Back From Alaska! - Montana Owners Club

capn chris · 09-15-2005, 06:14 AM

We made it! After 3 months in our Montana and almost 15,000 miles, we're back to the muggy weather in MD. I forgot what shorts were til we hit the lower 48. We traveled w/5th wheelin' friends throughout BC, AK, YT, and AB. Other than a few nails in my TV tire, no problems!
What an adventure. Had ice on the rig twice in August (Dawson Creek and Banff). Have lots of Homer halibut in the freezer and a ton of pictures. I did see the ultimate Montana TV in Denali...a white PU from Ontario w/Montana graphics on it to match the RV!!!
Steve was right about F250 SD 6L diesel and mountains. Worked great! We also love RV campgrounds w/Wi-Fi!!! Helped us stay in touch w/family and pay the bills. Quite a first time adventure.

DarMar · 09-15-2005, 10:21 AM

Glad you enjoyed the trip of a lifetime and those graphics on the white pick up sound interesting. Maybe that is why so many people are buying white trucks these days!!!

jrgwdenner · 09-15-2005, 03:59 PM

Welcome home! Glad you had a safe trip. We can relate to your excitement as we just reentered the United States today after our two month trip to Alaska. I wish everyone had a chance to do this great trip. The freezer is a great idea as it is so expensive to send that delicious fish home.

We really enjoyed being connected with WiFi, too. It's makes the trip a lot easier emotionally as it is a long time to be away from family and friends. Too bad you're not coming to the Rally. We could share adventures.

Montana_4507 · 09-16-2005, 08:33 AM

We did Alaska the first time in the summer of 2002 - the experience was so wonderful that we wanted to go back, so we got a work camping job through Workamper News and spent the summer of 2004 in Skagway working for a lodge - got full hookups plus $7.50 an hour for each of us and $1.00 for every hour worked as a season end bonus to travel home. That's the way we were able to finance the diesel for that trip. I noticed in the latest Workamper News that one of the suggestions to employers was to pay for travel expenses as part of the hiring package. That may be a way for some to afford to go. We love it there and want to go back yet a third time. John and Pat Goetz

Just148 · 09-16-2005, 12:06 PM

Well Welcome Home, your journey will be with you for time to come. Looking forward to seeing some of the pic's from the trip.

DCP · 09-19-2005, 07:41 AM

Please comment on the road conditions as we have heard different accounts as to how they are. We are going next July.

jrgwdenner · 09-19-2005, 10:36 AM

The roads vary from great to awful. This year they were doing heavy construction around Kluane Lake on our drive north. It was dry and seemed a lot better when we drove home. Around Coal River in the Yukon, a very remote area, it was very bumpy and we were exhausted at the end of the day. We drove south on the Cassiar Highway and expected to find bumpy roads. We weren't disappointed. Glen said that on at least half of the trip we were not able to drive up to speed (55 mph). Many times we had to drive 30-35 mph to be safe. The big bumps and frost heaves are usually marked. We always had some smart remark when they had signs about bumpy roads for the next 3-10 kilometers. What had we just driven on???? The important thing is to just expect the bumps and drive slow. The road conditions shouldn't discourage anyone from making the trip. Just don't expect 500 mile days. One day we stopped after 150 miles because we were exhausted from the continuous bumps. We were thankful that we had a TrailAir hitch installed before we left the U.S. as we feel it saved wear and tear on us and the fifth wheel.

capn chris · 09-20-2005, 09:11 AM

I agree w/Judy's assessment re. roads. Expect an adventure because it is. Drove Cassiar Hwy. (Rt. 37) north and it's 40% gravel. Steep downgrade (8% on gravel) south of Dease Lake is followed by sharp 20 mph turn across a bridge! Ran into serious re-construction etc. along Kluane Lake and around Haines Jct. when we came south. Worst road surface was Tok Cutoff coming up from Valdez. 10 mph and lots of weaving to avoid potholes. Take your time and you're OK, but like Judy said, slow down if there are gravel or bump signs...they aren't kidding! If it rains, and it does, the rig is muddy. If it's dry, dust everywhere. Part of the adventure?!
"Top of the World Hwy" (Dawson City to Chicken, AK) is a matter of choice and RVer comfort. Talked to many people who did it and said never again. Going east to west the US portion is all steep gravel, windy, w/dropoffs on passenger side! 10 mph at best. We skipped it and drove up on a day trip from Dawson City to the top. Others loved Chicken! West to east might be better route.

sreigle · 09-20-2005, 01:35 PM

Wow, and I thought we put on a lot of miles! Welcome back!

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