The Chilkoot trail picture that Chris is referring to can be seen here

Like OldBaldGuy, I have also been up parts of the trail and there is no way I could do what these people did over a hundred years ago.

I have read a couple of books on the Mad Trapper of Rat River and it always amazes me what Albert Johnson and the RCMP went through for 40+ days in the middle of a far north winter.
Some more info here.
There is also an excellent documentry on the Mad Trapper that runs occasionally here in Canada on the History Channel.

My current reading material is a re-read of Farley Mowatt's Tundra. It is a compilation of 10 chronicles and diaries of early explorers and traders who ventured out into the northern wilds of Canada. It is a compelling read and for every person who thinks they can simply get up and go live off the land in the wilderness, this book will soon cloud those illusions...