Any Beckerheads in Alaska!

W

wrknives

Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Messages
572
IM GOIN TO ALASKA!!!:D Seriously though, I am going to an area around Anchorage to stay in a cabin for well... As long as I can. If you guys have any reccomendations on some good cold weather boots, and or jackets it would be greatly appreciated!
 
Last edited:
Paging NikkiR to thread 1102925! Nikki R to thread 1102925!

I've cruised around Alaska 2 times. Loved it both times but never stayed there for longer than 2 weeks. Plus it was a cruise so it was kind of the "Disney Version" of alaska. However what I did see what amazingly breathtaking!
 
When are you going? Southern Alaska is pretty mild for temperature, good breathability is good to have.

Any good quality boots and jackets should suffice, I preach and practice layering.
 
Talking about Alaska,you need to watch Alone in the Wilderness, great documentary of Dick Proenneke,man who spent senior years of his life alone in wooden cabin in Alaska. It's one of my favorite documentaries about
man and the nature,just astonishing.

http://dickproenneke.com/
 
I live on the same latitude as the northern tip of Alaska. And regarding cloths and boots I'd say that if you plan to hike outdoors in the winter time, I'd use layering as Skimo says. The upper body clothes needs to somehow trap air, that you warm up, to isolate your body. And the boots needs to be flexible enough that your feet can move when you walk, so your blood circulation never stops, and they need to isolate enough that air gets trapped, and the cold stays out. Once a body part loses circulation or activity, it will get cold, no matter what material used or how many layers it is.

The sami, the indigenous people in my region, use simple wool and leather shoes, stuffed with hey during the cold winter months. they're flexible enough that the feet never stops moving when they walk, and it's roomy enough that it isolates air, and keeps the worst of the cold out. The same principle should be used in modern day boots and clothing.
 
What month/months will you be here? I'm in Anchorage... don't own any Beckers... but still try to be helpful. :D
 
That's another good point, I forget sometimes that people from the south are mostly acclimated to warmer weather, don't forget a "survival kit" for your vehicle. Shovel, flares, radio/cell phone, sleeping bag etc. the roads are usually pretty well maintained and there's a decent amount of traffic, but it is entirely likely that if you drive into a storm and go off the road in the toolies that you'll be relying on someone's eyesight if there's no cell coverage and at night in a storm you'll want to stay warm.

If you plan on going out with vehicle or on foot you should carry something like SPOT.
 
That's another good point, I forget sometimes that people from the south are mostly acclimated to warmer weather, don't forget a "survival kit" for your vehicle. Shovel, flares, radio/cell phone, sleeping bag etc. the roads are usually pretty well maintained and there's a decent amount of traffic, but it is entirely likely that if you drive into a storm and go off the road in the toolies that you'll be relying on someone's eyesight if there's no cell coverage and at night in a storm you'll want to stay warm.

If you plan on going out with vehicle or on foot you should carry something like SPOT.
 
Wow, thanks for all the info guys! And I have watched alone in the wilderness, its one of the best! And I should be going December/January, so its probably gonna be pretty cold. I want to be prepared. And yeah man, doesnt matter if you own a becker eh! You are here righr? :D I am suppose to be staying in a small cabin with electric, but also a wood stove, so yeahh:)
 
I live in wasilla just north of anchorage and for boots a couple years ago I bought a pair of Irish setter 800 gram rut masters and absolutely love them and have kept my feet plenty warm even when I went out caribou hunting in negative 20. A lot of people use the arctic muck boots or bunny boots as well. Layers are essential because even though its cold out your body can still sweat and that will cool you off real quick.
 
Chameleonbear, I just got back a couple weeks ago, I am trying to travel to as many places as possible while I can, you know? Haha, I dont wsnt to stick in one place, and we decided Alaska would be an adventure. Andd, Domedayrockstar, we are trying for a place that is near Anchorage we found, but we are also looking at others.
 
Yaaaaay Alaska! I personally dig southern Alaska, Juneau/Haines area. Kenai and Soldotna are great fishing towns if you want to hit it up in the summer. Layers, layers, layers. I prefer layering wool, specifically smart wool. It's non itchy and super soft. Easy to wash as well. You're going to have a blast!
I'm so jealous! I also like the North Face McMurdo Parka. It's waterproof and easy to layer under......boots...something waterproof with liners and room to layer socks. And get something on yer head! I prefer smart wool on that one too....but when I lived there I had a Wolverine fur lined hat....that was pretty awesome. Oh yeah, watch out for wolverines.
 
Get a pair of surplus bunny boots:
220px-White_Bata_Bunny_Boots.jpg

They show up on Craigslist and are in several stores around town. If you have to spend any sustained time outside, that's one of the best answers to cold feet. And, you should be able to pick up a pair for less than $80-100 (if you spend near that you got ripped off).

Also, if you don't have good work gloves that are cold-weather, invest in a pair. I like what Cabelas has to offer, but there are other options. These are what I personally use and have zero complaints:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Clot...=SBC;MMcat104797080;cat105547680;cat104002380

Last December/January, we had a good snap down into the negative teens. Lasted about two weeks.
 
How about living expenses? Because we were originally looking at Ketchikan, but it was just too expensive, and not enough job or places for rent. the place we found near Anchorage is a good price, but we are tryng to find jobs lined up before we go.
 
There's jobs. What kind of work are you looking for? Also where you go will greatly depend on how many jobs and things. You say near anchorage. Where are you talking about? That will also contribute to the cost of living. Closer to town more jobs cheaper prices. Farther away less work higher prices.
 
Can someone PLEASE fix the thread title?!

ALASKA! Not alska!

Sorry, now back to our regularly scheduled programming... Thank you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top