Thanks: 
Likes: Originally Posted by SJ
Maybe out of cell range?
Not even thinking bout the goings on in my tent
Jeff landed at McGrath at 4:20 after being in Rohn this afternoon .No cell or internet service. Lead mushers almost to McGrath so guessing he and Rhonda will be busy watching dog teams come in.
=========
PA-12 fan
....those mushers are really fast - Takotna already and Iditarod in reach -
just as an idea for Jeff....8 miles south of Iditarod is Flat with a big runway area...and lots of stuff to explore and find shelter....see attached fotos of saloon with two pianos and excavator which impressed me most
best weather wishes to all...
jrussl liked this post
Flat Alaska> https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/fi...leReport66.pdf
Amazing history long lost about hard working Alaskans. I was told they had the worst mosquitoes. We did (State F&G) Sheefish studies there in the 1980's via C-185 floats and jet boat.
Gary
We have had an amazing time over the past few days. As some have guessed, we were off the grid since Monday. We had a great stay with Scooter at his cabin on Shell Lake onSunday night and snowmachined down to the Skwentna checkpoint. Then we rode up to the Skwentna Safety Cabin. What a cool historic cabin.
Sent from my iPad using SuperCub.Org mobile app
Mushers coming into Skwentna checkpoint. https://youtu.be/Ebh3Mjoqhio
Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org
More at Skwentna https://youtube.com/shorts/wSEWtyhWxEw?feature=share
Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org mobile app
Some amazing views from AKPT’s cabin in the heart of the Alaska Range.
Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org mobile app
Last edited by jrussl; 03-18-2023 at 06:06 PM.
Another shot of my cub sitting on the South Fork of the Kuskokwim
Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org mobile app
Last edited by jrussl; 03-18-2023 at 06:06 PM.
Lunch in the Nikolai village school gymnasium.
Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org mobile app
Last edited by jrussl; 03-18-2023 at 06:05 PM.
Beware of very small fierce village dogs on the Kuskokwim River. Often accompanied by ladies.
Gary
The winds were predicted to come up big in the mountains later on Wednesday and then continue to blow in the Anchorage area through Friday. As we have a commercial flight back home on Saturday, the conservative thing to do was to head back to Chugiak on Wednesday am. Sure would have liked to follow the race some more but it didn’t pan out that way. Our time on the trail was still awesome. Scooter was a fantastic host at his place on Shell Lake. The stop at Scooters included a fun snow machine ride down to the Skwentna checkpoint to greet the lead mushers. Not only was the checkpoint a fun time, but the ride there and back was also an adventure. Following Scooters, we headed up to Puntilla lake for a fantastic day. Temps in the low 40’s, no wind, and bright sunshine. Even managed to get sunburned. I have lots of pictures on my fancy camera that I will post when I get a moment to edit them. Then we stayed with AKPT at his place on the South Fork of th Kuskokwim south of Hells Gate. An amazing cabin in a very beautiful spot. On Tuesday we headed out to the Rohn, Nikolai, and McGrath checkpoints. Lots more pics to come.
We’ve taken a road trip up to Fairbanks and ate at this great place last night. Felt just like home in Wisconsin at a supper club. Very friendly folks too just like home.
And they have a bit of snow up here in Fairbanks.
Airing up my tires in Talkeetna. I had plenty of power to taxi on the plastics but it most likely would have resulted in a project.
Roughing it in the Alaska range.
Our supervisors at AKPT’s cabin.
Last edited by jrussl; 03-18-2023 at 06:05 PM.
Jeff, many thanks for including us all on your adventure! We are looking forward to your Hump Day presentation...
sj
"Often Mistaken, but Never in Doubt"
------------------------------------------
Kind of hard to beat Scooter for a host/guide. One of the good ones for sure.
Awesome trip Jeff. Thanks so much for posting.
Bill
Very Blessed.
Yep, thanks Jeff for the "tour"!
MTV
The famous Turtle Club! I never got there last year. I’ll have to try harder this year. Very cool adventure you are on.
Sent from my iPad using SuperCub.Org
Ran into fellow dot orger, Dave Calkins, last Saturday at Puntilla Lake.
Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org mobile app
Last edited by jrussl; 03-18-2023 at 06:04 PM.
Another shot from Puntilla Lake last Saturday. Maybe a bit too warm for mushing but not a bad day if you are a spectator. Even managed to get sunburned.
Attachment 65096
We got back home to Madison WI a week ago today from our absolutely fantastic adventure. And it wouldn't have been possible without all the support from this great community. From advice shared on the forum, PM's, texts, and e-mails. To accomodations in houses and remote cabins, this community has again shown incredible generosity to me. Thank you!
