Alaska Cruiser Trek 2010

Mark W · 08-09-09, 09:32 PM

This is a close up of a Moulin... the water from the surface streams on the glacier plunges deep into the ice here.... the depth of this on is unknown to us, but they can be hundreds of yards deep. All the way to the bottom of the ice. The water flowing into them usually runs in a fast flowing cute, polished glass smooth. You do not want to fall into that chute!

Mark...

jonb96150 · 08-11-09, 07:27 AM

I'm giving this serious consideration. My bj70 meets all the requirements. But.... the water crossings give me pause. I really don't want to fill the interior with silt laden water. My vhf and hf radios are just about seat level. Not to mention all the other stuff that would get soaked in a rig with 3" lift on 35's (hah, prolly more like 33's now) How much water typically (as if there is a typical) enters the rigs with doors on? I've never crossed deep water so I don't know how fast it makes it's way in.

Thanks for all your time in answering questions!

Mark W · 08-11-09, 11:29 AM

Generally water does not enter the interior of the rig. In a '40 with bad seals you will get some on the floors. The concerns come in an unsuccessful crossing... if you are stuck and awaiting assistance then the water will start to find it's way in. No predicting things then.

In reality we seldom have a problem with water getting in and harming stuff. But it CAN happen Between Gina and I we lost 4 or 5 cameras in the early years of our explorations due to having them simply sitting on the seats (or once floorboards :( ) during crossings gone wrong. A bad crossing attempt can leave you with water coming in the windows, much less around door seals.

During the Trek we do not tackle extreme crossings... but if you are up the valley, and the river comes up, sometimes you wind up with more challenge than you expected.

Radios mounted on the floor/transmission tunnel are a bad idea up here.

In fact... in my and Kevin's '40s, which sit SOA on 40 inch boggers, we have our radios and all electronics mounted above the windshield, by the roof. We use these two rigs for a lot of exploring of new trails... so a lot of unknown water crossings... sooner or later you have oops moments.

Mark...

jonb96150 · 08-11-09, 11:24 PM

Very informative answer, thank you!

matt.mcinnes · 08-13-09, 11:11 PM

I believe a holiday should be an adventure.

So in for a penny in for a pound, you all think I'm nuts anyways.

Info pack? Mark can you look after my truck if I shipped direct to Alaska prior, also nearest and most suitable port Anchorage?

I'll look into what's need to drive over there in my 40 legally.

Found the dates late June 2010

Alaska's DMV emailed to see what's involved with driving legally in the USA

PS my partner Liz is an ICU nurse always useful to have along.

RockDoc · 08-14-09, 12:23 AM

Good to see you still have the right intentions Matt

Mark W · 08-14-09, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt.mcinnes

I believe a holiday should be an adventure.

So in for a penny in for a pound, you all think I'm nuts anyways.

Info pack? Mark can you look after my truck if I shipped direct to Alaska prior, also nearest and most suitable port Anchorage?

I'll look into what's need to drive over there in my 40 legally.

Found the dates late June 2010

Alaska's DMV emailed to see what's involved with driving legally in the USA

PS my partner Liz is an ICU nurse always useful to have along.

Picking the rig up at the port (Anchorage has it's own port) and keeping it at the shop would not be a problem.

We are still discussing a couple issues and the info/application packet is being proofread. Should have it out in just a couple/few more days now.

Mark...

matt.mcinnes · 08-14-09, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockDoc

Good to see you still have the right intentions Matt

Still at planning stage, Shipping will be the big expense and flights. But you only live once.

As for the truck she will be in tip top shape by then, just need to design and build a rear bar for the tyre and fuel load.

Will wait to see what DMV have to say, I know it can be done, seen a couple of bikes with some 2 bit film stars go from London to New York Via Russia and Alaska, Canada. On UK registered bikes. Been paid for there troubles to be filmed.

matt.mcinnes · 08-14-09, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark W

Picking the rig up at the port (Anchorage has it's own port) and keeping it at the shop would not be a problem.

We are still discussing a couple issues and the info/application packet is being proofread. Should have it out in just a couple/few more days now.

Mark...

I know Anchorage is a port, it was more a question of how close or convenient to you as Alaska is a pretty big place.

Mark W · 08-14-09, 12:41 AM

I am in Wasilla, about 45 miles from the port. The trailhead we will be heading for is another 300, more or less. There will probably be a group running to the trailhead the night before the start of the Trek. Some of us will be out there already.

Mark...

matt.mcinnes · 08-14-09, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark W

I am in Wasilla, about 45 miles from the port. The trailhead we will be heading for is another 300, more or less. There will probably be a group running to the trailhead the night before the start of the Trek. Some of us will be out there already.

Mark...

Well if all goes to plan I'm happy to come early and help out with what ever is needed. Depends on the flights. I'll just take 4 weeks vacation most likely.

So a 40 min drive for you to pick my truck up and 20 min drive back

Mark W · 08-14-09, 01:53 AM

If all goes as currently envisioned, Charla and I will be doing a "new season's" pre-run of the trails we will be using immediately before the Trekkers arrive and we will just camp at the trailhead afterwards to await them. The support truck and the folks from the Anchorage area will come out together the night before the Trek starts. But details are not gonna be set in stone until a whole lot closer than this.

