Alaska Master Thread

[Something Fishy]

I'm interested in going to Alaska next week. Does anyone know if there are set minyanim that I can rely on?

I have a minyan at Alyeska till Monday. Feel free to join.

[usernane]

Are there any Minyan in Alaska this week

[ad120]

We (2 guys) will IYH be arriving in to Anchorage on Sunday at 11:30 AM and will be departing on Thursday at 10:00 P.M.

1) What are the must do's and see's in Alaska on a budget?
2) Which tour experiences (if any) must be done and with which operator?
3) Which specific parks should be visited and which hiking trails should be taken?


TIA

[ad120]

Day 01: Sunday August 23, 2020
Arrived on SY 471 @ 10:15 AM.
We registered with the State and provided proof of a test taken within 72 hours. You honestly could've typed up an email by yourself. We then picked up a red Hyandai Santa Fe from National (No Emerald Aisle). Stopped in Costco for some food. Picked up our Walmart Grocery Order. Went to the diamond center Mall next door to buy a jacket. From there we drove to Matanuska Glacier for our 4 PM tour with Mica Guides ($117/PP). You technically can pay just $30 to get in and hike the glacier yourself. You need to rent crampons and know what you are doing or you can fall and injure yourself real bad or worse. There is no one around to help. So you really need to take the tour. The guides of this tour company are from the lower 48 and don't get paid; they rely on tips. They do this job because they are passionate about the outdoors and therefore make for excellent guides. As there are no words to describe the views I will post pictures.

[lakewood34]

Why do you think they don't get paid?
I used them 2 weeks ago and I did tip because my guide was very good but where did you get from that they don't get paid?

[travellove]

If the guide doesn't get paid, what are you being charged fro? Entry fee alone is $25-$30. What's the rest for? 

[ad120]

If the guide doesn't get paid, what are you being charged fro? Entry fee alone is $25-$30. What's the rest for? 

Why do you think they don't get paid?
I used them 2 weeks ago and I did tip because my guide was very good but where did you get from that they don't get paid?

The guides are given a $500 monthly stipend to spend on food. When you pay $79, your paying the tour company.

[ad120]

We are back in ANC for the night.
We want to drive down and hit Girdwood, Portage, Seward, and Whittier.
Any budget minded recommendations?

[Something Fishy]

No idea what Valpak is, but the coupon worked great:

https://majormarine.com/valpak/

[lakewood34]

No idea what Valpak is, but the coupon worked great:

https://majormarine.com/valpak/

yes somebody else posted about it earlier and i just gave them the code val on the phone and it saved me 30 percent. I owe a thank you to that poster ( i don't remember who it was ) for saving me a nice chunk of change.
We were very fortunate that we took the tour on a day that the offshore whales came in. Apparently that takes place approx. twice a year.
Although the near shore whales go in small groups the offshore whales go in large pods .It was not possible to count them as they were spread over a nice size area but there were prob. in the vicinity of 30- 40 whales. We saw multiple breaches (where the whale jumps totally out of the water ) and at one point a few of the whales came right up to the boat and you could hear them snorting or whatever you call the sound they make. You know it's something special when the whole crew is on the deck and filming with their smartphones .

[dansdealsfan5]

yes somebody else posted about it earlier and i just gave them the code val on the phone and it saved me 30 percent. I owe a thank you to that poster ( i don't remember who it was ) for saving me a nice chunk of change.
We were very fortunate that we took the tour on a day that the offshore whales came in. Apparently that takes place approx. twice a year.
Although the near shore whales go in small groups the offshore whales go in large pods .It was not possible to count them as they were spread over a nice size area but there were prob. in the vicinity of 30- 40 whales. We saw multiple breaches (where the whale jumps totally out of the water ) and at one point a few of the whales came right up to the boat and you could hear them snorting or whatever you call the sound they make. You know it's something special when the whole crew is on the deck and filming with their smartphones .

I'll take the ht for the coupon - was posted here https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=118247.msg2292457#msg2292457 . Glad that you all enjoyed.

SF - didnt you go to Prince William and not to Seward?

[Something Fishy]

SF - didnt you go to Prince William and not to Seward?

Did PWS twice this summer and Seward once.

[lakewood34]

I'll take the ht for the coupon - was posted here https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=118247.msg2292457#msg2292457 . Glad that you all enjoyed.

SF - didnt you go to Prince William and not to Seward?

yes thanks I just reread your post  .I found exit glacier to be a pass you can't get close to it any more. Years ago you were able to go right up to the glacier but it has receded so much that you aren't even close.unless you did the hike up to the ice field i see no reason to go

[travellove]

Did PWS twice this summer and Seward once.

After doing both cruises, which one would you recommend? 

[Something Fishy]

After doing both cruises, which one would you recommend?

PWS:
Pros: crazy smooth water (relative to Seward) more convenient (unless you're going to Seward anyway), two extremely active and close tidewater glaciers, way more glaciers in general, waterfalls, and closer, more distinct landscape.
Cons: not a whole lot of wildlife, faster boat so extremely windy in the bow.

Seward (Kenai Fjord trips):
Pros: tons of wildlife, more varied landscape, slower boat so the bow is often comfortable, ticks off a National Park box.
Cons: Weather is typically quite horrible, and seasickness could pretty much be guaranteed. Only one tidewater glacier, and not quite as active as PWS.

[travellove]

I had no issues with sea sickness out of Seward. Don't you think if you've seen one glacier you've seen em all? (perhaps I'm just trying to excuse myself for not going from PWS)

[Something Fishy]

United added ANC-FAI flights, looks like summer only.

In other weird news, United is now selling AS flights, but looks like rev only:

[DoubleU]

Hi, I’m looking to go to Alaska the last week of January for 3 days.
I would like to see the Northern Lights. I’ll head to Fairbanks for that.
Question is, should I stay in Fairbanks for a few days, anything else to
do there this time of year or should I head to anchorage for some activities.
How are the roads in Fairbanks, safe to drive there or should I take a guide?

[jose34]

How long does it take for a purchase of Alaska miles to post?

[Something Fishy]

Pretty sweet:

https://onemileatatime.com/american-airlines-787-alaska/

United also has PS service scheduled for the direct EWR-ANC this summer, so looks like some actual good options this year.