Need advise on upcoming trip to Alaska!

[OldRider]

I ordered bear spray from REI. I'm happy to say I don't know if works though since I didn't see a bear close enough to need to use it. For $50 a can it oughta work though.

Did they ask you about the bear spray when you crossed the border? I had read that it was illegal to bring it across the border, but you could buy it at the first place you stopped.

 

[rem]

Meanwhile, can someone recommend some good bear sprays, horns or any other effective means out there to distract a bear? Weather permitting, I hope to camp as much as possible, and this means I will be outdoors quit a bit. I also would like to know the best mosquito repellants in the market that actually work on the Alaskan kamikazes.



As you are close to the border, pick up some Muskol or whatever 98% - U. S source. Canada only allows 35% DEET in bug repellant, and it's useless. The 98% stuff works pretty well. And pray for wind. R

 

[Pterodactyl]

I've carried the same can of bear spray across the border at least 50 times. Never been asked about it and when I volunteered that I had it the border agent could have cared less. Just make sure whatever you buy is labeled as for wildlife or something like that. Just about any sporting goods store will have it.

 

[BWC]

I've also crossed the border up north carrying bear spray. I have been asked to show it to customs, they said they were checking to confirm it was bear spray and not mace. Was also informed that if its buried away on your bike and not easily accessible it really wouldnt be of much use.

 

[trimannn]

Did they ask you about the bear spray when you crossed the border? I had read that it was illegal to bring it across the border, but you could buy it at the first place you stopped.

I read somewhere that you have to claim it which I did. When I went across from the lower 48 I had to pull into the garage at the crossing and two agents came out. I had the trunk open with the bear spray on top and I still thought they were going to tear the bike apart. I was very respectfully and in the end they mentioned the "attitude test" and sent me on my way. I was in Hyder for about two hours and when I went back into Canada I told the agent about it and he didn't ask to see it or even make me get off the bike. Same thing going back in on the Alcan.

My understanding is as long as your not using whatever your carrying specifically as a weapon against a person your OK, other than guns of course.

So don't say " yeah I got bear spray that I'm going to use as pepper spray in case I get mugged."

 

[Checkswrecks]

Checkswrecks, You will get no argument from me on the effectiveness of a 12 gauge slug. I really don't want to try and carry one on a motorcycle though. I also grew up with guns. Hunting and shooting are one of my lifelong passions, right after motorcycles and fishing. My questions and comments were to see if carrying a handgun in Alaska is even possible for a non-resident and how to get it there. Certainly, ones first line of defense is to take the steps to avoid a bear encounter and then the pepper spray. If the opportunity for another Alaska trip comes along for me, I would bring a handgun. That is, if it isn't too much of a hassle. Simply because I would like something more than pepper spray for defense. The handgun I have in mind is my Smith and Wesson 500. While salmon fishing in Alaska I have had brown bears come within 50 yards of me while wading in the river, this happened twice. In my book, 50 yards is a little too close for comfort. I would have liked to have Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson there for backup.

Is that a picture of a plane crash site?

It's all good - we all get to make our own decisions.


Yes - my avatar name is not very ingenious

 

[Tenerester]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
Yes I live 15 minutes away from the border and do most of my purchases in US. I will check out the repellents at REI. I found their stuff a bit expensive though.

About border crossings:
I cross the border at least 25-30 times a year and have never had any trouble in the past ten years. As long as you declare everything you have, including liquor, cigarettes, weapons with a permit and the correct value of you purchases even if you are above your allowed limit, they will generally let you go. If you are carrying something questionable and declare it only if you are asked about it, you could end up in the dog pound. Border guards generally can 'smell' if you are trying to hide something.

Don't ever act smart even if they are wrong or rude. You may be able to declare your rights and win the battle, but not the war. You could get strip searched for the rest of your life at every border crossing from there onwards. Be polite and patient you could save yourself a lot of trouble.

They are very observant too. You think they won't notice something concealed in/on your bike or vehicle...think again. I once purchased a set of nerf bars for my SUV and it was lying on the floor of my vehicle. I had laid all other purchases on top of it and completely forgot about it at the border. I had declared everything but this. The border guard kept repeatedly asking 'anything else' and I knew instantly something was not right. I moved my stuff around and then realised I had missed the bars. He obviously had seen a tiny bit of the bars through the windows and waited till I declared it. I apologized for the omission and he was alright.

