Ice Creeper

During the winters of 1897-1898, thousands of men and women arrived in the twin ports of Skagway and Dyea during the winter and crossed the parallel Chilkoot and White Pass trails into Canada to reach the Klondike gold fields. Ice creepers, also known as crampons, were an essential piece of gear during the Klondike Gold Rush. The gold seekers, commonly nicknamed Stampeders, were required to carry a year's worth of supplies to receive permission to cross the Canadian border. Hauling their goods was easier in the winter since the ice and snow allowed Stampeders to use sleds, pulled either by themselves or by dogs. Stampeders' ice creepers were usually hand-made by blacksmiths who set up shop in the boom towns that sprung up around Skagway and Dyea's harbors. The area is still known for its icy winters and today's residents use modern versions of these historic objects for their safety and comfort.