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Post by THE GOB-FATHER on Jul 10, 2013 13:11:05 GMT -5
Sounds like one heck of a trip Grizz! Wow how awesome is that!
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Post by grizz1 on Jul 10, 2013 23:35:00 GMT -5
Yes Terry I pushed the last button this evening, I'm worn out. Need someone like the Gobfather to run this computer, he could make it sing. There is even more to do now than when I went 3 or 4 years ago, paper work that is. Leave Kansas City on 9/4, get to Fairbanks that same evening. Early on 9/5 we start enjoying Alaska. Can't do it all but some white water rafting, river boat ride are on for the first day. When we reach Denali, probably get in on either a Wildlife tour or Photography shoot, I know I'm scheduled for a 6 hour tour in Denali park minimum. We will be there 2 days, has to be some great photo opts, may be inflight mosquitoes though. Will be going to many Glaciers , main ones at Glacier Bay. Week two will be at Haines where should get into a lot of wildlife, Eagles, Bears etc. Might go to Skagway while we are close then to Juneau and Ketchikan . Fly out of Vancouver the last day and head home for rest. If I'm thinking right the days should be about 14 hours of daylight that time of year, when I went before in July they were almost 20 hours long and it wore me out cause I vacationed like I was bow hunting, went at it from daybrak until dark. I'm hoping and praying that I can get all my photo gear through without any problems, sure dread that part of the trip. If I get there with it all, should come back with some nice photos and I'll share them with you all. In the meantime any suggestions from any world travelers will be appreciated. I've already done some weight checks and lets just say I'm overweight in many areas.
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Post by Kt29 on Jul 11, 2013 23:36:10 GMT -5
Thats great Steve. That will be a most memorable experience. Sounds like you have planning well in hand. Hopefully the skeeters will all be gone by than. Do you have a good camera bag? Lots of folks use them for a carry on so they don't have to let their equipment get stored. Can't wait to see your pics when you get back. Hopefully you will get one of those Grizz pics. What a great adventure.
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Post by grizz1 on Jul 12, 2013 23:41:50 GMT -5
Terry, I have 3 bags, a Lowepro, a Kato and a Case Logic. I use the Case Logic most of the time, it measures the maximum for airlines though and is over weight when loaded but I can get all my gear in it including laptop. I have not posed any questions on potn about this trip and probably won't but most of them say the weight is normally not a problem, just act like it's not heavy as you walk through the airport. I'm probably going to add another body so it will be even heavier. Thinking about packing all the chargers, batteries for flash, anything with wires,and some cleaning supplies in checked luggage along with mono pod and still thinking about the tripod, whether to take it or not.Plan to do a packing checklist and start weighing things soon as I will have to pay both ways for checked baggage. I have to pack for two locations, one set of luggage is going to Fairbanks the other to Seward and I need all the camera stuff in Fairbanks. One plan I have is to pack my lowepro camera bag with the batteries and chargers along with some clothing then pack it inside a larger checked bag, that way it will get there protected fairly well and I would have the smaller bag to use when hiking and running the rivers at Fairbanks. Also have a safari vest that I use as a photography vest, it has about 20 pockets and even a game bag on the back, will stuff it full and place in checked baggage. My Brother-in-law travels all over the World and he takes a a lot of computer gear and a printer where ever he goes. His tactic is to carry it all in a carry on much like my camera bag but he also carries a strong shopping bag like you can get at many grocery stores, he folds this up flat and places it in the carry on. In the event that he pulled aside for being too heavy he tells me to whip out the shopping bag, place all the items in it and hand them your back pack which he says they will give back at end of flight. He said he has had to do this twice, it works and they cause no more problems. He said he just doesn't like his 15 thousand dollar computer and printer in a grocery sack but it sure beats letting the airlines load it in the belly of the jet. He also laughed at me for even worrying about carrying my camera bag, said I would have no problem where I was going. The reason I am concerned is the fact that I really, really need to make all connections that day or it will cost me dearly to catch up later. I have plenty of time to catch other flights and a bus connection if I can just get through security and on the first airline. Couple of friends going too, Keith being one of them, may be able to get them to carry something for me. I can't do a trip like this very often so have to make the most out of it and sure don't want to leave any needed gear behind in Mo. One reason I'm rattling on like this is to throw it out there for suggestions if you might have any or anyone an expert on traveling with a lot of glass! I need to check the latest regs as my plans could change before I even start packing, haven't been on a flight for awhile.
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Post by grizz1 on Jul 28, 2013 22:46:49 GMT -5
This weekend we packed everything for a trial run. First time was a failure, over weight and not enough room, 2nd time we had bought a large piece of luggage, it too was a failure as we found out it is over sized. Finally settled on spending an extra 50 dollars and taking another bag. We are still under our limit in number but was trying to pack as light as possible. As they say 3rd time is the charm, so now we are ready to go as we were able to pack everything and be under weight. We then unpacked it, making a check list of everything then when our departure date nears we will repack and head North to Alaska. Will be flying out of KC to Denver then on to Fairbanks Ak arriving late that evening. The next morning at 7AM we are going to be on the Tanana River, taking a Stern wheeler to gold dredge #8. Pan for gold then head back for the motel late that evening. Next morning at 6AM catch a train for Denali and by 1PM I'm supposed to be white water rafting on the Nenana river. Going to try to get into the park some in the afternoon on my own. Next morning, 7am, bus takes us into the park, should be there for 8 hours, hope it is clear so we see Mt McKinley. Then long bus ride to Seward where we board the ship. Will be crossing the Gulf of Alaska for a day arriving at Haines 6am the next day. At 9 am going on a wildlife photo trip where there is a chance to see many of Alaska's big game animals. Also may catch another trip at 3 that afternoon , back at sea by 9 pm. Many other places to stop along the way and things to do but I'll be slowing down by then, enjoying the ride and eating Salmon every chance I get. Some friends think I'm crazy for going on a trip to Alaska where it may be cold and raining but I've been checking the weather there each day and so far it is warmer in Fairbanks then Northern Mo. As I write this message it is 56 degrees where I live and it is 77 degrees in Fairbanks. The weather is really mixed up this year and it has been for several days now.
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Post by LongSpur39 on Aug 8, 2013 18:15:22 GMT -5
Man sounds exciting!! Keep us posted on your travels. And have a safe trip. Can't wait to see pics!!
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