If you are driving at night, make sure your interior lights are on so that they could clearly see what/who is inside vehicle. Switch off your music so that you could hear them speak....respect!

Also if you are in a group waiting at the border, watch what you discuss among yourselves. Microphones have been installed close to the gates and they can hear what you speak while you wait. Dont be surprised if you suddenly get pulled over for a complete strip search

The crossings are packed with people during long weekends and that's when you often see guards walking between lines with dogs sniffing around your panniers and trunks. If you are carrying any drugs, that will probably be your last border crossing.

Good luck!

 

[Pterodactyl]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
Yes I live 15 minutes away from the border and do most of my purchases in US. I will check out the repellents at REI. I found their stuff a bit expensive though.

About border crossings:
I cross the border at least 25-30 times a year and have never had any trouble in the past ten years. As long as you declare everything you have, including liquor, cigarettes, weapons with a permit and the correct value of you purchases even if you are above your allowed limit, they will generally let you go. If you are carrying something questionable and declare it only if you are asked about it, you could end up in the dog pound. Border guards generally can 'smell' if you are trying to hide something.

Don't ever act smart even if they are wrong or rude. You may be able to declare your rights and win the battle, but not the war. You could get strip searched for the rest of your life at every border crossing from there onwards. Be polite and patient you could save yourself a lot of trouble.

They are very observant too. You think they won't notice something concealed in/on your bike or vehicle...think again. I once purchased a set of nurf bars for my SUV and it was lying on the floor of my vehicle. I had laid all other purchases on top of it and completely forgot about it at the border. I had declared everything but this. The border guard kept repeatedly asking 'anything else' and I knew instantly something was not right. I moved my stuff around and then realised I had missed the bars. He obviously had seen a tiny bit of the bars through the windows and waited till I declared it. I apologized for the omission and he was alright.

If you are driving at night, make sure your interior lights are on so that they could clearly see what/who is inside vehicle. Switch off your music so that you could hear them speak....respect!

Also if you are in a group waiting at the border, watch what you discuss among yourselves. Microphones have been installed close to the gates and they can hear what you speak while you wait. Dont be surprised if you suddenly get pulled over for a complete strip search

The crossings are packed with people during long weekends and that's when you often see guards walking between lines with dogs sniffing around your panniers and trunks. If you are carrying any drugs, that will probably be your last border crossing.

Good luck!

All good stuff. The USA agents are more likely to be stern then the Canadian, but I've never been searched going either way. My wife had to open here panniers once. They took a quick glance and sent her on her way. She was probably picked by a computer algorithm. I was behind an American going into Canada from Haines, AK once. He got caught with a handgun. A several hour delay ensued while the two agents on duty searched every crack and orifice of his truck, trailer and body. They called in some off duty agents on a Sunday morning. They were not a happy crew.

 

[OldRider]

Sometimes a distraction will get you a FastPass. We're crossing back into the states on the Top of the World highway and were second in line behind a couple of other bikes. A motorhome pulled up behind us and the driver got out of the motorhome. The border guard told the driver to get back in the motorhome and he started to ask her a question instead. She got very stern and told him two more times to get back in his vehicle. She sent the bikes in front of us on, we pulled up and she took a quick look at our passports, all the time keeping an eye on the guy in the motorhome and told us to go on. He pulled up behind us while we were waiting for the ferry at Dawson City so she didn't keep him too long, but it got us through quick.

 

[Jim Clark]

I recommend the SPOT satellite tracker with the extra emergency services. Your friends and family will love following your trip progress and the security of having emergency services where ever you go. Also make sure you have room reservations for Prudhoe Bay. The rooms include all meals. My son and I paid $200/day and it was worth it. Beware of the mud created by the road crews along the Dalton! Good dry road turns to quagmire with no warning.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=100

 

[Tenerester]

Thanks for the info Jim.
I did contemplate getting a Spot Tracker. If I was riding alone it would have been a no brainer. But we are a group of four and hope to help each other out in case of an emergency. We will be in touch with our families wherever there is cell signal or wifi and I am assuming the gaps in between are not that many? Therfore I am wondering if a Spot racket is essential.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[Pterodactyl]

I've long had a SPOT on my long distance trips. Besides the safety aspect (there will be many times when you have no cellular signal or WiFi) the SPOT will allow family and friends to track your progress in real time. It is a great way to make them feel as if they are part of your adventure and support future expeditions.

