Backpacking Trip to Alaska '01
Organization/information for now, journal entries and pictures later. Perhaps in Boys Life, after that.
You can skip right to:
Itinerary | Responsibilities | Trainer #1 | Equipment Checkout | Trainer #2 | (Private) Links | Troop 31
Useful related links:
BSA Class 3 Medical Form (Keep original, turn in copy to Russ.)
Bob's backpacking page for Venture Crew 83 including Backpacking checklist and further links.
Wednesday 20 June 2001
State College (SCE) to Anchorage, AK.
930 - 1000 PM Arrive in Anchorage (Weather in Anchorage).
Collect luggage and go to lodging (University of Alaska dormitories).
Steven and Russ will be at the airport (having arrived two days earlier).
Thursday 21 June
Spend day getting supplies, picking up our 15-passenger van, sightseeing around Anchorage. Visiting Portage Glacier area. Setting up camp at a state campsite near the small town of Hope (75 miles, Weather in Hope).
Buy at least breakfast and lunch.
Friday 22 June
Cook breakfast
830 AM Leave campsite for Seward (125 miles, 2.75 hrs, Weather in Seward).
1200 noon Boat leaves for Fox Island.
1200 noon - 930 PM After lunch (provided), we will spend some time training for kayaking, then spend 3 hours paddling around Fox Island’s coves and Resurrection Bay. After kayaking, we will have dinner on the island (provided), then take a wildlife cruise around the bay and back to Seward.
930 PM Either return to Hope or Girdwood, or camp near Seward.
Saturday 23 June
AM Cook breakfast.
Travel to Crow Creek trailhead (80 miles, 1.75 hrs) at Girdwood.
(Possibly pan for gold at Crow Creek Mine.)
Park van and set out on Iditarod trail. (The van rental company will come and get the van and take it to our destination at the Eagle River Nature Center.)
Lunch and dinner on the trail.
Camp along the trail.
Sunday 24 June
Breakfast and lunch on the trail.
Arrive at Nature Center.
Pick up van and head towards Denali Naitonal Park.
Depending on the schedule, we likely will camp in Talkeetna (114 miles, 2.5 hrs, Weather in Talkeetna).
(Visit the laundromat and showers?)
Monday 25 June
Buy breakfast, pack or buy lunch on road. Drive from Talkeetna to Denali National Park entrance (165 miles, 3.3 hrs).
230 PM Catch Camper Bus at Denali National Park visitor’s center.
800 PM Arrive at Wonder Lake campground. Set up camp. This is an improved campsite; we have a total of 4 sites (2 tents per site). This is the closest campground to Mt. McKinley (30 miles from base).
Cook dinner at camp.
Tuesday 26 June
Spend day hiking and exploring area.
Cook breakfast.
Lunch and maybe dinner on the trail.
Wednesday 27 June
Cook breakfast.
Pack lunch to eat on bus.
1200 noon Catch camper bus to leave the park.
600 PM Pack van to leave for Fairbanks. Buy dinner at park entrance?
900 PM Arrive in Fairbanks (199 miles, 2.5 hrs, Weather in Fairbanks).
Thursday 28 June
Breakfast at Denny’s.
700 AM Flight check-in.
800 AM Fly to Anaktuvuk Pass (above the arctic circle, Weather in Anaktuvuk Pass).
915 AM Arrive Anaktuvuk Pass.
Spend day touring village and possible hiking in area.
Backpacker magazine article on Anaktuvuk Pass. National Park Service information on Anaktuvuk Pass.
Very important information on visiting Anaktuvuk Pass from the National Park Service.
Camp overnight.
Cook lunch and dinner.
Friday 29 June
Cook breakfast.
1030 AM Fly from Anaktuvuk Pass to Fairbanks
1145 AM Arrive in Fairbanks (Weather in Fairbanks).
Cook or buy lunch.
Visit Gold Dredge No. 8 and other local sights.
600 PM Salmon bake at Alaskaland.
900 PM Catch show at Malemute Saloon.
Spend night camping in Ester.
Saturday 30 June
Cook breakfast.
900 AM Leave Fairbanks; activities to be determined.
446 mile, 11.5 hour drive to McCarthy.
Visit pipeline pumping station en route if time.
Eat lunch and dinner en route.
9 PM Arrive in McCarthy.
Camp at St. Elias Alpine Guides headquarters. Backpacker magazine article on St. Elias.
Sunday 1 July
Cook breakfast.
Pack lunch.
All-day ice-climbing training.
Camp at base of glacier.
Cook dinner.
Monday 2 July
Cook breakfast.
AM Explore some trails.
Cook lunch.
Go to Kennecott.
PM Guided tour of mine buildings.
Have pizza at pizza shop in McCarthy.
Camp in McCarthy again.
Tuesday 3 July
Cook breakfast.
900 AM Leave McCarthy. Head back to Anchorage- 317 mile, 7.5 hour drive; sightsee along way.
Cook or buy lunch.
Buy dinner.
Last minute souvenir shopping.
Return to University of Alaska dorms.
Wednesday 4 July
7-900 AM Flights leave Anchorage for State College.
Bear cans (all)
First aid kits (all)
Coverage for purchased meals (~$100)
Journals & pencils/pens: John, Kurt, Steve, & Walter
Waterproof, tight, insulated gloves for ice climbing (all)
Tents: Weiss, Weiss, Weiss, Dunn? (bring others to trainer #2 to compare)
Stoves & gas bottles: Weiss, Rossman (purchase gas bottles in Anchorage to avoid flying with them)
Water purifier: Rossman, Weiss
Topo maps: Rossman, Weiss
Compass: Rossman
GPS: Weiss, Rosenberger?
Journals: John, Kurt, Steve, Walter
Cameras: Jim, Paul
Campsuds: John
Large pot: Phil
Small pot: Russ
Coffee & filter: Paul
Purple Lizard Trail map (trainer #1): Gardner
Friday:
600 PM Depart from Westerley Plaza
Light hike to Lookout tower. (in heavy rain!)
Dinner, discuss trip, cracker barrel.
Saturday:
Breakfast
Hike on Mid-state trail, including lunch.
500 PM Return
Responsibilities for planning and purchasing meals:
Dinner, cracker barrel: Walter
Breakfast, lunch: Steve
Driving: Weiss, Rossman
will be available on a password protected basis.
Last updated: 7 June 2001
psw