GypsyRoots
Expert
I thought I'd share this with you guys...
I have some time off and I have decided to go on a trip.
As most of you know I have had some cold weather issues, but I am going to trust Yamaha's fix and Venture out into the Alaskan wilderness for 10 days.
When: I am packing and loading maps onto my GPS as I write this. I will probably depart tomorrow (02/21/07) after stopping by the dealer o pick up some extra parts.
Frome Where: My starting point will be Bethel Alaska, in Southwest Alaska's Kuskokwim Delta, where I reside.
To Where: Up the Kuskokwim River, but here is where it gets a little trycky. I own property at the base of the Alaska Range, and I will be attempting to get there. I am leaving here with full knowledge that I have a 15% chance of success, even if the Black Lite performs flawlessly.
Wickedly fast changing weather will dictate where I will end up. I will follow the cold.
How Far: From Bethel to my property, via McGrath to avoid hazardous conditions, totals approximately 750 miles one way.
Variables: As mentioned, the Weather will pretty much dictate how far and which direction I will end up. I will run from warm air, in search of the cold. Being the end of February, Alaska is more susceptible to warm fronts from the South, which could mean snow, but it could also bring a mid-Winter thaw-out. I will go where the cold will hold the existing snow, and hopefully get some unexpected snow. It's just too risky to go after warm air, fast moving creeks get too thin to safely cross, and you can't really build a good ice bridge. Ultimately, snow cover and mechanical performance of the sled will be my gides.
List of Possible Destinations:
Upper Big River Valley, Moonshine Lodge. (my property, lodge yet to be built) and back to Bethel. 1300 to 1600 miles RT, estimated.
Rohn Roadhouse, Upper South Fork of the Kuskowim River, near Rainny Pass in the Alaska Range, and on to Anchorage. 850 miles on the ODO one way, on last year's trip.
Fairbanks Alaska. 1000 to 1300 miles one way, estimated.
Nome Alaska, Finish Line for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. 1300 to 1500 miles one way, estimated.
Why: Because I love Alaska and enjoy being outdoors in the Arctic Winter. Plus I have a sno-go just begging me for some miles on the ODO...
Gear List: This is not a complete list of everything I am taking, just the basics in no particular order.
rope - shovel - saw - ax - knives - parachute cord - duct tape - 0.040 wire - adequate tool kit & Service Manual - 3 feet of radiator hose & clamps - fire starters - 2 weeks of food - water - motor & chaincase oil - hyfax - belts - idler wheels - 18 gallon fuel tank - extra battery - flashlights - 5 MP camera - Ipod - GPS - chemical hand warmers - Full Arctic Clothing & Bunny Boots - Wiggy's Antarctic Sleeping Bag - Therma-Rest - Cooking Utensils & stove - Blocks (pulleys) from my sailboat - dry bags - flares - kite - note book & pencil - 12 gage shotgun named Bessie & ammo - Body & Soul
Follow my weather here:
http://www.arh.noaa.gov/wmofcst.php?wmo ... ype=public
See you when I get back...
My property - N 61*56.410' BY W 154*35.297'
I have some time off and I have decided to go on a trip.
As most of you know I have had some cold weather issues, but I am going to trust Yamaha's fix and Venture out into the Alaskan wilderness for 10 days.
When: I am packing and loading maps onto my GPS as I write this. I will probably depart tomorrow (02/21/07) after stopping by the dealer o pick up some extra parts.
Frome Where: My starting point will be Bethel Alaska, in Southwest Alaska's Kuskokwim Delta, where I reside.
To Where: Up the Kuskokwim River, but here is where it gets a little trycky. I own property at the base of the Alaska Range, and I will be attempting to get there. I am leaving here with full knowledge that I have a 15% chance of success, even if the Black Lite performs flawlessly.
Wickedly fast changing weather will dictate where I will end up. I will follow the cold.
How Far: From Bethel to my property, via McGrath to avoid hazardous conditions, totals approximately 750 miles one way.
Variables: As mentioned, the Weather will pretty much dictate how far and which direction I will end up. I will run from warm air, in search of the cold. Being the end of February, Alaska is more susceptible to warm fronts from the South, which could mean snow, but it could also bring a mid-Winter thaw-out. I will go where the cold will hold the existing snow, and hopefully get some unexpected snow. It's just too risky to go after warm air, fast moving creeks get too thin to safely cross, and you can't really build a good ice bridge. Ultimately, snow cover and mechanical performance of the sled will be my gides.
List of Possible Destinations:
Upper Big River Valley, Moonshine Lodge. (my property, lodge yet to be built) and back to Bethel. 1300 to 1600 miles RT, estimated.
Rohn Roadhouse, Upper South Fork of the Kuskowim River, near Rainny Pass in the Alaska Range, and on to Anchorage. 850 miles on the ODO one way, on last year's trip.
Fairbanks Alaska. 1000 to 1300 miles one way, estimated.
Nome Alaska, Finish Line for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. 1300 to 1500 miles one way, estimated.
Why: Because I love Alaska and enjoy being outdoors in the Arctic Winter. Plus I have a sno-go just begging me for some miles on the ODO...
Gear List: This is not a complete list of everything I am taking, just the basics in no particular order.
rope - shovel - saw - ax - knives - parachute cord - duct tape - 0.040 wire - adequate tool kit & Service Manual - 3 feet of radiator hose & clamps - fire starters - 2 weeks of food - water - motor & chaincase oil - hyfax - belts - idler wheels - 18 gallon fuel tank - extra battery - flashlights - 5 MP camera - Ipod - GPS - chemical hand warmers - Full Arctic Clothing & Bunny Boots - Wiggy's Antarctic Sleeping Bag - Therma-Rest - Cooking Utensils & stove - Blocks (pulleys) from my sailboat - dry bags - flares - kite - note book & pencil - 12 gage shotgun named Bessie & ammo - Body & Soul
Follow my weather here:
http://www.arh.noaa.gov/wmofcst.php?wmo ... ype=public
See you when I get back...
