I am not always a stickler about things being "to the book," but when it comes to history, accuracy is important. 1). Where are their belongings? The brutality of hiking the Chilkoot was the requirement to have 2000 pounds of goods, per person + enough supplies to build a boat at Bennet Lake, unless frozen at which point one needed a sled. 2). Soapy Smith never set foot on the Chilkoot Trail, let alone was he ever in Dawson City. He was shot to death in Skagway by Frank Reid. That would have made a great part of this story, had they developed the storyline in Skagway. They could have included Molly Walsh - as well as showing the camps at Canyon City and Sheep Camp to demonstrate how long it took these people to haul 2000 lbs per person to each camp (several trips back and forth). 3). The great Avalanche disaster happened on April 3, not at the end of June. The graveyard at Dyea is quite profound, considering how far away it is from the site of the actual disaster. The least the writers could have done was used the correct date. 4). Though the Pass was difficult, it was the lowest pass, cut through the mountains with a lake on the other side. In this show, they have them climbing up some mountain edge, in an endless mountain range that makes it seem as though these people were mountain climbers. In fact, they were entrepreneurs who chose the easiest route, so the film makers could have focused more on the hardships these people really did suffer, such as sever chafing, frost bite, horses who literally jumped from the cliffs, etc. 5). What about the scales? That was the neatest aspect of the trail. Once everyone got to the scales, if they had more than 2000 lbs, they immediately started throwing stuff away, right on the mountain. Today, it is an interesting garbage dump! Sad that the writers missed just about every aspect of the trail that was significant, important and perfect for great storytelling. Some reviewers have said it was too short and I agree. Someone should make a mini- series out of Pierre Burtons "Klondike" because that was a compelling story.

Have just watched the first episode and enjoyed it. When I watch a drama I'm not concerned if the historical accuracy is not perfect I'm more concerned that the actors can act (they can). Some reviewers seem to be upset that a Scotsman and an Australian play the leads complaining that the accents aren't believable, but who can say how someone talked over 100 years ago, language changes FACT. Yes the language they use is modern screen writers write for there target audience (as they always have). Enough of a rant if you want to be entertained and get an impression of the conditions in Dawson City watch, if you want 100% historical accuracy either invent a time machine and travel back to the 1890's or watch a documentary.

I usually love gold rush stories. However, this one is not one I would recommend watching if you want to get an accurate picture about what the Yukon gold rush was like. Inaccuracies abound. Actually it became fun to find them. The Discovery Channel powers-that-be mention that they are proud of the historical accuracy and their valuable educational service. This show illustrates quite the opposite of the type of programming they say they are proud to produce.Having hiked up the Chilkoot Pass twice, it was interesting to see how they treated this part of the story. What was really laughable was the scene at Dyea where you can see the line of stampeders trudging up the "golden stairs". Impossible. You can't see the hill or the pass from Dyea; it's a three day hike to get to the pass. Seeing the ski hill in the background was a bit silly as well. The wolf scene was ridiculous. It seems that no show about the Canadian wilderness is complete without wolves (or bears) attacking the hero. Wolves do not behave like this.Contrary to what is implied by the production, Dawson City was not a lawless town with gunslinging bullies, shootings and avenging Natives. Chaotic yes, but not lawless. The police were strict but fair. They were also lenient in that they allowed prostitution and gambling. Handguns were never permitted, however. Neither were disorderly conduct, obscenity, or cheating. The police did not hang folks or chase down and kill Natives. In general, both the police and the Natives were unfairly and incorrectly portrayed. And, by the way, the Tlingit did not inhabit the Dawson area.The story was somewhat entertaining, and the acting wasn't half bad except for the mumbling in several places (I thought I was losing my hearing). Too bad and sad, however, that the majority of Canadian actors in this shot-in-Canada production about an event in Canadian history were only background actors.Discovery Channel, you are doing a complete disservice to the public you say you are proud to be educating. Let's hope that future similar productions you are involved in are indeed educational and not fallacious fluff. I guess this is a good example of the famous saying " don't let the truth get in the way of a good story". I realize that some literary license is necessary to enable the flow of the story and keep the audience interested, but this shouldn't be to the point of doing a disservice to important aspects of Canada's history (in particular how the police and Natives were portrayed) or to the point where the story panders to the warped misconceptions or expectations of the target audience (e.g. the wolf scene and the wild west gunslingers).

I lived in Alaska for many years. This show was disappointing. It was overly dramatic and very unrealistic. A man who falls in the Yukon would have frozen. My music teacher got his feet wet and died of hypothermia, the guy on the show was fully immersed and never built a fire afterward. Wolves don't attack people!!! My dad saw only one wolf the entire 16 years he lived, hunted and trapped in the bush and only because it was upwind. As soon as he clapped his hands it was gone in an instant. They're elusive. It seemed really similar to Game of Thrones, but I accept that show is unrealistic...it has dragons after all. I was hoping for more historical accuracy with this show.