 

[Jim Clark]

In thus case: One SPOT will give four families a lot of assurance and interest in your trip. Additionally: SPOT Adventures allow easy documentation of your trip and you can include your photos in the Adventure map.
PRETTY COOL.

 

[Brick]

I think there will be significant locations with a lack of cell signal. And wifi... you've got to be kidding... right!!!
I have been running a SPOT for years. They are fantastic! I also link it to www.spotwalla.com because I like the ease of setting up trips and such and it's free.
My only quandary with the fact that I should really have it mounted ON my body so if I did crash it would be with me so I could push the 911 button. I have it on my bike so if I crash I would have to be able to get to the bike to push the 911 button. But that being said the friends and family watching would be seeing my track staying in one location.
I also pay a bit more for the coverage of a helicopter flight out and it also pays for the first $10K of a hospital stay.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Checkswrecks]

I've long had a SPOT on my long distance trips. Besides the safety aspect (there will be many times when you have no cellular signal or WiFi) the SPOT will allow family and friends to track your progress in real time. It is a great way to make them feel as if they are part of your adventure and support future expeditions.

+1


My family really does get a kick out of following me and on the way to Alaska you'll only get cell signal near towns. Mine stays in an outer chest pocket.

 

[Pterodactyl]

SPOT performance can get somewhat "spotty" when you get in northern Alaska and the Yukon. The Global Star satellites used by SPOT are equatorial in orbit and can get shielded by terrain features when up in the far north. The InReach trackers use Iridium satellites that are in a Polar orbit and seem to provide better service while far north. InReach/Delorme are now owned by Garmin and their service fees are more expensive, but many swear by their performance. I always used Spot, even when I lived in Fairbanks and found the performance acceptable.

 

[Tenerester]

SPOT performance can get somewhat "spotty" when you get in northern Alaska and the Yukon. The Global Star satellites used by SPOT are equatorial in orbit and can get shielded by terrain features when up in the far north. The InReach trackers use Iridium satellites that are in a Polar orbit and seem to provide better service while far north. InReach/Delorme are now owned by Garmin and their service fees are more expensive, but many swear by their performance. I always used Spot, even when I lived in Fairbanks and found the performance acceptable.

Having read all the input (thank you all) I was convinced enough to pull the trigger on a Spot until I read the above.

Pterodactyl, please explain what you mean by 'Spotty' and 'acceptable performance' please. Do you go off the grid intermittently? If so what happens if you had an emergency at one of those dead spots?

Others, have you also experienced any SPOT performance issues up north?

Appreciate the feedback.

 

[limey]

SPOT performance can get somewhat "spotty" when you get in northern Alaska and the Yukon. The Global Star satellites used by SPOT are equatorial in orbit and can get shielded by terrain features when up in the far north. The InReach trackers use Iridium satellites that are in a Polar orbit and seem to provide better service while far north. InReach/Delorme are now owned by Garmin and their service fees are more expensive, but many swear by their performance. I always used Spot, even when I lived in Fairbanks and found the performance acceptable.

I never had any problems with my spot tracking up in Alaska. And it's going 6 years now with no problems.

 

[eemsreno]

Even in the crazy places we rode in 2015 trip to Alaska I never had any thing stotty with my spot

 

[bob dirt]

Mine was giving out signals every 10 minutes all through Canada and Alaska...even up in Deadhorse. Batteries lasted the entire trip. Mine also worked on a cruise in the Baltic Sea and eastern Caribbean. My grand kids like to watch where we are on trips.

I ride a lot by myself and my son knows where to look if something happens by the last know spot. Can't push the button if you're unconscious. My wife should be able to get the insurance money faster with a body. I think that's why she bought it for me ;D

I'm taking it on a 4x4 quad camp and ride Thursday near Valley of Fire State Park so they can keep tract of grandpa 8)