Roll Call Alaska 2016
I have been planning this trip for 4+ years. It is now time to update my estimates and make my reservations. Estimate Wash/BC border about 5 May 2016, north on route 97/1/2 to Tok, south to Valdez...
Forum Discussion
To the poster who asked about going up in a tent. My suggestions having lived in and camped in AK (w/o RV) for the better part of my life
- It sounds like you're going to take a small vehicle up and camp out of that? In the old days, we called that either "car camping" or "luxury camping". Get a big tent (big enough for you, your gear, the pets if any, and a couple of cots. Even if only one cot is needed, it's great to get some of your gear off the floor.
- Bugs can be a nuisance, but can be really mitigated by: a) pick your spots carefully, hilltops are great, next to a spruce bog is bad; b) in addition to location, try to be in a breeze; c) locate a spot where you can build a fire; d) black cherry tobacco in a pipe helps, mosquito coils help even more, but I'm not sure they're made anymore. Citronella smudge pots work pretty well if you're not in a breeze...but breezy spots are better.
- Pick a tent with a vestibule; take some camp chairs if you have room;
- If possible, camp away from the "towns" (Los Anchorage and Squarebanks) and, particularly on holidays, avoid the State Parks located near those areas.
- Stop every few days at a motel. Take a long hot shower, let the tent dry, wash clothes, etc.
Following the above method, I have made several month-or-longer trips in AK "back in the day"....intend to start that again in a few months.
- It sounds like you're going to take a small vehicle up and camp out of that? In the old days, we called that either "car camping" or "luxury camping". Get a big tent (big enough for you, your gear, the pets if any, and a couple of cots. Even if only one cot is needed, it's great to get some of your gear off the floor.
- Bugs can be a nuisance, but can be really mitigated by: a) pick your spots carefully, hilltops are great, next to a spruce bog is bad; b) in addition to location, try to be in a breeze; c) locate a spot where you can build a fire; d) black cherry tobacco in a pipe helps, mosquito coils help even more, but I'm not sure they're made anymore. Citronella smudge pots work pretty well if you're not in a breeze...but breezy spots are better.
- Pick a tent with a vestibule; take some camp chairs if you have room;
- If possible, camp away from the "towns" (Los Anchorage and Squarebanks) and, particularly on holidays, avoid the State Parks located near those areas.
- Stop every few days at a motel. Take a long hot shower, let the tent dry, wash clothes, etc.
Following the above method, I have made several month-or-longer trips in AK "back in the day"....intend to start that again in a few months.
