Kodiak to Arctic Circle to Houston via Continental Divide/ALCAN - solo

[hashpie]

So I left Kodiak last night in my pick up truck and I think I'm gonna drive as far north as I can and hopefully avoid as much of the dog days back home in Houston as I can.

Sitting in Anchorage right now gearing up and getting my truck ready, then a few days in Denali before the Arctic Circle. I'll try to update as possible and provide some pics, but I'm terrible at remembering and I have horrid service and internet access.

 

[zzz150]

have fun living out of your pickup, i've been doing that for the past 5 weeks now, it's not perfect but isn't bad either!

 

[hashpie]

haha, i've done it before, i'm just now getting around to posting to expo portal. i normally reside in the tacomaworld realm, but i think this site will be a bit more beneficial for this type of travel versus just the everyday meetup.

here's the link to my other profile, and i still have to upload the pics from our west texas camping trip in december. haha

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/travel/298522-wandering-wondering-my-little-road-trip-21.html#post9064164

 

[zzz150]

i once frequented tacomaworld but when looking for a new truck ford seemed to give more for less. so far with the 2inch fox lift and 33's it has done what i need it to do on this trip. i miss having a tacoma and all the endless goodness on tacomaworld.

 

[Ozarker]

Welcome Hashpie, we love pics and documented travels! What's the route? I'd like to make that trip in 2 years.

 

[hashpie]

Thanks! I'm trying to force myself to slow down and take pics and whatnot. My trip up here I did a little worse than I though I did and I'm trying to rectify that.

As far as the route, I'll have to find the picture i have showing the actual route, but it goes from Kalispell, MT to Columbus, NM through MT, ID, WY, CO, and NM. I'm sure there is a route all the way from NWT, but I'm "officially" starting in MT. I know last year Overland Journal did a piece on it about two guys on motorcycles which is where I found it.

 

[hashpie]

Yeah, i miss my ford (sometimes) but tacos have definitely taken their place. And TW is definitely sometimes too good a diversion.

 

[Quest4ADV]

Very cool. I'll be following closely. Will be up there two weeks from today so I'll be looking for suggestions and warnings

Have a great time!

 

[hashpie]

Which part?

 

[Quest4ADV]

Which part?

Flying into ANC and in a rented RV driving up to Denali, Fairbanks, Arctic Circle and back.

 

[hashpie]

I'll find some of the forums I researched for you when I get to Fairbanks. Keep in mind Dalton hwy is all haul roads. Most people who took rvs had a miserable experience and some companies don't allow it because the damage from rocks. But it can be done 25mph at a time.

 

[Quest4ADV]

Yeah, I had heard about it. Probably going to take my Brother's truck up to the AC. He lives in Fairbanks!

Thanks!

 

[hashpie]

Alright then. Made it to Denali late yesterday afternoon and as expected the national park was booked so I opted for one of the campgrounds nearby. It rained all afternnon so i sat under the provided cover and smoked a cigar and drank sone of my kodiak Island brewing beer. If you are willing to drive about 30 miles out of the way on hwy 8 (Denali hwy) camping is free for the most part and the scenery is much better. Lots of hunters and b&bs. I'm currently sitting at panorama pizza pub. I HIGHLY recommend it. Good pizza good beer and the scenery ain't bad Inside either.

 

[Quest4ADV]

Cool, thanks for sharing the pics!

 

[zzz150]

Yeah, i miss my ford (sometimes) but tacos have definitely taken their place. And TW is definitely sometimes too good a diversion.

my taco was a reg cab 4 cyl with the pathetic bench seat, kinda like the rear seat in the 4dr model, fine for the back but not fine for the driver paying the bills! off road it killed the ford, but on the road i love the extra 200hp and comfort, sleeping in the back of the ford is way better also with the extra 6inches of bed length.