Alaska advice

[devildog1971]

Has anyone ever went to Alaska by way of a ferry from Washington state, if so where did you board the ferry at, and where did you disembark. Is there any Canadian customs, if you go by way of a ferry? Would like to do the Alcan highway, but leaving in October roads might be unknown condition I know it is late in the year but we are going to support a dear one that is on a military base there. Thanks for your help sincerely

[54suds]

in 2001 we went to Alaska via the Cassiar highway following snow plows into whistler then up the Alcan and pulled into NorthPole & Fairbanks Dec 24 stayed in the American legion parking lot temp -24 best trip we've ever taken !!! We were in a brand new purchased just for the trip Bigfoot 1011 3000 series . We have only taken the Alaska ferries on several other trips, twice & we landed in Canada and headed home and no real problems from Canadian officials but USA border bureaucrats hassled me because they couldn't/wouldn't believe I had documented permission from Canada to transport a M1 carbine.

[Grit_dog]

Reality Check wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
^ Summer. Staying through the summer is what he alluded to I believe.
Wintering over in a TC would be a high adventure/survival experience, not even remotely "normal" living accommodations. Whether the OP is in ANC or FBKS, which he hasn't specified.

See, I'm not even sure now. I think they're talking about leaving in October... summer is over in the Alaska I know (which is really, really, trivial comparatively to many).

I think you gave good advice, but then, I don't have thin skin, lol.

Dang man, you shoulda bet me a beer! You were right! PS leaving work now can be in NB in 20 min and I'll buy you one anyway!

Se I woulda swore that "goin to support a dear one" or ill friend or whatever he said wasn't an activity that could be postponed for like 5 months....generally when I'm called on for a need, it's not a take your time, sometime in the future maybe, need. So my bad.

And apparently they want to take their camper for NEXT year.

Well, best wishes and next time just look up the sailing schedules for the ferries....

[devildog1971]

I only asked if anyone had took a ferry from the lower states to Alaska. And where did anyone embark and disembark, and if so is there any Canadian customs . Maybe that is easier questions and not cryptic. All options are open and yes we already have a house to winter in Alaska. Thanks for the information I have already got. We are not spy’s or James Bond just wanted to know the experience of using the ferry boats.

[rutzbeck]

It is possible to stay in a camper in the cold. I have done it down to -30 not the most comfortable but as long as you have access to a bathroom it is do able. You also go through propane to the tune of one tank every three days, if you are careful. In Oct it won't be anywhere near that cold even way up north. I use my camper more in the winter than in the summer. Yes I do it in Alaska though it is Southeast so no where as cold as up north but we did have -6 this last winter.

[Grit_dog]

So you’re ferrying up and then staying the winter?
Or leaving the camper down here and staying in a house up there, until or thru winter?
Not that it’s any of my business but then again, I didn’t ask the cryptic questions or post my cryptic plans and I’m intrigued…

[devildog1971]

We have already left heading west the T/C will be winterized and we will stay in a house which Alaska has a few more of than igloos. Thanks for advice on the ferry’s that was all I needed was to here from someone who has made the journey that way thank you and that is all I have to say about that

[rutzbeck]

Back to the question. You will have to travel the whole way by ferry unless you can talk the border into agreeing that it is essential travel. That means you only have the Kennikot to ride unless you want to lay over in Juneau or Ketchikan to get it. The Ken only goes every other week. I know it was going northbound fairly full a couple of weeks ago. You no longer need a COVID test to ride it but mask are required everywhere but your room. It may or may not be running in Oct as the schedule hasn't come out. It looks like the border may open to vaccinated indivuals in early July but I wouldn't count on it.

[Grit_dog]

PS, I’d like to leave now for AK and come back never!

[Grit_dog]

Reality Check wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
^ Summer. Staying through the summer is what he alluded to I believe.
Wintering over in a TC would be a high adventure/survival experience, not even remotely "normal" living accommodations. Whether the OP is in ANC or FBKS, which he hasn't specified.

See, I'm not even sure now. I think they're talking about leaving in October... summer is over in the Alaska I know (which is really, really, trivial comparatively to many).

I think you gave good advice, but then, I don't have thin skin, lol.

Thanks! I tried…
I sometimes forget seems a lot of folks just like to pontificate or only hear what they want to hear.
Knowing now, I think, OP wants to head up now and come back in October, he has few options. And actually hasn’t even responded appropriately to make me (us) think that he’s doing more than the pontification stage.

[Bedlam]

There was talk about borders opening this week, but it was pushed out another month with no guarantees.

[Reality_Check]

Grit dog wrote:
^ Summer. Staying through the summer is what he alluded to I believe.
Wintering over in a TC would be a high adventure/survival experience, not even remotely "normal" living accommodations. Whether the OP is in ANC or FBKS, which he hasn't specified.

See, I'm not even sure now. I think they're talking about leaving in October... summer is over in the Alaska I know (which is really, really, trivial comparatively to many).

I think you gave good advice, but then, I don't have thin skin, lol.

[Grit_dog]

^ Summer. Staying through the summer is what he alluded to I believe.
Wintering over in a TC would be a high adventure/survival experience, not even remotely "normal" living accommodations. Whether the OP is in ANC or FBKS, which he hasn't specified.

[Reality_Check]

devildog1971 wrote:
Wish people would read the entire question going up staying through summer we have a loved one whose husband is on a military base and she is ill and needs help. Wanted to know my options people read what they want to into a question. Asked for help from someone who may have done this before, if I were well informed why ask I have answered many questions on this forum. Now I know why many never come back

I did read the entire question. It doesn't mention staying through the winter. It does imply a lack of knowledge on the basics, so I think you got a wealth of information and common sense direction in an attempt to help. I don't understand the attack for the responses.

So, if I understand this correctly, you need the rig to stay in over the winter near the base while tending for your friend. Incredibly generous and heartfelt. Good luck for sure.

[jimh406]

devildog1971 wrote:
Wish people would read the entire question going up staying through summer we have a loved one whose husband is on a military base and she is ill and needs help.

Sorry that I don’t have experience with it, but as others have said, you will have to take a ferry if Canada doesn’t open up.