Looking for a new place, how much of an Alaska experience do I want?

January 17, 2019, 10:42 AM

Aeteocles

Looking for a new place, how much of an Alaska experience do I want? - Updated with Pics

I'd rather live up on a hill in a tsunami zone anyway.

January 17, 2019, 11:15 AM

Ackks

Hang a picture on the wall of that view and live some place normal.

January 17, 2019, 11:56 AM

LS1 GTO

How long of a commute is it?

Is a snowmobile an option (when there's snow of course)?

January 17, 2019, 03:15 PM

ShouldBFishin

quote:
Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
How long of a commute is it?

Is a snowmobile an option (when there's snow of course)?

That sure sounds like a great ~~excuse~~ reason for a new toy

January 17, 2019, 03:18 PM

chongosuerte

I think I'd do it.

You only live once.

January 17, 2019, 04:24 PM

45 Cal

Its just me but I would pack the truck full of survival gear,little buddy and lots of propane.
In the back there would be an air catty ,with the plan to reduce air pressure daily going up home.

January 18, 2019, 01:05 AM

newmexican

quote:
Originally posted by ShouldBFishin:
quote:
Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
How long of a commute is it?

Is a snowmobile an option (when there's snow of course)?

That sure sounds like a great ~~excuse~~ reason for a new toy

Pretty sure in most “cities” in AK 4x4 and snowmachine activity in town is prohibited, at least everywhere I’ve been. It’s not like the bush where you can just ride your Honda to work. I’ve never seen snow machines or Honda’s just cruising around in anchorage or fairbanks...out in the woods and subdivisions, sure but you are going to cruise through anchorage in a snowmachine.

January 18, 2019, 09:43 AM

smlsig

Other than the driveway it doesn't look that steep. I'm sure it may just be the pictures themselves.
one question i have is who is going to be responsible to plow the driveway? I'm assuming the Owner and he will either do it (or have it done) fast enough so that it won't prohibit you from going to work...

January 18, 2019, 10:21 AM

mike28w

Beautiful view !! Who's responsible for shoveling the driveway ??

January 21, 2019, 07:10 AM

mjlennon

I like it; id do it. Just plan accordingly.

January 21, 2019, 07:36 AM

2000Z-71

Deposit sent, the adventure continues...

January 21, 2019, 08:54 AM

ASKSmith

Another "is a snowmobile an option?" suggestion. I visited a friend in Maine in the winter, I forget exactly where, but it was on a lake, and Stephen King lived on the other side. You could pretty much get anywhere using trails. In town to buy groceries, restaurants, stores, etc.

Maybe even a 4wd Side by Side with dedicated snow chains. Leave your car at the bottom of the drive in bad weather.

I have a friend who words for Parks and Conservation (or something like that) for Alaska. The pics he shows are amazing. He hunts, fish, grows his own vegetables. Pretty much living off the grid and getting paid for it. Some places he goes he gets dumped off by a helicopter.

Enjoy. I am truly jealous.

January 21, 2019, 09:02 AM

HRK

Snowmobile, no, too cold you'll freeze yer nuts off and you can't pack much to take with you,

Mattracks, bolt um on in the bad winter months, take them off in the summer.

http://www.mattracks.co/tracks/trucks/

Karmanator TOOB it wasn't responding so here's the video link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...pdw&feature=youtu.be

January 21, 2019, 10:26 AM

tatortodd

quote:
Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
quote:
Originally posted by onegeek:
Are you on a term contract?

Not on a contract per se, but if I leave earlier than 2 years from my start date I have to pay back my signing bonus and relocation costs. Currently I'm 3 months into it.

The looked intimidating today going up but the truck made it no problem. I've got an F-150 4x4 with 33" BFG All-Terrains. It does good in loose snow and snow pack, on ice it kind of sucks. Didn't slip at all until I got back into town, got complacent and shifted back into 2 wheel drive.

I've got a set schedule and I'm not on call. But the drive up and down the mountain does concern me. I'm already thinking of a duffel bag with change of clothes in the back of the truck and either couch surf or grab a motel room and stay in town if it gets really bad. So far this winter has not been bad, I don't know if that's typical or not.

If you move there, do yourself a favor and buy a set of studded snow tires on steel wheels for winter. Studs have the advantage between 25 to 35 when you’re more likely to get the zamboni effect of water on top of the packed ice. Below 25, the studless and studded are equal but both are vastly superior to all-season and all-terrain. This isn’t personal opinion, this is based on university research which included head to head testing.

The reason I said get a separate set of wheels is:

when the studs have to come off by law (fines) there is a 5+ hour wait at tire places

the tire places are notorious for scams saying the can’t mount one of your summer/winter tires if you try to use the same set of wheels for both. They even misplaced my ex’s winter tires and stole my friend’s summer tires (didn’t load them in back and 15 min later she realized it and they couldn’t “find” them).

steel wheels are more forgiving than aluminum wheels if you slide into a curb in cold weather. Aluminum are much more likely to crack and need replacing.

I had a 1/2” torque wrench, a tall floor hack for trucks, and 2 jack stands. I did my own swaps every fall and every spring the 5 years I lived in Anchorage and the 2 years I lived in Alberta, Canada. The floor jack and torque wrench paid for themselves quickly and saved me lots of waiting and frustration.