Alaska

[Methodical]

Few years ago I drove from fairbanks to anchorage during the worst snow storm of the decade. Anchorage literally got two feet in two days (you probably remember that).

The roads were awful and I almost bit it a couple of times. When a semi was coming the other way I learned quickly to come to a COMPLETE stop even though that itself took forever. The complete whiteout following the semi's is a bit disconcerting, lasting 10-15 seconds until I could see a hint of something.

The stupidest thing I did was the drive itself. Why did I go to anchorage?

To get some arby's.

To be young and dumb.

 

[alaskaman]

I don't know Arbys is pretty good...LOL that can be a helluva road in a white out. Probably hit when I am there. Thanks for the tip.

 

[ExJeeper]

Cool! Take lots of pics of your journey! I was in the USAF for 10yrs and never got to Alaska. I was stationed in Iceland which was very beautiful but would have loved Alaska.

 

[alaskaman]

still got those Pirelli's?.... how are they holding up? i just ordered some via tire rack can't wait to get them mounted and balanced.

did you get your Scorpions?

 

[alaskaman]

Hood Lake Anchorage Alaska

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&s...727079&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum=1&ct=image

If you pan across left and down you can see a plane taxiing to take off. Hood lake is near the International Airport, and is a take off point for many destinations in Alaska.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Re: Hood Lake Anchorage Alaska

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&s...727079&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum=1&ct=image

If you pan across left and down you can see a plane taxiing to take off. Hood lake is near the International Airport, and is a take off point for many destinations in Alaska.

Very cool. As an aviation guy I have always been fascinated with Alaska and it's reliance on small planes (both seaplane and regular). Three things come to mind from my perspective: 1) I guess necessity being the mother of all inventions; I am blown away with the logistical prior planning the people of Alaska do (and seem to do well). It's a harsh place and what may seem like comfort items in other climates are 'life and death' items there. 2) This kind of relates to #1. Most small GA (General Aviation) planes are not equipped to fly in the clouds when ice can build up. Maybe I'm wrong but that seems like it could be weeks at a time and when supplies are needed at a remote location what do they do? 3) How do they get fuel to the remote places where a refueling is required? That seems like a huge hurdle to me considering the remoteness of some areas.

I guess they spend all summer stocking up on supplies and use the overland routes for fuel that will be needed for winter.

Glad you're up there safely and all is well.


:cheers:

 

[alaskaman]

Re: Re: Hood Lake Anchorage Alaska

Very cool. As an aviation guy I have always been fascinated with Alaska and it's reliance on small planes (both seaplane and regular). Three things come to mind from my perspective: 1) I guess necessity being the mother of all inventions; I am blown away with the logistical prior planning the people of Alaska do (and seem to do well). It's a harsh place and what may seem like comfort items in other climates are 'life and death' items there. 2) This kind of relates to #1. Most small GA (General Aviation) planes are not equipped to fly in the clouds when ice can build up. Maybe I'm wrong but that seems like it could be weeks at a time and when supplies are needed at a remote location what do they do? 3) How do they get fuel to the remote places where a refueling is required? That seems like a huge hurdle to me considering the remoteness of some areas.

I guess they spend all summer stocking up on supplies and use the overland routes for fuel that will be needed for winter.

Glad you're up there safely and all is well.


:cheers:

Actually leaving Wed AM but thanks for the optimism :bigok:

Planning is as you say key. Kotzebue has links to the outside world only by plane (typically single engine caravans king and queen air for medical peeps and larger to 707 with Alaska Airlines. They bring supplies in year round and those are sent by bush plane to more remote communities where they are picked up by the true remote adventure people. Most times supplies routes are open with a few times fog prevents Alaska Air from delivery. Most trucking is done by snow mobile to remote communities in the winter. a loaded snow mobile can extend most of the distance to places like Point Hope furthest north outpost in the Arctic. There is a very comprehensive Rescue Team in the Arctic. They are typically crossed trained Paramedics/Firefights/Divers and highly skilled pilots. Most single engine transport carries a full complement of survival gear and rations as well as being armed with rifle and handgun. Previous to GPS, radar was the most reliable means to deliver planes and supplies to their destinations. I have flown in December with fog, ice, *wing and no visibility only to see at the edge of the runway perfectly lined up for landing thanks to radar and an experienced pilot.

Most people who live and survive there do in fact spend spring and summer into early September before the snow falls harvesting subsistence from the ocean mostly salmon, whale and seal. Nothing is discarded and when a whale is caught the whole village knows it. We call that Muk Luk Telegraph. When they hunt, typically by small boat or snowmobile, they are armed with a large knife, handgun and rifle with rows of bullets across their chests. The natives see everything as sacred and everything has a tone and vibration.

Cars are brought in by barge in the summer. Gas right now in Kotzebue is about $7.40/gallon.

Most people die from not adequately assessing the weather.

 

[alaskaman]

Kotzebue Alaska

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Kotzebue_Alaska_aerial_view.jpg

 

[CJ3Flyr]

That's so cool! Everything but the $7.40/gallon.

Caravans are a 'known-ice' plane. I wasn't thinking about those but I guess they'd be the plane to have

Thanks for the pic link, very cool!

 

[alaskaman]

That's so cool! Everything but the $7.40/gallon.

Caravans are a 'known-ice' plane. I wasn't thinking about those but I guess they'd be the plane to have

Thanks for the pic link, very cool!

You are most welcome. You get up that way with the Fam or solo, you better get by for a moose burger........=)

 

[CJ3Flyr]

You are most welcome. You get up that way with the Fam or solo, you better get by for a moose burger........=)

:biggrin2: :bigok: I'm there

 

[alaskaman]

Heading out Tuesday afternoon. Will post pics when i get to Haines hopefully, weather and wifi cooperating.

Thanks for all the encouragement and suggestions. Ready to Roll.

Soon:

 

[MikeinCincy]

Heading out Tuesday afternoon. Will post pics when i get to Haines hopefully, weather and wifi cooperating.

Thanks for all the encouragement and suggestions. Ready to Roll.

Soon:

Really looking forward to the pics Alaskaman. Be safe and have fun!

 

[leftyguns21]

im excited about this trip and im not even the one going on it.

good luck on your journey and drive safe.

alaska is a place i would LOOOOVE to visit someday.

 

[SonRunner]

say hi to sarah palin for me!

 

[alaskaman]

oh No,you just didn't say that........

Okay. Loaded ready to roll. Woke up with a tooth ache. called dentist, sends me to Endodontist. Says root canal. You all know EXACTLY what I said. Short version. He says "you can't get on the ship with this thing"...so a few hours ago yup you got it. Root Canal. Home now nursing my wound. glad we packed everything on 4Runner early. Put the soft Thule pack on top, adds about 1.5 feet. Strapped down with ratchet teathers. Leaving AM.

Nothing will stop Alaskaman and the Beast:driving:

 

[alaskaman]

1st Day

Medford Oregon. Shasta Dam in the pic. averaging 18.5 loaded probably about 800 lbs. Nice weather. Mt Shasta about 14,500 in the background. Dry as a bone this way. gas about $2.80 reg unleaded.

 

[alaskaman]

Shasta Dam

Built in 1931. Used to be able to drive over the top of the dam. After 9.11 that became a thing of the past. Tours still possible though.

 

[thetaxguy]

WOW! I have never seen Lake Shasta that low before. Nice pic though.

 

[alaskaman]

WOW! I have never seen Lake Shasta that low before. Nice pic though.

very very dry. never seen it that low. above Mount Shasta City dry as a bone all the way to the south Oregon. perhaps beyond...........