Mark...

matt.mcinnes · 08-14-09, 02:41 AM

Shipping seems to be Melbourne to Seattle and Seattle to Anchorage via RORO

I'll round up some quotes for shipping and Air fair's and see what DMV Alaska has to say.

This maybe just under a year away but there is a lot to put in place to make this happen no small feat by any means.

Would love to catch up with some of the greats from IH8Mud though.

PabloCruise · 08-14-09, 02:28 PM

Matt, you may as well load up that container with some rare Cruiser bits from Oz to sell in AK and make that shpping pay for itself!!!

I'll take a RHD 55, w/ 5 spd, please. Price check?

Randy88FJ62 · 08-14-09, 04:04 PM

He's right. We go crazy of the ambulance doors, side rear sliding windows, front bench seats, and H55's.

matt.mcinnes · 08-15-09, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy88FJ62

He's right. We go crazy of the ambulance doors, side rear sliding windows, front bench seats, and H55's.

Tempting but not worth all the hassle RORO will be the go. Will have enough to look after with just my own gear if I can make the trip.

matt.mcinnes · 08-16-09, 04:22 PM

Mark W

PM sent

Mark W · 08-19-09, 02:52 PM

Reposting this because of the Mud Crash.... The info packets are ready and are being distributed. If you do not have one and you want one, let me or Charla know and include an email addy to forward it to.

If you posted anything here before the crash and did not get a response (Would have had to have been early on Weds)... post it again

Mark...

jonb96150 · 08-19-09, 04:44 PM

Yep my post is gone. It took me days to compose it. It was a freakin work of art I'm tellin ya. Here it goes again.

email addy <jonb96150@yahoo.com> please send me a packet!

Mark W · 08-19-09, 05:57 PM

Jon you should have received a packet. I will send it again this evening once I get back to my High speed connection. I am wrenching today and Charla is in the field right now.

Mark...

Mark W · 08-19-09, 05:58 PM

Oh yeah... reference your other post.... that your daughter explained to you that a Jeep would be blasphemous on the Trek...

She is a wise girl indeed.

Mark...

matt.mcinnes · 08-19-09, 09:29 PM

Hi Mark

Entry Emailed, Payment sent via PayPal.

Let me know if there is any issue.

At this point it will be my partner Liz along side for 2010 but she may not be able to swing all the time off work as we intend to see some friends in NJ after and maybe a week in Hawaii on the way back.
So I left that section blank for now. If she elects not to I'm sure can find someone to ride shotgun.

Matt

Ratpuke · 08-19-09, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark W

... and Charla is in the field right now.

Mark...

Actually, Mark I'm reliving some of the finer aspects of Alaska life in the far NE of B.C. these days. It's part of my ACT 2010 training regime and it includes surviving bug bootcamp. My personal trainers include swarms of mosquitoes, black flies, nociums and wasps. They're leaving their mark on my sanity and brief relief comes in the form of a cooling downpour. Been wheeling and hiking through miles of 'skeg and today I was followed by a cow moose who was looking for her two calves. Haven't had any tires fly off my quad yet though! Maybe tomorrow.

Charla

Mark W · 08-20-09, 12:24 AM

Loosing a tire only counts if it comes off at the top of a harrowing decent. And it rolls half a mile down a ravine in thick brush. And it is a 40 inch bogger. And it is too steep and too brushy to get it out by hand. Otherwise it is still just beginners class. But then... You have already completed the advanced class, So I would suggest you skip any repeat of all that fun.

Mark...

Mark W · 08-20-09, 02:06 AM

Another teaser

Mark...

matt.mcinnes · 08-20-09, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark W

Another teaser

Mark...

Counting the days so for now I'll just have to make do with this.
Kookaburra

Snow Gum Trees along with my eldest and the 40

D'Animal · 08-20-09, 06:26 AM

You have snow in Australia?

matt.mcinnes · 08-20-09, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D'Animal

You have snow in Autralia?

No it's all photo chop

Oh and thats my Daughter you can hear trying to figure out how you go around a corner without any steering.

Quote:

Isabell

Darn how the **** he do that

IF you look closely there is a couple walking up the hill one with an Orange sledge, just near there feet are a series of black gouge marks where I barrel rolled the Sledge 4 or 5 times at my first attempt to hold the corner at speed.

Few more of Mt Baw Baw

pesimsmd · 08-20-09, 09:43 AM

I am wondering how would IFS holdup on the "Hardcore Sightseeing" trip, mainly Land Cruiser 100 Series or FJ Cruiser with 35's and lockers. My take is that there should not be a problem for either of these since this is not a "rock Crawling adventure" requiring a lot of articulation. Any insight to IFS vs Alaska would be greatly appreciated.

Paul

coldtaco · 08-20-09, 11:02 AM

Paul,
I went on the 2006 one and I would say that a properly built IFS truck would do just fine. The biggest hurdle would be how water proof you can make your rig.
Mark, what's your thoughts?
Matt,
You need to ask the US customs what they want from you for you to drive in the US. AK DMV don't care I think. You probably only need to have proof of insurance and a round trip ticket for you and any of your passengers and your cruiser. I think you can get like a 6 month tourist visa.