remarkable – and totally unknown – body of work. My colleague purchased a number of prints. If you’re lucky, you might come across one of the last souvenir hats made by Mike Mancini, the affable owner of the town’s pizza joint, and a key figure behind the mining museum. He kindly gave me one –perhaps it’s the last of its kind.
SAVVY TRAVELLER TIP
I prefer off-the-grid destinations, so my packing essentials include rain gear, natural fibres (especially wool, which retains heat even when wet), and a well-stocked first aid kit—because in places like Keno, medical help isn’t always close by. And if you’re here, you’re venturing into grizzly bear country, so take precautions. Pack bear spray and a whistle, stay alert and remember – out here, bears outnumber people.
MY TAKEAWAY
I’m drawn to places where the barriers to access aren’t financial but logistical and geographical. When you venture off the beaten path, you’ll encounter kindred spirits – fellow travellers who share your curiosity, your thirst for adventure and your appreciation for the unique. Or, even better, you’ll find solitude. Keno City is one such place, but it’s just one of many in Canada’s vast north. Though inhabited for thousands of years, this broader region remains one of the last truly wild places on Earth –a gateway to adventure, discovery and the raw, untamed beauty of nature.
