Dixie To Deadhorse!

[Norwood]

yep, Jim...but they better get it while they can...unless they packed food to cook and I doubt that since they dropped most of the bags in Fairbanks at the friend's house....Moose burger may be good right about now!

[jdubeemer]

Don,
Map source says it takes over nine hours to go from Wiseman to Dead Horse. I know it's probably taking into account the gravel road but does it really take that long?

[Norwood]

Don,
Map source says it takes over nine hours to go from Wiseman to Dead Horse. I know it's probably taking into account the gravel road but does it really take that long?

It took me 13.5 hours from Wiseman to Deadhorse back to Wiseman... I spend about hour in Deadhorse hunting the fueling station and taking pictures...Anigan pass didn't look so good...so I headed back as soon possible... I had very little rain and a tab of sleet in the pass...and one delay waiting on pilot car at construction zone... The time is all in the road conditions and WEATHER....

I Googled Wiseman Weather and see they may be having rain now...Deadhorse was showing 30% today...

The place they are staying in Wiseman has totally green power, wind, sun and thermo and backup generator... during my stay...our group of three was allowed 15 minutes on the internet...due to power usage. Our cabin did have hot water, gas stove and was good.

The main issue at this point is: if you choose to continue to Deadhorse and can get to over Anigan Pass and three hours or so to Deadhorse... on the return if weather has moved it in to block Anigan Pass for safe passage...it back to Deadhorse... I have friends that have tried as many as three times (days) to get back over the pass.... rare ? not really.... it a big concern... If the weather is good...they can make the round trip in less than 13 hours... if the weather goes from good to bad...well it like VFR to IFR in minutes.

I had told Vance, if they heading North and get to Summit of Anigan Pass...if they can't see down the road (off the mountain) for at least three miles... turn back to Wiseman and try again the next day... so if we see the SPOT turn back.. they have done a smart move.

[Norwood]

Edit...Edit... looking at the WEBCAM... it appear off line the image is an old image ..... I will try to find the next one.. sorry...

Here is link to a WEBCAM located at Sagwon..which is between Anigan Pass and Deadhorse.... this camera is next to haul road.. and as I see it... it doesn't look so good at this point...however check back...

Couple years ago... a group of friends where following some friends as we are going now... and we actually saw them pass ....the second time.... this group it took three days for them to make it back over Anigan Pass.

A lot of riders decide not to spend a night in Deadhorse due to this factor... they had rather stay at Wiseman or Coldfoot and make it a day trip...

http://ine.uaf.edu/werc/projects/NorthSlope/sagriver_web_cam.html

[Norwood]

Weather looking fair at this point... some thunderstorms West of Haul Road..

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=AKZ206

[Norwood]

Road conditions link: could be wet in places

http://511.alaska.gov/alaska511/mappingcomponent/index

[Norwood]

Webcam at Deadhorse... click on images ...this appears more current.

http://avcams.faa.gov/viewsite.php

[BMWWANDRR]

Looks like they turned back. Any updates Don?

[Norwood]

Looks like they turned back. Any updates Don?

Yep, seeing that... Speculation only...but this would be near the Summit and with thunderstorms in the area... temps on the Summit somewhat cooler... if the turn back was WEATHER related.. it was a wise move on their part.... very limited motel rooms in Deadhorse.... and you may remember from Alan and Tim's ride...they where stuck there for three days due to not be able to get back over Anigan Pass due to weather....understandable one of the reasons the oil field workers are flown to and from Deadhorse/ Fairbanks.

Don't think they have but one or two more spare days build into their schedule and departure via ferry back to Washington State?

Seeing how the spot is still moving...that's a good sign that it may be only weather related...

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Look at your spot this afternoon... what a great ride you guys are having...enjoying the FB pictures.

[jdubeemer]

If they are smart they will head south. Of course if they were smart they wouldn't be up there. JMHO. I am sitting here with a glass of wine. But I do admire their adventuresome spirit. I hope and pray they will come back in one piece and feel that their mission was accomplished.

[Gail]

If they are smart they will head south. Of course if they were smart they wouldn't be up there. JMHO. I am sitting here with a glass of wine. But I do admire their adventuresome spirit. I hope and pray they will come back in one piece and feel that their mission was accomplished.

The more obstacles they overcome, the more memorable the trip. I would love to be riding with them, and Alaska is on my bucket list. However my bucket is getting pretty full, and I ain't gettin any younger . I'll bet they will be glad when they get to Salem! Gail

[BMWWANDRR]

I see they are headed back. I'll be in Tok 2 nights so come on down, first round is on me.

[Norwood]

I see they are headed back. I'll be in Tok 2 nights so come on down, first round is on me.

I need four good days to get there!

however I will see you in Salem!

[Vance]

be...beee..beeee....beep....update...update....

We are back in Fairbanks tonight after being "off the grid" for three days. I know many of you are following along with out trip on Spot and are wondering why we turned around short of Deadhorse. Well it was due to the three M's. What would be the three M's you ask??? Well, that would be mud - moisture - moresquitos!!! Just imagine if you will the worst case of morsquitos you can and then multiply that times oh....let's say infinity???

We went through and over Atigan Pass which was very nice, however on the other side the things got worse in a hurry. Not only the moresquitos but it began to rain, the road construction was working full tilt and it was down to about 50 degrees...so we all came to the same conclusion....we had seen enough and really did not need to go any further.

As Norwood has pointed out, this is a desolate area...and that is being kind. You really have to plan everything just right for fuel food and lodging. Even though it does not get dark...it would be bad to get caught in the weather with no resources. Talking with some other riders in Coldfoot this morning...we indeed made the right decision.

It was a VERY interesting trip and Wiseman is quite a place indeed. It is an old mining camp with a total of 14 year round residents...when they are all in town. A fabulous experience even though we did not go all the way to Deadhorse.

Here are a few pictures from the last few days.....

IMGP0318.jpgIMGP0320.jpgIMGP0340.jpgIMGP0348.jpgIMGP0382.jpgIMGP0384.jpgIMGP0392.jpg

Tomorrow we celebrate the 4th here in Fairbanks and then head to Denali...the adventure continues! as before...more updates as we get connectivity! Thanks for following along with us.

Oh yeah...Gail...we are all still friends!! lol....

Ride safe ya'll!

"Cabin Boy"

[Gator]

Thanks for the update, sorry y'all couldn't make it all the way to Deadhorse but no sense being miserable. From the pictures it looks like some pretty desolate country, not a place that you would want to spend a night beside the road, too many critters looking for sumpun to eat. The bikes still look pretty clean, maybe y'all should go find some mud to ride in LOL. Enjoyed the pictures, keep em coming. Ride safe.

Gator