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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
Mark W,
Could you send me an info packet? You might have to make it smaller again like the 2008 info packet you sent. When are you at your shop? I have dropped by a few times but nobody was home.
Stephan
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.
For this run, either where we want to spend out time or our fall back area, the IFS will be fine. Over some of the rougher sections it may beat you a bit more but those are not a major part of the Trek. We have had IFS rigs with us before and I am sure we will again.
Mark W,
Could you send me an info packet? You might have to make it smaller again like the 2008 info packet you sent. When are you at your shop? I have dropped by a few times but nobody was home.
Stephan
I am at the shop all the time. except when I am not
Might be there all day on any given day, might be there all night too... Or I might be working elsewhere, running for parts, looking at a rig in Anchorage or out on a trail. Just give a call before you head my way to be sure.
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.
I need what is call a carney which is basically a complete list of everything I bring, so you can prove you have taken it all out so not to incur any taxes. Along with Valid Rego doc from Vic roads as we don't have what you call a title, which I know all too much about form shipping HJ47 and BJ42 from Oz to the USA. Insurance a must too. Hence I'm not too interested in shipping a few bits with me as it will just create a head ache. Also have ambulance cover which covers me for been air lifted too.
That way no taxes to pay, already on to it but Tks.
Is that the insurance coverage to actually fly you home in the event of an accident? I know a few guys who work in the russian far east who have insurance like that.... just because the medical care there is scary.
Our medivacs here are usually done by the Air National Guard in the types of places we will be in if we need to call for help. No charge for that service normally.
I moved to Alaska 10 yrs. ago pretty much to participate in cruiser-wheelin' up here. Somebody mentioned it's a "bucket list" kinda trip and I'd have to agree. Heck, my wife births our kids on odd-year summers so I'm free to take off for a week during even-year ACT events
Someone else mentioned water intrusion into rigs. I think all the water crossings are a highlight of wheelin' in Alaska and learning how to do them just adds to your repertoire of 4wheelin' skills, especially for you guys that like to travel all over the country and off-road in all sorts of diverse terrain.
Water intrusion into rigs during crossings not-gone-wrong seems to be a function of the age of the rig. Old 40's means lots-o-water unless you spend extra time sealing it up. 80's stay pretty darn dry inside. After ACT08 and hundreds of crossings, the carpet on my 80 was wet about 4" inside all of the door seals. A week later it was dry.
Mark has said it before. It's the people just as much as the Alaska surroundings that make an event like this so enjoyable. You could also call this trip, "24/7 on the trail". 24 hrs./day for a week with just 20 something folks makes for an intimate experience.
Hey Darrell!! I should be putting out some info on our local list this evening. Keeping my fingers crossed for nominal rains in 2010... really want to get back out to Glacier 13. Looking at exploring the Robertson River drainage too.
She is a wise girl indeed. 
