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Need advice for driving Prius to Alaska, please.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Robert Holt, Sep 3, 2013.

  1. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Well I have a low mileage 4 wheel drive 2003 Tundra that now has a brand new frame and has handled all my off road and camping stuff so far, but it gets 20 mpg while the Prius now gets 54-55 mpg. I would agree that Practically the truck (like the 4 Runner you suggest) is the choice for this drive, but morally I cannot justify the additional fossil fuel consumption and co2 emission. Tis a puzzlement.

    Embracing inner Yellowstone??
    Tis another puzzlement.

    Now skeeters, those I understand!
     
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  2. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    We did want to pause in Denali as we head from Fairbanks to Anchorage (or vice-versa), and camp a bit. Hope the weather cooperates.
     
  3. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Um do I use the plasma to feed the skeeters or distract the grizzly bears?
    Need to check my first aid kit!
     
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  4. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    I like it. Humor and an adventure. I'm sure you will have the time if your life and find memories. Hopefully your butt will not be so saddle sore
     
  5. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    I'm assuming the freezing pushes up one end of a slab of pavement and forms like a launching ramp for the car/motorcycle , but these other folks know for sure.

    Re Bear: Well, I also hope to avoid an encounter, but if it does the bear will be preying as he runs at me, and I will be praying as I run away! (Song: "The Preacher and the Bear").
    Just hope I spray the pepper in the right direction so that I don't just end up spicing his meal!
     
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  6. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    It's not always easy to tell the skeeters from the bears, they're about the same size.
     
  7. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Play dead if a Bear seems interested a park ranger exclaimed to a group. One man asked how you do that and his wife said just pretend it's Saturday night and your in bed. :)
     
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  8. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Ok, look for cases of bug spray at Costco/BJs, check!
    I have knocked about a bit but never to the interior of Alaska, so really do need advice.
    Seriously, how about a pith helmet with mesh screening draped around the edges to protect my head? In Australia they use a wide brimmed bush hat with many wine corks dangling from the edges to discourage black flies. Has anyone used either type of hat against the Alaskan mosquito?

    We do have no-see-um mesh screens for the window, so that ought to be OK.

    Will check if our sleeping bags are rated for the. 40s or 30s.

    The full size spare sounds very good. Is Corolla wheel rim a switch fit?
    Need to find those rims and check for fit in that well underneath. Hate to install a hitch to mount it in back, but the front hood is aluminum I think and thus would not take having a spare strapped to it as in the military Kubelwagen in Germany. Other ideas?

    Thanks for info!
     
  9. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Whatever happens, I sense you should film it.
    Then release the whole adventure in installments on the internet under the title: Hybrid Alaska: Northern Ex-Poser.

    I'll watch and leave caustic comments.
     
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  10. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I've used one of the Aussie cork hats. They won't work in Alaska, since all the mosquitoes have to do is bat the corks out of the way.
    All kidding aside, the mosquito netting might help you when you're knocking around camp. You said that you were going to sleep in the G3, but you're not going to stay in the G3 all of the time.
    If there's room in the Prius you may want to pack a large hunk of mosquito netting, or maybe one of those screen shelters we used to use as a kid. No-see-ums (ariel-dantes) weren't a problem the last time I was in the last frontier, but I'll have to defer to a [sic] native to answer that one.
    Corolla rims are a direct bolt-on for the G3, and you can probably get one on eBay fairly cheap. I'd probably consider a hitch receiver and carrier whether or not the corolla rim will fit in the spare tire wheel well for extra crap that won't fit in the people compartment.
    Take an inverter.
    Bob Wilson did a long piece about permanently installing a 1000 watt unit but you'll probably easily get by with a much smaller unit......maybe in the 500 watt range. A good portable radio (wx band included) and about 5 more LED flashlights than you're already planning on bringing will also prove helpful. They make hand crank units that the preppers always buy, but that may be overkill. You're camping - not settling.
    You keep saying 'we' so I'd also include EXTRA baby wipes (sanitary safe if you can find them.)
    Water.
    The gravel on those roads is pretty fierce, which is why when people talk about spare tires they don't use the singular. A coolant puncture, while not exactly commonplace isn't unheard of either, and as I said before you may have to help somebody else out who is not as well prepared (law of the sea also applies here.)
    Besides....you can always drink it. If you find yourself running out of room they make collapsible water containers.
     
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  11. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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  12. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    You can only drive about 15 miles into Denali without a special permit. You have to leave your car at the park entrance and take the courtesy buses to go camping or to get to the visitor facilities within the park.
     
  13. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    You don't have to haul everything with you! They do have stores in Canada and in Alaska. You can buy as you go!
     
  14. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    How does that work for Canada?
     
  15. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Fuzzy lives in Washington State and says it can't be done legally. I already retracted the statement
     
  16. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    How about a shotgun? 00 buckshot and rifled slugs should work for bears and a shotgun may be OK in Canada.
     
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  17. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Well unless you happen to win the lottery... my lovely wife and I did in 98 and drove all the way back to Wonder Lake and caught a few trout. The road was actually pretty good and the sites incredible.
     
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  18. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    I see that lottery applications for next year have to be sent in between September 13 - 16, 2013 - just over a week away.
     
  19. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    I just happened to come across a photo of that day/drive... fish on! fishing.jpg
     
  20. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    Not raining!