My property - N 61*56.410' BY W 154*35.297'
Attachments
Topper
Extreme
Have a great trip Gypsy. We will look forward to your report when you return. Good luck and stay safe. Topper
Have one heck of a trip! Sounds like a great time! :exc:
tkuss
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Sounds Awesome. Enjoy it.
Powder Pounder
Pro
WOW, have FUN!! 
Post some pics when you get back
Post some pics when you get back
Powder Pounder
Pro
eltrain1984
Newbie
Have a great trip! Take lots of pics and vids.
GypsyRoots
Expert
Fresh pictures when I get back....Powder Pounder said:
Here are a few from last year's trips...
Attachments
GypsyRoots
Expert
Well, I'm off...
If all goes well, I should be back by the 2nd or 3rd of March.
"...and if don't see you in this world no more baby, I'll see you on the next one, but don't be late...". Jimmy...
Ride on...
GypsyRoots of the Frozen Tundra
If all goes well, I should be back by the 2nd or 3rd of March.
"...and if don't see you in this world no more baby, I'll see you on the next one, but don't be late...". Jimmy...
Ride on...
GypsyRoots of the Frozen Tundra
Powder Pounder
Pro
Nice pics 
Looking forward to the new ones! Just don't freeze your self to death 
Looking forward to the new ones! Just don't freeze your self to death 
damn gypsy,that looks like fun,be carefull outthere ,have a great trip and bring back some pictures for us to see,later bud
Yellowknife
TY 4 Stroke Master
you're going to kill my mileage with that kind of trip. lol
7000 km's and counting between two sleds, Mtn Lite and Renegade.
7000 km's and counting between two sleds, Mtn Lite and Renegade.
GypsyRoots
Expert
Well folks, I am still alive...hehehe
Made in to McGrath Alaska last night. Just over 500 miles on the ODO.
Conditions were fair from Bethel to Tuluksak, but from there on to Crooked Creek, there was ZERO SNOW.
From Crooked Creek upriver the powder just got deeper and deeper.
When I left Sleetmute the snow was abot 4 to 5 feet deep and with no bottom.
I broke trail (2nd year in a row) from Stoney River to McGrath, for a total of 230 miles.
Computer time here is very limited, so I will have to cut it short and finish by saying that the weather is really bad up in the mountains (Alaska Range), so I will hold here in McGrath for a day or so and see which way I will be headed from here.
Expect lots of video clips when I get back home!!!.
Ah! High temps have been around -10F to -15F and lows around -40F.
I have had to make sure to be at village every night, the sled will not start at -30F period....unless it is plugged in...
We'll see you guys later!
Gypsy...
Made in to McGrath Alaska last night. Just over 500 miles on the ODO.
Conditions were fair from Bethel to Tuluksak, but from there on to Crooked Creek, there was ZERO SNOW.
From Crooked Creek upriver the powder just got deeper and deeper.
When I left Sleetmute the snow was abot 4 to 5 feet deep and with no bottom.
I broke trail (2nd year in a row) from Stoney River to McGrath, for a total of 230 miles.
Computer time here is very limited, so I will have to cut it short and finish by saying that the weather is really bad up in the mountains (Alaska Range), so I will hold here in McGrath for a day or so and see which way I will be headed from here.
Expect lots of video clips when I get back home!!!.
Ah! High temps have been around -10F to -15F and lows around -40F.
I have had to make sure to be at village every night, the sled will not start at -30F period....unless it is plugged in...
We'll see you guys later!
Gypsy...
GypsyRoots
Expert
Well, I am back to Bethel.
1200 miles and a LOT of fun!
I am taking my time writing a nice trip report, so give me a few days.
The sled took a real beating but behaved like a champ. Aside from the no start in the cold thing, the only other hickups that I had were the left hyfax finally gave out, but that was after more than 3000 miles of riding since the beginning of the season and a low snow wheel is missing. Not bad.
When I camped I had to get up every hour to start it. Does anyone realize how uncomfortable it is to get out of a warm sleeping bag at -47F???
Even plugged in at McGrath, it still would not fire at -45F, so I had to wait for the highs of the day, around -30F, for it to start.
I rode just about every condition imaginable, from gravel, to ice to bottomless powder. Tundra thumping, river running and log jumping were a few of the riding styles...hehehe
Anyway, I have lots of pictures and low res. video clips to share... so keep posted.
Complete trip report in a few days...
1200 miles and a LOT of fun!
I am taking my time writing a nice trip report, so give me a few days.
The sled took a real beating but behaved like a champ. Aside from the no start in the cold thing, the only other hickups that I had were the left hyfax finally gave out, but that was after more than 3000 miles of riding since the beginning of the season and a low snow wheel is missing. Not bad.
When I camped I had to get up every hour to start it. Does anyone realize how uncomfortable it is to get out of a warm sleeping bag at -47F???
Even plugged in at McGrath, it still would not fire at -45F, so I had to wait for the highs of the day, around -30F, for it to start.
I rode just about every condition imaginable, from gravel, to ice to bottomless powder. Tundra thumping, river running and log jumping were a few of the riding styles...hehehe
Anyway, I have lots of pictures and low res. video clips to share... so keep posted.
Complete trip report in a few days...
woodbnek
Newbie
Welcome Back!
Looking forward to that trip report.
Looking forward to that trip report.
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