Moving to Alaska!

DRSS
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Life Member NRA
Life Member WSF

Rhyme of the Sheep Hunter
May fordings never be too deep, And alders not too thick; May rock slides never be too steep And ridges not too slick.
And may your bullets shoot as swell As Fred Bear's arrow's flew; And may your nose work just as well As Jack O'Connor's too.
May winds be never at your tail When stalking down the steep; May bears be never on your trail When packing out your sheep.
May the hundred pounds upon you Not make you break or trip; And may the plane in which you flew Await you at the strip.
-Seth Peterson

11 March 2009, 21:25

TWL

Brett:

You are one lucky dog. But you've certainly earned it! Congrats.

While in high school in the late 60's I took summer jobs in Alaska, working mostly as carpenter labor for a guy building cabins on Big Lake, near Wasilla.

My secret plan was to finish my last year of high school in Anchorage and enroll in U of A. When my parents found out, they put a stop to that nonsense. I was summarily ordered home and the rest is history.

Enjoy the adventure. You're going to have a great time.

11 March 2009, 23:58

Paul H

Sounds like you're pretty well lined out. With a 4X4 truck and a/t or winter tires you should be fine. I've driven 4X4 trucks w/ a/t tires for the 12 years we've been up here and the only time I've needed chains, I shouldn't have been on the roads. Water on top of ice is bad, bad, bad.

With fresh fluids in the vehicle, new belts (carry the old ones as spares) and a newer battery you should have no problems. If the battery is more than a few years old, replace it.

Most gas trucks start fine down to 0F w/o plugging in. Once I parked my 94 toy truck overnight w/o plugging in and it dropped to -30F. The truck did start the next day, but reluctantly. You can put charcoal brickets in a tin, get them started and place them under the engine for a cordless method of warming up your engine.

It's a long drive, so take breaks and don't try and set a speed record. Take a camera and get some good pics along the way. My regret from our drive up is we didn't take many pictures.

12 March 2009, 06:53

George Semel

Have a good trip.

12 March 2009, 23:25

BrettAKSCI

Thanks for the good wishes and advice. I had the battery checked today and it's tip top. I'm replacing the belt today and keeping the old one for a spare. I bought mobile 1 5w30 fully synthetic. Things seem to be falling into place. Just counting down to next thursday. I plan on taking lots of pictures and posting a report when I arrive. It may take a bit as I'm sure I'll be busy at first.

Brett

18 March 2009, 10:35

BrettAKSCI

I'm packing my truck tomorrow. Leaving Thursday. Wish me luck!!

Brett