I know I may live to regret this, but it has to be done. ... I have the go-ahead from all the important sponsors (namely my wife and my boss) to do a significant outing and plan a ride back to Alaska.
Tentative at this time:
Rally point: Spokane, WA.
Assembly: Thursday, 19 JUN, 2014
Tech and prep: Thursday/Friday.
Depart: Sat. 6/21/14
Return: Wed. 7/2/14
Route: Spokane ./. Icefields Parkway .. Jasper ./. ALCAN .. Fairbanks ./. Dalton Prudhoe Bay... Return via Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage/Seward, Haines then Inland passage Ferry ~or~ Dease Lake Road to Bellingham, WA.
Mileages: Spokane to Fairbanks: 2,286 Mi.
Fairbanks to Deadhorse: 501 Mi.
Deadhorse to Anchorage: 857 Mi.
Anchorage to Bellingham: 2179 Mi.
Approx. 5,823 mapped miles plus side trips.
At a 350 Mi./day pace that is just short of 18 days of riding.
I have planned most of this route before, but on a KLR which is a little longer-legged. Still, there should be ample fuel stops except for the Coldfoot-to-Prudhoe Bay leg which is 240 Mi.
Last trip had some big mileage days to make up for a mechanical delay. Not having dark at night is tougher than you'd think
Goal would be to cross the Arctic Circle and get a Polar Bear Club certificate for a splash in the Arctic Ocean. This is as far north in the US that you can get on a road.
There will be motel/campgropund mix along the way.
+++ I am excited by the prospect of another huge adventure to the Northern Slope. There's just nothing like it. +++
Lots of time to plan, but I'm starting now ... because I know how I procrastinate.
Tentative at this time:
Rally point: Spokane, WA.
Assembly: Thursday, 19 JUN, 2014
Tech and prep: Thursday/Friday.
Depart: Sat. 6/21/14
Return: Wed. 7/2/14
Route: Spokane ./. Icefields Parkway .. Jasper ./. ALCAN .. Fairbanks ./. Dalton Prudhoe Bay... Return via Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage/Seward, Haines then Inland passage Ferry ~or~ Dease Lake Road to Bellingham, WA.
Mileages: Spokane to Fairbanks: 2,286 Mi.
Fairbanks to Deadhorse: 501 Mi.
Deadhorse to Anchorage: 857 Mi.
Anchorage to Bellingham: 2179 Mi.
Approx. 5,823 mapped miles plus side trips.
At a 350 Mi./day pace that is just short of 18 days of riding.
I have planned most of this route before, but on a KLR which is a little longer-legged. Still, there should be ample fuel stops except for the Coldfoot-to-Prudhoe Bay leg which is 240 Mi.
Last trip had some big mileage days to make up for a mechanical delay. Not having dark at night is tougher than you'd think
Goal would be to cross the Arctic Circle and get a Polar Bear Club certificate for a splash in the Arctic Ocean. This is as far north in the US that you can get on a road.
There will be motel/campgropund mix along the way.
+++ I am excited by the prospect of another huge adventure to the Northern Slope. There's just nothing like it. +++
Lots of time to plan, but I'm starting now ... because I know how I procrastinate.