The terrain consisted of steep mountains, frozen snow and rock-hard earth, which significantly increased the difficulty in day-to-day life. It contributed to conditions that were were unsanitary, and diseases spread quickly. In the search for wealth, many became sick, and many died.
Klondike Camps
Many camps were quickly constructed along the trails as stampeders poured into the area. The typical terrain of these large camps was flat, and the ice underneath the stampeder's tents was firmly packed. These two factors contributed to the fact that the water and waste accumulated there couldn't drain properly. This resulted in the quick spread of diseases through the unsanitary water. This danger of disease was one danger the stampeders faced and caused some to die or turn back without finding their wealth, contributing to the failure of the goldrush.
The camps were also extremely overcrowded as people flocked rapidly to the sites, on limited available camping land. In a diary, Inga Sjolseth wrote that one town, Sheep Camp, "is so full of people that one can barely breathe." This was another cause of the rapid spread of disease because when people are in close proximity to one another they are more likely to come in contact with an infected person.
The unsanitary and overcrowded nature of the camps led to the quick spread of diseases like typhoid fever. Dr. E.M. Riniger said "During seven years of practice in Alaska, I cared for 177 cases of typhoid fever..." ("Northwest Medicine." September 1906)
The camps were also extremely overcrowded as people flocked rapidly to the sites, on limited available camping land. In a diary, Inga Sjolseth wrote that one town, Sheep Camp, "is so full of people that one can barely breathe." This was another cause of the rapid spread of disease because when people are in close proximity to one another they are more likely to come in contact with an infected person.
The unsanitary and overcrowded nature of the camps led to the quick spread of diseases like typhoid fever. Dr. E.M. Riniger said "During seven years of practice in Alaska, I cared for 177 cases of typhoid fever..." ("Northwest Medicine." September 1906)