Hi, name is Don, live in Anchrorage, looking for a few members up here. Hey, it is already January, means winter is half over, might be a trip to Jim Creek or something in our cards later eh?
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Name's David, live in Wasilla, formerly Valdez. '82 Power Ram (pics in Truck section).
Does'nt look like alot of members up here! Anyone else care to get something going??
Does'nt look like alot of members up here! Anyone else care to get something going??
Welcome Jason! I think you knock our total up to 3 active members in the AK chapter now... 
-Aaron
I think you knock our total up to 3 active members in the AK chapter now... -Aaron
Get rid of everything that will not fit in your truck/RC. Towing a trailer up or down the Alcan is not fun. Not to say it cannot be done, it can just be a royal PITA, especially through the old stretches of highway that have not been widened.
Make the move during mid-summer. You will have to put up with a considerable amount of RV (tourist) traffic, but the roads will be clear of snow/ice, and there will be many more passers-by if you ended up breaking down somewhere.
Avoid the Cassiar Highway unless you are carrying fuel with you. It has very long stretches with absolutely NO services of any kind. I don't think even AAA will come and rescue you on the Cassiar. (I am not positive on that--ask AAA if you have it).
Be prepared for flat tires. I have made the journey 6 times, and never had a flat (knock on wood) but when you go through contruction sites, or areas that the asphault has been removed, you can see why the Alcan can be very hazardous to tires. Most travelers you see will have at least 2 good spares.
Carry at least 5 gallons of extra fuel with you. The Alcan has a gas station every 250 miles (at least), but many of them are NOT open 24 hours (even for credit card purchases), many do not have premium (if your rig needs it), and many are only open seasonally. Mid-summer is the best time to catch all of them when they are open (tourist traffic), but you may find yourself needing gas and nary a station in site.
Then of course, all the usual road-trip items. Extra belts, hoses, fluids, flashlight, etc.
Good luck with the move, if you end up doing it.
-SM
Make the move during mid-summer. You will have to put up with a considerable amount of RV (tourist) traffic, but the roads will be clear of snow/ice, and there will be many more passers-by if you ended up breaking down somewhere.
Avoid the Cassiar Highway unless you are carrying fuel with you. It has very long stretches with absolutely NO services of any kind. I don't think even AAA will come and rescue you on the Cassiar. (I am not positive on that--ask AAA if you have it).
Be prepared for flat tires. I have made the journey 6 times, and never had a flat (knock on wood) but when you go through contruction sites, or areas that the asphault has been removed, you can see why the Alcan can be very hazardous to tires. Most travelers you see will have at least 2 good spares.
Carry at least 5 gallons of extra fuel with you. The Alcan has a gas station every 250 miles (at least), but many of them are NOT open 24 hours (even for credit card purchases), many do not have premium (if your rig needs it), and many are only open seasonally. Mid-summer is the best time to catch all of them when they are open (tourist traffic), but you may find yourself needing gas and nary a station in site.
Then of course, all the usual road-trip items. Extra belts, hoses, fluids, flashlight, etc.
Good luck with the move, if you end up doing it.
-SM
The ferry is always an option, but I have been told (I've never gone that route) it's fairly expensive. With gas prices spiraling out of control, the ferry may very well be the cheaper option. Not nearly as scenic though. The AlCan has some absolutely beautiful stretches that you will never forget.
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