Pulled the trigger this year and just returned from a 5 day trip to Alaska! Incredible! I've never backcountry snowmobiled or even really northwoods off trail other than some UP fireroads and OMG the only thing in common is that you're riding a snowmobile. It was one of the most physically demanding things I've ever done. My neighbor from home has a client in Anchorage who has been telling him to come up & ride, so we were able to put a trip together this year. The guy from up there rides pretty much any time he's not working so it was great (and a necessity) having an expert show us the ropes, plus he knew the area very well. We went to several places many don't even try and way beyond our skill level, but was amazing. We based out of Petersville Alaska and rode in the Peters Hills and Dutch Hills and to the edge of Denali National Park. There were 4 of us from Chicago and our host. The only tips he really gave us was any trees/bushes less than 2-1/2" in diameter are traction (ie:ride over em) and "when in doubt, power out". Very good tips, needed them almost every minute of every day. We rented Ski Doo 850 Summit 165's and one RMK 850 165. Less than 3 minutes in the first days ride, all four of us were stuck in 8' of snow. Luckily our host is an expert an getting them out. We got better over time, but still needed his help often. It's hard to summarize everything we did, but what an experience. I can't explain the feeling of floating thru a valley in who knows how deep the snow is, shooting across the wide open, coming across a creek opening that's 5'-8' across, 10' down and having to pin it to jump it, then again, than again. Or coming to a 20' high wind blown cornice that you have no other option than to pin it and hope for a soft landing, which we grew more comfortable with because almost all were landing in deep snow, but you had to stay on the power pull out of the landing. One trail, we had about a 2" room for error from making it or rolling down an 800' ravine. All in all, an incredible trip. Going to Alaska alone was a bucket list item, snowmobiling, or snowmachining as they call it, there makes it that much better.<img src="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=62846&stc=1" attachmentid="62846" alt="" id="vbattach_62846" class="previewthumb"><img src="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=62847&stc=1" attachmentid="62847" alt="" id="vbattach_62847" class="previewthumb"> <img src="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=62842&stc=1" attachmentid="62842" alt="" id="vbattach_62842" class="previewthumb"><img src="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=62843&stc=1" attachmentid="62843" alt="" id="vbattach_62843" class="previewthumb"><img src="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=62844&stc=1" attachmentid="62844" alt="" id="vbattach_62844" class="previewthumb"><img src="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=62845&stc=1" attachmentid="62845" alt="" id="vbattach_62845" class="previewthumb"><img src="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=62840&stc=1" attachmentid="62840" alt="" id="vbattach_62840" class="previewthumb"><img src="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=62841&stc=1" attachmentid="62841" alt="" id="vbattach_62841" class="previewthumb">
Alaska!
- Thread starter 5_spot
- Start date
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
Looks like a once in a lifetime trip! Amazing snow and such beauty up there. Thanks for sharing!
sounds like a great trip and many memories for am life time for you as well<br><br> I know I have loved every trip I have had to AK, its just a place that brings one to appreciate the wonder of its wildness it has in so many ways!<br><br>and, if your like me, you'll end up going back a few more times over the yrs and in different seasons as well<br> <br><br><br>
L
lenny
Guest
So cool!