Alaska on the Cheap...Continued

Photo by Outdoor Life Online Editor

What to Take

Because you'll be on your own out in the Alaska wilderness, you should pack gear for all emergencies.

Pack quality raingear and a range of lightweight and cool-weather synthetic clothing. Temperatures can dip into the 40s, but most areas will be in the 60s to 80s during the summer months. Annual rainfall in downtown Juneau averages 90 inches, and almost 154 inches in Ketchikan.

Cabins typically have basic tools, a few wooden bunks and a stove. A cookstove that burns unleaded gasoline is best. Fuel canisters are prohibited on airlines, but you can find unleaded fuel almost anywhere in Alaska. Some cabins
require you to use fuel oil or to cut your own firewood.

Generally speaking, bring your own sleeping bag, cooking utensils and fishing gear. You need to be self-sufficient. Also, many cabin veterans rent a small outboard kicker from the air- or boat-charter operator.
In the Tongass, standard salmon fishing gear works best. I carry two rods, so that if one breaks I can continue fishing with the spare. Go with medium-action casting or spinning rods for kings and silvers, and lighter rods for reds, pinks and chums. A 9-weight fly rod will handle all Alaska sport fish except the largest king salmon. Take plenty of extra line, from 8- to 20-pound-test, for spin-fishing. And don't forget the ultralight tackle for rainbows, grayling, cutthroats and char.

Hip boots are a must-have item. For saltwater surf-casting and river wading, chest waders with felt soles work best.

When pursuing Alaska big game, expect to use the same type of hunting equipment you would on a backpack hunt for elk or mule deer in the Lower 48. You might also consider taking a spotting scope, freeze-dried food for overnight use and a radio or personal locator beacon (PLB) in case of an emergency.

Cost Cutters

Early Arrival Try to arrive in Alaska early in the morning so that you can depart for your fishing or hunting location by midday. Evening arrivals generally require an overnight stay at a hotel-summer rates are typically around $125 per night.

By Sea or Air? Renting a charter boat in coastal areas can be more or less costly than chartering a floatplane. Be sure to compare prices. Boats allow pickup when poor visibility prevents air travel.
Off-Season Discounts Many operators offer discounts to anglers in mid- to late May and in late September, because few people travel to Alaska at these times. At either part of the season, expect the possibility of rain, snow and cooler temperatures.

Ship Your Gear Consider shipping nonperishable food to the cabin owner via standard freight before your arrival. After your stay, you can reuse the boxes to mail hunting or fishing gear back to your home. Pack your game meat, fish or hides in coolers or meat boxes and check them as luggage so that they arrive home when you do. This saves big bucks on excess baggage or air-freight costs.

Avoid Fee Hikes Many operators charge higher fees for nonresidents who don't know how to handle jet boats and other expensive equipment. Convince the outfitter you're skilled, and ask for the in-state price.
Don't Pay for Lost Time Some operators will charge you for staying at a cabin if inclement weather prevents you from departing. Argue strongly for a greatly reduced rate or no charge for the weathered-in portion.

Fly for Free

Fly on Weekdays Air and boat charters are
often booked solid during weekend switch-over days. You'll receive better service if you arrive and depart on weekdays.

Frequent-flyer miles are easier to
accumulate than ever before. Just
buy from or sign up with the right company and you'll get a mileage boost that may put you in the sky for free. The secret is to find the right partner(s) far enough in advance to get your account credited.
Since the partners usually comnsate the carrier, the best place to start your search is on the airlines' Web pages. On www.americanairlines.com look under "Partners and Mileage
Program." On www.southwest.com check "Rapid Rewards" and on www.nwa.com (Northwest Airlines) click on "WorldPerks."

Northwest lists over 60 businesses (including Cabela's) that award frequent-flyer miles. Some are available only through the Internet, such as www.rei.com and www.target.com.

Credit cards and financial services are the fastest way to grab new points. At www.etrade.com you can get up to 75,000 miles for making a deposit into a new account. There's a link to a Visa card that gives 3,000 points (United has a Visa link that awards up to 15,000) just for signing up. When using one of these cards, most household expenses can earn you miles, including the hunting trip itself if you book it far enough in advance.

If you can't buy
stuff fast enough to earn a free seat, you can still purchase some extra miles. Many airlines sell miles through their Web pages. Several Web brokers also buy and sell miles, including www.frequentflyer points.com, www.miles4sale.com and www.air-awards.com. Though it's legal for these brokers to sell miles everywhere but in Utah, it may violate an airline's frequent-flyer program, so before buying miles from a broker you should verify that the carrier will accept them.

checking firearms: Airlines allow firearms to be checked in as baggage, but you have to declare them. The gun must be unloaded and sealed in a hard-sided case. These regulations can change and their violation can lead to federal prosecution, so it's a good idea to call your airline a few days before you depart.

Flying With Meat: Most
domestic airlines will transport meat as checked luggage. Usually travelers can check two pieces of baggage that don't exceed 62 inches in maximum dimension (length plus width plus height) and 50 pounds in weight.

Luggage over 50 pounds will cost an additional $25 to $50 each and will have to be shipped as air cargo if it's over 100 pounds. Extra bags might also result in additional charges. The traveler is responsible for the proper packaging of meat. Airlines require that meat be carried in leakproof containers, such as coolers or waxed boxes. Airlines might not take a package that contains dry ice. Carry tape with you in case you have to reseal a package.
-Jim Lee

A 1,500-Mile Drive to Alaska's Paradise

At Whitehorse the temperature dropped to
63 degrees below zero. It was 55 below at Dawson Creek, and a chilling 69 below at the Donjek River on the Alaska Highway. In my
barracks niche, the day we ran out of stove oil, my shaving lotion congealed. The cold clawed at you with steel-like talons.

These words were written by a construction worker in the winter of 1942, when the Alaska Highway was built. Sliced out of the bush in only eight months, the 1,422-mile-long highway was constructed just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. A journalist aptly said, "We will either build a highway up to Alaska or the Japanese will build it down for us."

Contrary to popular belief, the entire road is paved. Be aware, however, that severe weather requires extensive construction to keep the highway maintained. When you drive this thoroughfare, keep delays in mind.

To avoid crowds, make the drive before or
after the peak of the tourist season, which is July and August. The official start of the highway is Dawson Creek, British Columbia, whose airport is appropriately named "Milepost 0 Airport." From there, the major towns on the highway
include Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Watson Lake, Whitehorse and, finally, Fairbanks.

The immensely popular book The Milepost is a must for travelers who want a detailed description of the attractions and services along the road. If you want a varied adventure, drive the highway up and return to the Lower 48 via a large ferry that accommodates recreational vehicles. -Jim Zumbo rn to the Lower 48 via a large ferry that accommodates recreational vehicles. -Jim Zumbo

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