Some trip stats..........
Flight time from Middleton WI (C29) to Hilltop (AK24) two miles east of Birchwood - 35 hours
Departed on Friday February 24th at 7:09am CST. 39 minutes later than planned due to a shorted p-lead.
Arrived Hilltop on Thursday March 2nd at 2pm AK time
271.1 gals 100LL burned - Avg cost - $7.28/gal
Three extra nights due to weather delays. One extra night in Fort St John, one in Tok, and one in Gulkana.
Pushed through some scuzzy stuff a few times. Not surprisingly, it was always around some higher terrain or some sort of a pass. And there were often weather cameras stationed just where I found the scuzzy stuff....surprise, surprise......
Other than some really cold temps in Yorkton SK of minus 30f, the first bad weather was some snow showers and lowering ceilings NW of Edmonton, over the Swan Hills. While these hills are not that high, they sure made some weather. And, of course, the locals know all about them.
The second weather spot was on my way from Fort St John to Fort Nelson. A local pilot gave me some great advice to follow the railroad tracks which stay out of the mountains. And what great advice this was as there were snow showers and low ceilings.
The third spot was just west of Watson Lake following the AK highway. And guess what.....there is a weather camera there. Clearly no coincidence. Again some snow showers and reduced vis.
The last two spots our Alaskan friends know all too well. Mentasta Pass and Tahneta Pass. Again, there are weather cameras at both. A trip like this really allows a flatlander to fully appreciate the usefulness of these cameras.
Here are some more pictures from the trip up.
The early morning departure out of Whitehorse was absolutely magical. One of the prettiest mornings I can remember.
Edit......Oops! I see that I already posted these. Well.....I'll post some more to make up for it.
Last edited by jrussl; 03-19-2023 at 11:54 AM.
40m thanked for this post
Jeff, please a review of your "camping kit" when you have time? Glad to see you're home again safely.
Gary
A few more pictures from a fantastic day at the Rainy Pass checkpoint.
Dan Kaduce, A musher from Chippewa Falls WI
Race winner Ryan Reddington departing the Rainy Pass checkpoint.
Great stuff my friend!! Trip of a lifetime!
I spent most of my dough on booze, broads and boats and the rest just wasted ! - Elmore Leonard
Eating lunch and getting a tan at the Rainy Pass checkpoint
Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org mobile app
Glad you’re home safe and sound. Looks like it was a wonderful trip!
Come back up this summer and we’ll head down the Aleutians a bit for something different!
J
Thank you, Jeff, for your trip updates and awesome pictures!
please let me know of any updates I could make to http://Fly2ak.com, whether customs, fuel, accommodations or whatever. Much appreciated!
When is the HDHP presentation?
Ted
"Camping kit"......well, it was more of a kit for unplanned camping. I had indoor accommodations lined up for all of my planned stops but never fully knew if I would get to them due to weather. And there is always the possibility of an emergency which thankfully I didn't have.
I selected my gear from my own experience having done a fair bit of wilderness trips in the past and also from the great advice I have gotten from folks on this site. And frankly, some of what I consider to be my own experience at this point, may have very well been learned here too.
Some things I heard loud and clear from earlier in this thread and other threads.....
Survival gear is what you have on you. Camping gear is in the back of the airplane.
Be prepared to walk out of wherever you end up.
Cotton kills
Watch for overflow on the ice. Wear footwear that is waterproof.
And believe it or not, all of the stuff suggested on this thread wouldn't actually fit in a Super Cub. And a C185 was out of the budget at the moment. So some decisions had to be made about what to bring and what to leave behind. And I am no expert at this stuff but I am learning more with each trip.
My plane is pretty well set up for hauling a bunch of bulky stuff as I have extended lower baggage, turtle deck baggage, and a Firmin pod. I was fully cubed out, especially when Rhonda joined me after I got up to AK.
Tent - Arctic Oven tipi style - generously loaned to me by George Campbell
Snow tent stakes
Sleeping bags x 2 - Wiggy's minus 80 double bags bought prior to the trip
Inflatable sleeping pads x 2
Small Thermarest style pads x 2 - in case non-foam inflatables leaked.....and I have had them leak before resulting in waking up on the hard ground.
Small propane heater for tent including 6-16 oz propane bottles. Heater claims to run for 5.5 hours off one bottle.
I had purchased a small tent sized wood stove but decided against taking it due to size constraints
150' paracord
Jetboil
Two large cannisters of Isobutane
10 freeze dried meals
Tea
Coffee
Trail mix - Costco
Beef jerky
Bottles of water
Carhartt Yukon Extreme jacket and bibs - purchased for trip - Carhartt claims this stuff to be their warmest. Not cotton. I was extremely pleased with this gear and it was very warm.
