Alaska Adventures

The Annual Arctic Man Competition is just around the corner. In it's 20th year, the arctic man competition was a forerunner to the current X-Games craze. The events slogan is "Go Fast or Go Home". The Artic Man combines extreme skiing with extreme speeds on skis, with a little help from a snow machine. Starting at about 5,800 feet, one member of the two man team, skis a two mile course that drops about 4100 feet in elevation. He then grabs a tow rope and is pulled by his partner on a snowmobile at speeds of up to 80 miles an hour another two miles, to the next downhill ski that drops another 1200 feet to the finish below. It makes my legs ache just thinking about it.

This event has grown in popularity over the years and advanced planning is required. Last year about 13,000 people showed up to watch this wilderness event. It takes place at Summit Lake near Fairbanks, parking and facilities are extremely hard to come by. This is a 4 day winter camping trip for many. A great event where everything is a little bit extreme.

The race is April 6th - 10th, 2005; Race Day April 8th, 2005; Backup Race Day April 9th,10th, 2005

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April 7, 2005 23:35 - Alaska and Alaska Railroad History.

As the daylight here in Alaska starts to dominate the darkness, it is becoming very apparent that a new spring and summer are just around the corner. Springtime in Alaska is a very anticipated event for many, bringing to an end the long winter months, often dominated by cold and darkness. With spring come longer hours to enjoy the outdoors and generally very mild temperatures. Along with spring, Alaskans also know that the tourists can't be far behind. I thought I might explore an often overlooked method of seeing Alaska, the Alaska Railroad.

Consider traveling by train if you happen to be in Alaska, it offers some very scenic trips. You can do some travel planning at the Alaska Railroad's official website.

I also thought a little history might be interesting. Here's a timeline of important dates in Alaska Railroad History.

1898 - Skagway is largest city in Alaska; work starts on White Pass and Yukon Railroad.

1900 - White Pass railroad completed.

1905 - Tanana railroad built. Alaska Road Commission established under Army jurisdiction.

1911 - Copper River and Northwestern Railroad begins service to Kennecott Copper Mine.

1914 - Congress authorizes the construction of the Alaska Railroad, clearing the way for the only railroad in history which would be owned and operated by the U.S. government. Surveying begins for Alaska Railroad; City of Anchorage born as construction campsite.

1915 - President Woodrow Wilson selects the railroad's route that will run between the Port of Seward through the coal fields of the Interior to the gold claims near Fairbanks. What is now Anchorage is picked as its headquarters. Thousands of job seekers and adventurers pour into the area, living in a tent city on the banks of Ship Creek.

1918 - The first train from Seward steams into Anchorage, marking the completion of the southern half of the railroad line.

1923 - President Warren G. Harding drives in the golden spike at Nenana, signaling the completion of the Alaska Railroad.

1985 - State purchases Alaska Railroad from the federal government.

The Alaska Railroad is now ran by a quazi-government organization for the state of Alaska. Last summer a project was completed linking the Railroad to Ted Stevens International Airport.

Timeline source: www.shgresources.com

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April 18, 2005 22:46 - Alaska Facts

Here are a few facts about Alaska you might find interesting.


1. Alaska is the U.S.'s largest state, over 586,000 square miles, and twice the size of Texas.

2. Alaska is 1,400 miles top to bottom.

3. It is 2,700 miles wide. East to West.

4. The state's coastline extends over 47,000 miles.

5. The Alaska State Park System covers 3.5 million acres making it the the largest park system in the United States.

6. The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States. It is located in Southeast Alaska.

7. 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the U.S. are located in Alaska.

8. Mt. McKinley is the highest point in North America, at 20,320 feet above sea level. Originally called Denali by the natives and later named for president McKinley. It is now the centerpiece of Denali National Park.

9. Alaska's state capital is Juneau, a city of 30,000 people located in southeast Alaska, and is only accessible by boat or plane.

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