| [GMCnet] Unexpected Alaska trip finding [message #301992] |
Fri, 10 June 2016 23:36  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 10
|
Senior Member |
|
|
One thing we did not expect to find is how low in elevation the roads are in Alaska. We are used to snow covered mountains all around in the Rockies where the roads are in the 6000 to 10000 foot range. Here in Alaska snow covered mountains all around are traversed on roads that are from sea level to 2000 feet. In fact, the highest mountain pass we have yet encountered has been 3100 feet high, barely a blip for a GMC.
So, our perspectives are altered both by these low roads and by the absence of darkness. This time of year it stays light until close to midnight and becomes light again just a few hours later. Room darkening shades are a must if you want to get any real sleep.
The other finding, more expected, is the vastness of the place. The roads and towns only access a fraction of what is Alaska. Everywhere you look you see mountain ranges only to discover there is no way to see what is beyond them except by air. Very quickly you realize that what you can see by road or by ship is but a fly speck of what is here. Add to that the constantly changing weather patterns and it is a most interesting journey indeed. Much fun and highly recommended for you all.
Sharon is going to do a seminar at the five club rally in Coos Bay, OR, in October entitled, "Do Alaska on your own - it is easy". And it truly is easy to do this on your own. Travel with a friend or two if you wish, but don't run like an elephant parade. Just set some broad parameters of where you will plan to meet up again each night and go your own way. No need for reservations so far for us. We just go where and when we wish and always find good accommodations without reservations. Y'all come!
Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed & hand crafted
in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building
in historic Kerby, OR
http://jerrywork.com
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Unexpected Alaska trip finding [message #301995 is a reply to message #301992] |
Sat, 11 June 2016 01:45  |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I have flown that several times and I I do not think I ever exceeded 5000 feet. I have never flown into Juneau from Whitehorse but If I remember correctly it would have required me to go to 11,000 briefly over the hump.
Fairbanks is around 400 feet, Northway around 1700. Denali park air strip was less than 2000. If you go up thee Oil pipeline road (the Dalton) Attigan pass is somewhere around 4800. Even the Klondike highway to Skagway is under 4000.
I am trying to remember the pass elevation going to Valdez. I believe Thompson pass was was only around 2700.
There are still a lot of high mountains in the various areas. They just do not build roads on them.
Enjoy your trip. I wish I was there.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Unexpected Alaska trip finding [message #302047 is a reply to message #301992] |
Sun, 12 June 2016 10:44 |
bdub
Messages: 1578
Registered: February 2004
Location: Central Texas
Karma: 5
|
Senior Member |
|
|
These folks are doing a good job of documenting their trip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_ilVpymK4U&list=TLMsBVjrl_UJkxMjA2MjAxNg
bdub
On Fri, Jun 10, 2016 at 11:36 PM, Gerald Work wrote:
> One thing we did not expect to find is how low in elevation the roads are
> in Alaska. We are used to snow covered mountains all around in the Rockies
> where the roads are in the 6000 to 10000 foot range. Here in Alaska snow
> covered mountains all around are traversed on roads that are from sea level
> to 2000 feet. In fact, the highest mountain pass we have yet encountered
> has been 3100 feet high, barely a blip for a GMC.
>
> So, our perspectives are altered both by these low roads and by the
> absence of darkness. This time of year it stays light until close to
> midnight and becomes light again just a few hours later. Room darkening
> shades are a must if you want to get any real sleep.
>
> The other finding, more expected, is the vastness of the place. The roads
> and towns only access a fraction of what is Alaska. Everywhere you look
> you see mountain ranges only to discover there is no way to see what is
> beyond them except by air. Very quickly you realize that what you can see
> by road or by ship is but a fly speck of what is here. Add to that the
> constantly changing weather patterns and it is a most interesting journey
> indeed. Much fun and highly recommended for you all.
>
> Sharon is going to do a seminar at the five club rally in Coos Bay, OR, in
> October entitled, "Do Alaska on your own - it is easy". And it truly is
> easy to do this on your own. Travel with a friend or two if you wish, but
> don't run like an elephant parade. Just set some broad parameters of where
> you will plan to meet up again each night and go your own way. No need for
> reservations so far for us. We just go where and when we wish and always
> find good accommodations without reservations. Y'all come!
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
bdub
'76 Palm Beach/Central Texas
www.bdub.net
www.gmcmhphotos.com
www.gmcmotorhomemarketplace.com
www.gmcmhregistry.com
www.facebook.com/groups/classicgmcmotorhomes
www.facebook.com/groups/gmcmm
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
