Alcan 2012

Honestly, roads have not been incredibly icy. That picture is somewhat deceiving, it's mostly hard-pack snow. Yes, there have been some icy sections of road; most of them have been in areas of intense sunlight, where melt has refrozen.

Do a few "stop tests" each day, to see what would happen if an emergency "stop" was required. Overall stopping distance is comparable to my A/Ts that I ran on the way up. Bear in mind that this is in a loaded truck, with maximum speeds of 65 mph.

If I drove in snow/ice conditions continuously throughout the year, I'd invest in dedicated winter tires.
Seriously...don't want to jinx myself, though.

 

Good to know. I guess im also misjudging the highways up there. My guess is they're probably pretty straight for the most part? Around here 90% of the highways are very windy and curvy. So its very dangerous to run AT or MT's during winter.

Safe travels!

 

For sure, yeah if this road was windy/curvy I'd be running Blizzaks or comparable. Most sections of the YT & upper BC are pretty much straight shots. Like I said, though - I slow down when conditions warrant.

Did a little bit of research, and it seems like mixed opinions on how the KM2s perform in snow/ice. Siping the center lugs only seems to be a common practice on them.

Thanks for the well wishes,
jake

 

duratracs with studs......

 

In 100 Mile BC. Ho-lee-chit what a day. All OK, update in the am.

 

subd

 

What you've all (I hope) been waiting for...

I'll write some words in a bit.

Watson Lake, YT to Dawson Creek, BC

 

100 Mile BC, to Bellingham, Wash (USA!)

 

God, I love this thread.

 

ur missing the snow storm we are having today!!

 

Beautiful shots jake! Well done. I need to do this drive again just as an excuse to take pictures.

 

Nice work Jake!

Have a beer at Boundary Bay or a burrito at Casa Que Pasa - two awesome places in Bellingham.

 

Sub'd, Awesome pictures. Makes me want to do this trip again, damn it!

Done the Alcan in summer of 09'. Looked way different

I rememebr only 30 miles or so of gravel just before US border. Rest was paved.

 

In Seattle!!!

Going to catch my breath, then I'll throw up some pictures and an update...

Thanks for staying tuned!

 

glad you made it safe bud!

 

Made it to Seattle; so I suppose that this will conclude the “Alcan 2012” thread!


Overall, it was a great trip: (relatively) good weather conditions. Great bonding time between my Dad and I – although, the fact that he has vertigo made some of the steep mountain passes somewhat challenging. Well, the fact that I occasionally edged a little closer to the edge while going “whoa, whoa”, may not have helped matters...I'm know – dick move...


Truck performed as expected. Flawlessly. Especially considering that I was carrying about 800 pounds worth of cargo in the rear. In a truck with stock 4.11s and 255s. Came out to find a dribble of anti-freeze on the pavement one morning in Dawson Creek; immediately entered the dreaded “Oh Shit Fix-It” mode. Traced the leak to the block heater that installed in the freeze plug: combination of the block being extremely cold in the -20 temperature (shrinking) and a loose retainer screw on the block heater led to the leak. Tightened everything up, added some anti-freeze – good to go.


Picked up a new battery in Anchorage – Deka deep cylce AGM. Basically a DieHard Platinum.


Can't say enough good things about the driving lights that I threw on the front of my ARB. Yes, they're “Kragens”. Yes, they aren't Lightforces. Yes, they throw a massive amount of light. The trip would have sucked without them. Anyone planning on this trip in the winter months should seriously budget for a set of driving lights. It's a safety issue.


Be forewarned; this is going to start to sound like the “Expedition Overland Bros”...


To everyone who has said this trip is on your bucket list: make this trip happen! The immense beauty, desolation and serenity (well, with maybe a few changes of underwear, too) is truly a life-altering experience. Seriously. To put it all on the line – depending on a vehicle to travel through some of the worlds most foreboding weather conditions, climate and terrain. It's a humbling feeling. It seems as though the immensity of a trip like this takes a little while to set in.


Found some awesome country up in BC, around 100 Mile House. Really, really want to plan a second trip up the area to do some further exploration. Some kind of an overland-type excursion would be epic.


Possible TW trip?


In conclusion, thanks for following yet another Alcan thread. I've enjoyed reading your comments and word of encouragement. If anyone has questions/comments, fire away!


Now it's time to start pecking away at my wishlist:


Sliders
Winch
Rear Swing Out/Tire Carrier
Regear/ARB front and back...


Standing by,


Jake

 

Thanks!

I'll be back in Feb...

I say you meet me down in BC sometime this Summer...

TW Meet in BC Summer 2013!

 

I'm in! WE're planning a few trips but I'd love to do an ALCAN meetup trip.

 

ill have some liquid sunshine waiting for ya