Alaska Cruiser Trek 2010 (1 Viewer)

[Mark W]

Lowenbrau (Bruce Lowen) and Ratpuke (Charla) brought his BJ73 up in 2007 on 37 inch "semi-mudtires" for a non-Trek outing with Kevin and I for some exploring. They did real well, except when we got into... Mud There they were hit and miss


Heading out in 5 minutes to look at trails and see just how much mud we may be able to find next year


Mark...

 

[Mark W]

Just got home. Flew about 700 miles today inspecting trails. Very optimistic about a couple of them. Reports nay saying them were apparently from folks with a very different frame of reference than we have. Not uncommon. Sadly the pass we had hoped to cross is not doable. We can reach the top from either side, except for about 1/8 of a mile on one side. Might climb to the top while we are out there, just to be there.

I will post a few pics up in a bit.


Mark...

 

[Mark W]

These are some shots I took flying up the Chistochina River, looking to see if it is feasible to run down the river itself instead of the winter trail that is up in the woods and marshes above it.


These first two shots are not high altitude, but they are too high to really see the details that you need to see...

These next shots are down where you need to be to inspect terrain and water courses...

In this last shot you can see the airstrip we are about to set down on, in the center of the shot, beside the river.

Mark...

 

[D'Animal]

WOW!

That looks like it was a fun ride.

 

[Mark W]

It was a blast... But the ceilings were dropping and weather closing in as we finished inspecting the high passes, so we were glad to head for home. And the electrical system died so we had to shut down the laptop GPS and the intercoms. Landed NORDO in Wasilla.


More pics coming as they upload.


Mark...

 

[Mark W]

One the ground with one leg of the Chistochina Glacier in the background

Obligatory "I was here, aren't I cool" shot

Better view of the strip from the ground, almost ready for takeoff.

Just some of the terrain overlooking our climbout.

One of the high valleys we will consider climbing into for a different place to camp

 

[Mark W]

These pics are flying up the Robertson River. We had hoped top connect from the this drainage to the Tok River drainage, but one small spot blocks us

This the the snout of the Robertson Glacier and the lake surrounding it

Mark...

 

[Mark W]

This is some of the terrain that separates the Robertson and the Tok Rivers.

That's all the pics for tonight


Mark...

 

[Mark W]

Okay... One more, just cause it is cool

I watched this pilot waterskiing Alaskan Style while out at Knik Glacier last year. Thought about it while I was posting the shots from today. This is actually a real technique for landing or taking off from short sandbars.
Crazy to watch though

Mark...

 

[RockDoc]

The pics look amazing.

 

[DSLTOY]

Great pics Mark, looking forward to seeing it up close.

 

[Mark W]

As of tonight, assuming that people who have told me that "the check is in the mail" have actually got it off already, it looks like the Trek is full. It is possible that a couple of folks that we invited may not be able to make it, or that some of the people who are assumed to be mailing money and applications have changed their minds, so we are not officially "calling the game" yet. But that announcement will be made at any time here.


Mark...

 

[matt.mcinnes]

Some how I just don't think the water is going to be as warm

My mobile phone was in my pocket

 

[D'Animal]

Well Mark did recomend bringing and wearing chest waders.

Some how I just don't think the water is going to be as warm

 

[Mark W]

A bit colder yes. But on the upside, no crocs!


A few years back, one of the rivers had come up when we got back to it on the way back to camp. My duaghter, then 14 was driving a stockish 22RS mini on 35s. We crammed her and her friend in an lifted M37 to get across and Darrell drove her truck across for me.
Really freaked some of the Trekkers out when he donned his drysuit and I pulled out the duffle full of recovery gear before he started across. The current turned him sideways and pushed him a bit, but he grabbed traction before the river took charge and managed to claw his way out.

That crossing washed over the hoods of 60s on OME springs and 35s. But it was the speed of the current that was more of a concern, so the heavier rigs had no problems.



Mark...

 

[matt.mcinnes]

A bit colder yes. But on the upside, no crocs!

Mark...

And the down side

 

[PabloCruise]

And the down side

You've got an awesome sense of humor mate!

Who would win a fight between a polar bear and a croc?

 

[PabloCruise]

A bit colder yes. But on the upside, no crocs!


A few years back, one of the rivers had come up when we got back to it on the way back to camp. My duaghter, then 14 was driving a stockish 22RS mini on 35s. We crammed her and her friend in an lifted M37 to get across and Darrell drove her truck across for me.
Really freaked some of the Trekkers out when he donned his drysuit and I pulled out the duffle full of recovery gear before he started across. The current turned him sideways and pushed him a bit, but he grabbed traction before the river took charge and managed to claw his way out.

That crossing washed over the hoods of 60s on OME springs and 35s. But it was the speed of the current that was more of a concern, so the heavier rigs had no problems.



Mark...

C'mon Mark, tell the story about your avatar!!!

 

[Mark W]

Naw, that is an old story told too many times. Besides it is on the net if anyone really wants to read it again

The story of floating another minitruck when I could not climb out of an unexpected hole. At midnight. 15 miles from the road and 15 from camp. Water coming in the windows. My daughter in the jumpseats keeping the pizza high and dry as I climbed out and into the bed to get the rig extracted as soon as it lodged on a high spot. Now that might be worth telling


Mark...

 

[chattfj40]

Mark,

Sorry for the delay in responding, I was celebrating my birthday this past weekend, and didn't get a chance to check the thread.

I snail mailed out the app and check on Monday so you should get it "soonish"

Excited to be making the trip up again...this time I'm flying, and leaving the driving to others!

I'll try and post up some pics from '08 of the AFS (all fawking stuck) sections...there were at least 3 different times I think all rigs were stuck at one point or another. I think Andy has a map of the gps track and I'll see if I can get a jpg of that as well

Todd

Todd