Alaska Master Thread

[Moshe_N]

My family is going to be going to Alaska late August. Were for sure gonna go fishing and maybe glacier hiking. Anything there that are a must do? Best attractions?

[henche]

My family is going to be going to Alaska late August. Were for sure gonna go fishing and maybe glacier hiking. Anything there that are a must do? Best attractions?

Re fishing.  You will want to find out in advance when the salmon will be running in which areas (and which salmon).  And then confirm again before spending money on a charter or something. 

[Moshe_N]

Re fishing.  You will want to find out in advance when the salmon will be running in which areas (and which salmon).  And then confirm again before spending money on a charter or something.

Smart. Yeah we love catching. We hate fishing.

[Moshe_N]

also anywhere here every been to kenai, Alaska? If so best hotels? We're a group of 8

[Something Fishy]

also anywhere here every been to kenai, Alaska? If so best hotels? We're a group of 8

Lots of Kenai info in my trip report, and in YehudaS's.

I had an RV, so no hotel recommendations.

[dmdmoses46]

What's the best way to book to alaska with miles

[lubaby]

What's the best way to book to alaska with miles

http://www.awardhacker.com/

[Moshe_N]

Trying to buy waders for my family but they're all over $40, and to rent them is $30 per day... Anyone here know of a cheap place to buy them? *must have boots

[SSLPhD]

Trying to buy waders for my family but they're all over $40, and to rent them is $30 per day... Anyone here know of a cheap place to buy them? *must have boots

Have you tried calling the Walmart in Anchorage, or wherever you're flying into?  Personally, I wouldn't go cheap on something like that if you want to stay dry.

[Moshe_N]

Have you tried calling the Walmart in Anchorage, or wherever you're flying into?  Personally, I wouldn't go cheap on something like that if you want to stay dry.

Yeah already called them. They sell them for $60 each... and were a group of 8...

[SSLPhD]

Yeah already called them. They sell them for $60 each... and were a group of 8...

Alaska's expensive...  Are you sure the whole group will want to do more than one day of fishing?  The way I see it, either you won't catch (as was the case with me) and will want to do something else, or you'll catch and have enough to eat, and want to do something else.  (Or you really love the sport, and do catch-and-release, but if that's the case, just buy good ones.) There is so much more to do in Alaska than fish.

[aygart]

https://twitter.com/matthewfelling/status/920685748709462018

[GAM Z.]

https://twitter.com/matthewfelling/status/920685748709462018

Cool. Though, it's only because of islands, not the actual mainland.

[Something Fishy]

I had a long talk with the owner of Alaska Grizzly Safaris at a photo show last week. I know some here are interested in something like this, so here's the relevant info:

His lodge is between the McNeil River and Brooks Falls, so the best of both worlds. He has good access to the tidal flats as well if you want to watch the bears clamming. Additionally, he claims to have 'secret spots' where you could walk right up to the feeding bears. Trips start at $5k p/p, all-in, including daily bush flights as needed.

Most importantly, he is willing and able to accommodate Shabbos schedules, and will provide or accommodate whatever you need as far as kosher.

Reach him through his website or at JacquesAK@aol.com.

[whYME]

I had a long talk with the owner of Alaska Grizzly Safaris at a photo show last week. I know some here are interested in something like this, so here's the relevant info:

His lodge is between the McNeil River and Brooks Falls, so the best of both worlds. He has good access to the tidal flats as well if you want to watch the bears clamming. Additionally, he claims to have 'secret spots' where you could walk right up to the feeding bears. Trips start at $5k p/p, all-in, including daily bush flights as needed.

Most importantly, he is willing and able to accommodate Shabbos schedules, and will provide or accommodate whatever you need as far as kosher.

Reach him through his website or at JacquesAK@aol.com.

Uch. I hate you.

[SSLPhD]

I had a long talk with the owner of Alaska Grizzly Safaris at a photo show last week. I know some here are interested in something like this, so here's the relevant info:

His lodge is between the McNeil River and Brooks Falls, so the best of both worlds. He has good access to the tidal flats as well if you want to watch the bears clamming. Additionally, he claims to have 'secret spots' where you could walk right up to the feeding bears. Trips start at $5k p/p, all-in, including daily bush flights as needed.

Most importantly, he is willing and able to accommodate Shabbos schedules, and will provide or accommodate whatever you need as far as kosher.

Reach him through his website or at JacquesAK@aol.com.

Is the lodge in Katmai NP? 

For the starting price of $5k, are any nights included?

Is "walk[ing] right up" not discouraged? 

[Something Fishy]

Is the lodge in Katmai NP? 

For the starting price of $5k, are any nights included?

Is "walk[ing] right up" not discouraged?

The lodge is in Lake Clark NP.

"From the minute you're picked up in town to the moment you're dropped off you won't need to take out your wallet".

Depends on many factors, but in often they're too busy gorging themselves to notice.

[bem684]

A friend of mine has been RVing for the past 12 months with his family all over the western US, Canada, and Alaska.  He's also a professional photographer so he has some nice shots if you are interested in seeing them.  This link takes you to the day or two before they entered Alaska, but day 1 started in Monsey and there's a "Trip Map" page with an interactive google map so you can find any day from that map.

http://lookbeforeyoulive.com/?p=4770

Just an update...  My friend (Ben) has opened a business for running guided RV tours, as well as RV trip planning services.  He has tremendous RV experience and knows how to see and do a lot on a shoestring budget.  The website for the new business is http://koshersherpa.com/

[ludmila]

Just an update...  My friend (Ben) has opened a business for running guided RV tours, as well as RV trip planning services.  He has tremendous RV experience and knows how to see and do a lot on a shoestring budget.  The website for the new business is http://koshersherpa.com/

Checked his site, very interesting.

[Knak Yankel]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/me3k86qmphhqei0/Why%20the%20Northernmost%20Town%20in%20America%20Exists.mp4?dl=0