North to Alaska

[Justinf]

The ride was awesome. So much fun and so exciting. We had to stop every five minutes to let the dogs cool off even though it was -20 degrees. To watch them roll in the snow to get cool, was surreal. We were going slowly in this video as the snow was fairly deep here but in other parts we were going three times as fast and going around bends with trees and branches in the way.

[video=youtube;Fq9FiKj4m-U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq9FiKj4m-U[/video]

 

[Justinf]

The ride was about 6 miles. There was another sled on the same run and it took the normal route home. Our dogs decided to do a complete 360 and head down another path home. Nita was powerless to stop these fine beasts. They knew a shorter way home and were determined to beat the other sled. Sure enough we arrived a good 90 seconds before the other sled despite them having a head start.

 

[Justinf]

We got to hang around with the huskies after the ride for a while.





I converted Boo Boo into a Richmond supporter.




Inside there was a pup. Isn't it the most adorable thing you have ever seen in your life?





So was the dog sledding worth it and would I recommend it? Hell yes. It was a quintessential Alaskan experience and it was fun and exciting. Feeling the power of these dogs, who are so obviously looked after and cared for, was incredible. I'd highly recommend Sirius Dog Sledding if you are looking for a company.
The aurora forecast that night was also just as disappointing as the previous night. Time was running out.
We got back to the hotel around 5pm and we were absoultely spent. Too tired to go anywhere. SIS ended up running a bath and ordering room service while I headed down to the Red Lantern bar downstairs and had a few coldies and a bite to eat. The barman, Steve, said if we hadn't seen the Northern Lights by our final night tomorrow night, he'd personally drive us 90 miles if need be out of the city to see them. He didn't want payment...he just wanted us to see the lights.
To me, it's people like Steve who you remember more than the actual experiences you have when you are travelling.
Tomorrow we were taking a small turbo prop aircraft up to Coldfoot, 96km beyond the Arctic Circle. This was the thing I had been looking forward to most of all along with the lights.

 

[tombob]

Richmond?

Poor dog.

Excellent trip report, well done.

Thoughts on Alaska Air F class?

 

[Justinf]

Alaska first, not bad. Service was good. Can't say a lot about the meals - satisfactory is what I would put it. Didn't go to the lounges.
Seats were pretty much the same as domestic J here. About 38in legroom.
Didn't have to pay for a bag either, so saved $25 each time. Prices are not that much more expensive than Y.

 

[Justinf]

SIS got up early and went out for brekky. I'm not a breakfast person - lots of coffee is my breakfast of choice.
I ventured to the fitness centre again for another 40 minutes of running and some token weights.
Made a coffee in my room and then made the mistake of taking it outisde. Holy cough Batman! It was cold. It was supposed to get down to minus 30 last night and I reckon it was still in the high minus 20s. Jesus it was cold. I thought my coffee might freeze.
We were looking forward to the Arctic Circle flight.
We booked with Northern Alaska Adventure Tours and the day was going to consist of a flight up to Coldfoot, a 45-minute 'tour' and then a flight back. Take off time was 12.30pm and we would be returning back to Fairbanks at 4.30pm, so a nice half day of aviation.
We decided to book an aurora viewing tour as well for our final night rather than take up Steve's offer, kind as it was. Pickup time was 9pm and returning around 2am. We then had a 6.30am flight the next morning to Seattle. So it was going to be a very, very long day.
Anyway, into a cab and out to the airport for our Arctic Circle adventure.
We arrived and there were a few planes leaving. Some were doing the fly/drive tour where they fly up to Coldfoot and then take a bus back (screw that!).
We got the small office and checked in. We had the option of pre-ordering a lunch pack for when we got to Coldfoot and for $12 it was pretty good value so we did it.
Now, I have a confession to make. I'm a little scared of flying. Yep. Who would've thunk it. I am especially scared of light aircraft. Not to fear, I had some Diazepam with me and took a fair chunk of it.
Our aircraft today would be a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo. It was small, but at least it had two props so I felt a bit better.

 

[amaroo]

Enjoying the TR. Dog sledding is a ton of fun. Fingers crossed you did get to see the lights - one of life's treats!

 

[B0RDEX]

Absolutely loving this TR so far, thank you for sharing!

 

[Justinf]

We boarded first and went straight to the front to sit just behind the pilot, a very young man in his early 20s. The Diazepam had kicked in now and I wasn't nervous.











We were now ready for take off and we all had earphones on (you needed them as the noise of those engines was obscene) and we could hear the pilot communicating with air traffic control. I wish I could remember the pilot's name. I'm awful with names.
We taxied out to the runway and saw a cargo plane take off at 50% power. The pilot told us that the engines were not being made anymore so to make them last as long as possible, they took off as slowly as possible. It was fascinating hearing this from him. I knew we were in for a treat.

 

[Justinf]

Take off was smooth and we turned left and continued north to Coldfoot. Flight time was announced as 70 minutes and we settled back and listened the pilot converse with ATC and the other pilots around, one who was 12 miles behind us. The banter between them was priceless. Pilot provided some awesome commentary. We saw Denali but she was a bit too far away for my iphone to get a good shot. Soon we were crossing over the tundra. The flight ended up being 59 minutes (I timed it...one of my OCD things when I am on a plane to divert my attention) and was remarkably smooth sailing. Clear air and no turbulence at all except for a brief moment as we crossed a mountain range and the pilot let us know beforehand anyway. I felt in very safe hands. I think I enjoyed seeing him fly the plane as much as I did the scenery, which was truly amazing.

 

[Justinf]

I took quite a few pics so I will let them do the talking for the next few posts.

 

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[Justinf]

A small settlement. The pilot tipped the wing to the right so we could get a good look. There's a school there somewhere.

 

[Justinf]

The emptiness and vastness of this place was just staggering. I was spellbound (and it wasn't the valium).

 

[Justinf]

 

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[Justinf]

In no time, we were coming over a small mountain range and coming in to land.

 

[Justinf]

A video of our landing at Coldfoot. (having trouble uploading, can someone let me know if this is visible?)

[video=youtube;gi6LzlfyMJs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi6LzlfyMJs[/video]

 

[Austff]

Yes, looks great.