4 wheeling on a remote Alaskan island - Page 3

arctictraveller · 06-12-2016, 12:59 PM

I wonder if a PLB sends the same message as an EPIRB? I already own a couple of those and could easily store one in the van. One difference may be that the EPIRB is registered to my boat, so rescuers may be confused to recieve a signal from land.

Update: I partly answered my own question with a quick search. Both send the same message. An EPIRB is required to transmit for a minumum of 48hrs as opposed to 24 for a PLB. The EPIRB's I own don't have a built in GPS which makes the search area much larger, while most PLB's now include one and are less expensive, easier to carry while hiking, and can only be activated manually which pretty much eliminates the chance of a false alarm from bouncing down the road.

larrie · 06-12-2016, 05:20 PM

The primary reason I got an InReach was the top way texting over the Iridium network. Got stuck in the snow for nine hours and had no any to let my wife know what was going on. Since I am not able to get out every month I will be on the Safety Plan at $15/month. Here is the link to the different plan costs, DeLorme inReach - Two-way satellite text messaging, tracking and SOS anywhere in the world

pjpvi · 06-12-2016, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arctictraveller

It can't rain much more than Juneau or Ketchikan, and I already have web's between my toes, so no problems there. Where was your favorite spot? Nice photos by the way

I looked at photo metadata, but no location information and it's been so long ago, I have no idea. I challenge you to find the same location and send a matching photo! How hard can that be ...

arctictraveller · 06-12-2016, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjpvi

I challenge you to find the same location and send a matching photo! How hard can that be ...

I found the spot already, the deer are just a little older.

arctictraveller · 06-19-2016, 11:44 AM

My new adventure has begun. The next step is going to be fun too. My van is currently stored in Washington state and I'll be driving it up to Ketchikan in a couple weeks. This will involve about 900 miles of amazing wilderness scenery through British Columbia, from Bellingham Wa to Prince Rupert BC. From Prince Rupert I'll board an Alaska State Ferry to Ketchikan (there are no roads in or out of there). Once in Ketchikan I have a couple of options with the most likely being that I will load my van on a WW2 LCM8 landing craft and transport it to my new home on Prince of Whales island. That's assuming the LCM is finished, as it's currently getting a new bottom in Wrangle Ak. If I don't get it out of the yard on time, I may take a local ferry, or temporarly store it in Ketchikan. I expect to be departing Wa about July 5th or so. and taking about a week to get to Prince Rupert. If anyone cares to join me for part or all of the trip let me know. I'll have room for another van on the LCM too, if you want to explore some nearly untraveled wilderness in Alaska.

arctictraveller · 07-02-2016, 08:51 PM

Well, I ended up with a PLB for several reasons, mostly because I got a smoking deal (like free) Meanwhile, the plan to drive my van to Prince of Wales island has been put on hold due to a barge load of equipment and materials arriving at our remote camp. We flew out to it on Monday to survey the site and I was blown away by the beauty. Currently there are only two containers on site, but one has a new Honda 4wheeler. I became the driver and shuttled the crew to the top of the mountain, after which they hiked back down, following the route of the planned penstock. I got to ride down and explore a bunch on the way. Good thing, because despite the hike only being about a mile, it took them almost 4 hours of bushwacking down steep cliffs and blown down trees, during which one guy took a good fall. There was a ton of bear scatt on the trails, and at one point while exploring, I came around a corner to discover I was chasing a bear down the trail after which I turned around. In addition to bears, I saw LOTS of deer, and hunting season opens in July. After the survey, a boat came out to pick us up and the captain told us the bay at our site was plugged with crab's, shrimp, clams, halibut and salmon. The next day was spent 4wheeling in a company SUV, exploring miles of remote fire roads. At this point I have no idea when my van will arrive, but one thing is for sure, I'll get it there.

arctictraveller · 07-02-2016, 08:59 PM

There were also berries everywhere, probably why there were so many bears.

gcvt · 07-02-2016, 09:54 PM

Hmm, a little tiny flying gas tank with three 6's in the tail number huh?

yelnam · 07-02-2016, 11:30 PM

Beautiful

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arctictraveller · 07-03-2016, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcvt

Hmm, a little tiny flying gas tank with three 6's in the tail number huh?

You HAD to bring that up didn't you? In good weather it's a pleasure flying, but yesterday, the last flight was IFR the entire way, kinda nerve wracking when your flying between and below mountain peaks.