Contact our designated travel agency:
Richard Cummings at US Travel at: 1-800 662 6449, or write to Richard at 609 2nd Ave. Fairbanks, AK 99701.
Weather here ranges from the 70's (and sometimes) 80's in the interior (Fairbanks area) to the 60s'' along the coast (Valdez). Weather in the mountains can be from hot to in the 50s'' during the summer months. A midrange sleeping bag should work just fine. Rain is rare during the summers in the interior to frequent along the coast. A good two piece rain suit is recommended.
Most of the fish in the rivers are migratory. That means that they may be plentify at certain times of the year and non existant at others. The same is mostly true for ocean fishing. We will be at several places where fishing should be good. From high country lakes (lake trout and rainbow trout) to salmon runs in some of the rivers and along the coast. Time for fishing will be somewhat limited as our tour will be covering a lot of territory during our 7-day tour.
Here is a list of some suggested items: Traveling light is recommended, as there will be an opportunity to wash clothes during our trip. Note that there is nowhere in Alaska (as far as we know) where jeans are not the customary wear.
| 1. camera/film | 7. sleeping bag | 13. toilet kit |
| 2. camp sneakers | 8. light hiking boots | 14. note pad/pen |
| 3. three sets of clothes | 9. rain gear | 15. bug dope |
| 4. fishing gear | 10. more film | 16. bandana |
| 5. sunglasses | 11. binoculars | 17. good book(s) |
| 6. small backpack | 12. attitude | 18. personal meds. etc. |
Each client will be furnished their own 3-person dome tent. This will allow for plenty of privacy, place to store personal gear, etc. There will be a large dome tent where we will meet for class, eat, hang-out etc. (rain can happen). Clients will be ex-expected to be responsible for pitching their own tent, and helping as needed with other light camp tasks. Sleeping pads will be furnished.
6. Is a tour through Denali National Park included in this trip?
YES! This is somewhat dependent on availability, but the tour should be an 8-12 hour bus trip through the park.
1. Will there be daylight all the time during out trip? YES (no extra charge!)
2. What are people like in Alaska? Mostly like other people, but because of the constant daylight many Alaskans are in a general upbeat, outgoing, friendly, slightly manic state most of the time during the summer. Remember that most people you will meet who now live in Alaska, came here from somewhere else, because they wanted to live in Alaska (this includes all three of your hosts). In addition you are likely to meet many Alaska Native people during our trip.
3. What services can be found along the highway system? Not very many. Gas, campgrounds, etc. and these are far apart. Many of them are open only seasonally (remember that our winters are 6 months long) and it is hard to make a business succeed full time outside of major population centers. Bottom line is that we will not see large groups of people except around Valdez and Denali National Park and that's good!
4. Are mosquitoes a problem? Not usually but sometimes. Being mobile we can pick locations where they are infrequent. But yes, you will get a few mosquito bites along the way...after all they ARE our STATE BIRD!
5. How about dangerous animals? Most any animal can be dangerous. More people are injured by dog bite than bear attack. We loose 5-6 people a year from dangerous animals.
6. What if I want to bring my spouse, older child, significant other,
etc. along?
That's fine (and encouraged). The medical topics are such that a lay person
would not find them to technical. We planned it that way.
7 . What books should I read before coming to Alaska?
a. Alaska Mile-Post
b. Books by Patrick McMannis
c. Wilderness Emergency Care (from the National Ski Patrol)
d. A Woman's Guide to Alaska Men
e. Alaska Almanac
8. What are men like in Alaska? Strange
9. What are women like in Alaska? Even stranger
10. Should I read the Dilbert Manager's Guidebook before the trip?
Wouldn't hurt.
