Inmates in Barrow?

[jgrooms]

Originally Posted by Wheeldog

Have him contact Pam Flowers. She did a solo dog sled trip out of Barrow and can prolly give him all kinds of info.
http://www.pamflowers.com/expeditions/alone.htm

Thanks!

[KHuddy]

Had a PM exchange with Sjaak. He wants to ride the ice from Barrow to Inuvik.

[jgrooms]

Yes per his map in the link. Is that possible?

[Wheeldog]

Originally Posted by jgrooms

Yes per his map in the link. Is that possible?

His chances are somewhere between slim and none.

[jgrooms]

Could you elaborate?

Agency issues?

[Stkmkt1]

Sjack told me he will be riding on the Arctic Ocean up and around Prudhoe Bay area to avoid issues with US government territory. He is well into the planning of the trip now. He will make his way down to Key West. If anyone can do this, it's Sjack. After talking with him, I now believe he can do it. I'm not sure he has publically stated the date he intends to set off, so I will not say. But once he does, you will be able to track him with live updates, possible even up to what speed he is traveling. Should be quite cool, or cold in his case.

[KHuddy]

I don't want to be overly negative, but I think this is an idea that is likely to go bad. I had some lengthy conversations with Sjaak about his ideas for over ice travel; at one point he was considering a ride to the Pole. Issues I see just off hand are: fissures and breaks in the ice, fuel consumption and problems starting an R1 engine in sub-zero temperatures. This would be a tough venture for a dog team and a dog team is far more versatile than a Yamaha R1. I wish him luck and perhaps he has all these issues worked out; if he pulls it off I will be first to congratulate him.

[Wheeldog]

Originally Posted by jgrooms

Could you elaborate?

Agency issues?

Spend some time in the arctic and check out how the ocean freezes. Get in contact with Pam Flowers or read her book. It ain't rocket science. For once the government doesn't have anything to do with it.

Bottom line is do your homework and do some practice runs before you try it. I been wandering around the arctic for 30 years. From reading his web site, the guy don't have a clue of what he is getting into.

[AKDuc]

Originally Posted by AKBeemer

I don't want to be overly negative, but I think this is an idea that is likely to go bad.

I'm afraid I have to agree even tho I know Sjaak and what he's done. From what all I've seen of the ice, I think of it as pretty unnavigable.

I think it'd take some pretty amazing good fortune for any type of wheeled vehicle to travel over that ice.

Best of luck, Mark H.

[jgrooms]

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it, as I'm working to help support Sjaak's efforts. I know he appreciates it also.

[richardak]

Originally Posted by jgrooms

He wants to ride the ice! Is this possible/permitted?

Where are you?

I will tell him you said hi.

Some years, an ice road is put in between Deadhorse and Barrow if there is a lot of equipment and vehicles that need to be brought in that can't wait for the barge in August. I had heard that this may be one of those years...

I just happen to be in Barrow right now, I'll ask around.

[jgrooms]

Originally Posted by richardak

Some years, an ice road is put in between Deadhorse and Barrow if there is a lot of equipment and vehicles that need to be brought in that can't wait for the barge in August. I had heard that this may be one of those years...

I just happen to be in Barrow right now, I'll ask around.

Great info! Thanks.

[KHuddy]

Originally Posted by richardak

I just happen to be in Barrow right now, I'll ask around.

Sucks to be you, Rich.

[richardak]

Originally Posted by AKBeemer

Sucks to be you, Rich.

You can say that again... It's a balmy -29°F here today with a 7mph breeze.

[richardak]

No information on an ice road this year. Folks had heard that funding is available for a road this year but aren't sure whether construction has taken place or what the plans were.