Inreach Mini 2 communicator
TP
Large old fashioned snowshoes and poles x 2
Pac Boots
Leatherman
Windproof hat (I saw that lots of folks in Canada and AK wear hooded jackets. I am going to get the Carhartt hood that snaps to my jacket)
Smartwool long johns and shirts
Extra layers of fleece bottoms and tops
Gloves and mittens
Heat pack finger and toe warmers.....actually never used them
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Hatchet
Bowls, cups, spoons
Blastmatch
lighter
Propane torch
folding water jug
Avalanche Shovel
Duct tape
First Aid kit
Water filter straw
Camera
Lenses
GoPro
Spare batteries for NC headsets
Contractor size garbage bags
For airplane
Tool bag
Four spark plugs
Assortment of AN hardware
Tire patch kit
Oil filter
4 qts oil
Cowl Cover
Wing Covers - purchased from Kurt at AK wing covers prior to trip
Tail covers - purchased from Kurt at AK wing covers prior to trip
Ice screws x 5
150' of tie down line
Bushwheel bags x 2
Li-Ion jump pack
Two headsets plus extra
Ipad
Iphone
Garmin portable GPS 660
Wham-o Heater
Gallon white gas
Battery air compressor
Iso fuel de-icer - 6 bottles
2" blue painters tape
I think that's about it but I may be missing a few things........
Hope this helps.
Jeff
Last edited by jrussl; 03-19-2023 at 09:40 PM.
Great response Jeff! Nice camping kit...all it needs now is a cabin equipped with a satellite dish on a lake full of fish! Oh, and a battery drill driven ice auger. One thing I found was it made it easier to find stuff if it was packaged in small bags by use. You may have done that. Prevents digging around for things or lacking a safe place to put them as you unload. Also label large bag contents externally especially the first aid materials for quick access.
Gary
Awesome trip and write up Jeff. Thank you
Bill
Very Blessed.
I think the best part about this trip is he was able to take the better half and was not stuck stranded where she was totally uncomfortable!! A long trip like that to have so much work like planned is rare. I think I am going to travel with Jeff now, he has it figured out!
Thank you for the list. You figured out quickly why lots of guys have the cub for fun, and then travel with the sky wagon!
I don't know where you've been me lad, but I see you won first Prize!
Hey folks! Wednesday April 19 at 7pm CDT on the HDHP! Jeff will show some amazing pictures and talk about this adventure! Watch it live or late, right here: https://www.supercub.org/HDHP
"Often Mistaken, but Never in Doubt"
------------------------------------------
will a replay be available for this one? I was looking forward to it but got stuck with going to an Aviation MRO meeting in Atlanta at the last minute.
Hey folks! Wednesday April 19 at 7pm CDT on the HDHP! Jeff will show some amazing pictures and talk about this adventure! Watch it live or late, right here: https://www.supercub.org/HDHP
You bet!
sj
"Often Mistaken, but Never in Doubt"
------------------------------------------
Awesome, thanks Steve.
Jeff, Is there anything you took that could have been left home?
Let me ponder that a bit……… stand by.
Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org mobile app
So I went through my list and split it into things I used on the trip and things I did not use. Then I carefully reviewed the things I did not use to see if any could be eliminated from a future trip. My answer is that I would not eliminate a single thing. Everything in the "not used" portion of the list was related to having to spend a night or more in the Arctic Oven tent. While I never needed to spend a night in the tent, I was glad I had all the stuff to reasonably do so. Traveling by plane in remote areas in the wintertime sure requires a lot of gear.
Hope this helps.
Jeff
Don't forget! This is tonight!
Hey folks! Wednesday April 19 at 7pm CDT on the HDHP! Jeff will show some amazing pictures and talk about this adventure! Watch it live or late, right here: https://www.supercub.org/HDHP
Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk
"Often Mistaken, but Never in Doubt"
------------------------------------------
Great presentation! Thank you Jeff! Here is the link to watch it if you missed it!
https://youtube.com/live/6BwpBdS5J-g
"Often Mistaken, but Never in Doubt"
------------------------------------------
That was very good Jeff. I enjoyed seeing how your planning and friendships made on sc.org, along with mostly cooperative weather all came together to allow you and Rhonda to have a great experience. And your excellent pictures made for a great slide show. What a great trip.
We'll be sure to find you at the RAF booth in a couple of weeks.
Your picture of the Fur Rondy reminded me of some similar pictures I have from 1959.
"Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything." Wyatt Earp
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks