Well, with any luck we'll be about 6 months behind you. Although probably won't be doing any kayaking. Currently #3 on the waiting list (already moved up from #5) for the Alcan 5000 Winter Rally. Similar route up to Tuk, but then heads over to Fairbanks and then down to Anchorage. An ex-member (maybe still, just not active -Otis the Porsche) is signed up.

Going up the Cassiar through BC is beautiful, just bring a lot insect repellent that time of year. Sounds like a fun trip, lots of miles.

Yes; a whole lot of miles in a relatively short amount of time. Around 300 - 450 miles/day on average.

Therefore, one of the requirements of all participants is a wristwatch. A cell phone IS NOT a wristwatch, nor a substitute for a wristwatch. A clock on your dash is not a substitute for a wristwatch. There will be definite "wheels rolling" times in the morning, and appointed times when we're rolling after a gas stop or meal break (not "when everyone is ready to go") otherwise we'll never make it.

Email me for more information paul.r.dickinson@att.net

I submitted an event notice so folks can start signing up. PLEASE email me at paul.r.dickinson@att.net if you're signing up (or even thinking of signing up) so I can send you the list of vehicle requirements, gear requirements, and mental preparation requirements. I want to front-load attendees with information about requirements (and recommendations) and what to expect so there's no missunderstandings before or once we get going and are on the road. This will be a hard trip with long days, but will be worth it in the end. You'll be able to point to the top of a globe and say "I was there".

This looks to be an epic journey. I won't be able to attend this year, but it is certainly on my bucket list.

I am going to Issaqua (WA) Tuesday to buy a dry suit for kayaking in the Arctic Ocean (at Kayak Academy - I hope they have my size). Having a kayak is not a requirement for this trip; think of it as icing on the cake once we get to Tuk to be able to say you kayaked in the Arctic Ocean.

Update: They didn't have my exact size (I needed a larger sock size) so they ordered one - I should have it in 3 - 5 weeks. It came out to a bit under $600 after the cash and military discount. I guess if I have to use it even once in the water it will be worth it. I'm pretty sure the Arctic Ocean is chilly.

I've had a couple folks expressing interest in running the Dempster with us. Great! That's the whole reason I planned this trip for the NWOL. PLEASE email me (paul.r.dickinson@att.net) if you're interested so I can send you the trip information packet (and keep you updated as we get closer to the departure date). This is going to be a hard-and-fast trip (5,000 miles in 18 days), so I need to make sure everyone knows what to expect, is prepared, and we're all of the same mindset as to what a typical day on the road will be like. I don't want anyone to say "this isn't what I expected". August will be here before we know it.

And for the record, kayaking is totally optional for this event. The main goal of this trip is to run the full length of the Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean; tossing a kayak in the Arctic Ocean is just icing on the cake - a bonus if you will. You don't have to bring a kayak on this trip. But if you want to, that's great. Some folks might want to do a "polar plunge" in the Arctic water, some might want to kayak a bit; and some might just want to just dip their toe in the Arctic waters just to say they made it. Others might be happy just taking a picture of themselves there. Whatever you want to do once we're there is up to you. The fun will be getting there. The scenery is spectacular, there should be tons of wildlife, and it will be an adventure to remember.

So we're about four months from the departure date (which is 16 August). I'll be arriving in Bellingham the evening of 15 August so we'll be ready the next morning to do vehicle inspections, hand out trip packets, and hit the road! I've been getting some little things ready for the trip, buying a few things I've been wanting and using this trip as an excuse to get them, etc.

Please email me at (paul.r.dickinson@att.net) if you're interested in going or have any questions (put something like "Actic Ocean Trip" in the subject line) and I'll send you the information packet. This trip is designed for folks that can't take months off from work but still want to "Do the Dempster" without having to wait till they retire. Let's do this! I'm excited.

And the 2019 edition of the Milepost book is out. Get one for the trip!

This sounds like an awesome trip! We are going up to Alaska via Cassiar for most of July 2019. Here is a look at our route.

We are super stoked as this has been a bucket list item for many years! We will be taking our travel trailer and dually - glamping so to speak.

We have the Milepost 2019 and I'm already geeking out with highlighting and putting tabs on pages.

Here's the route from Bellingham to Tuk:

We will leave Bellingham, WA on Friday morning, 16 August 2019 (some of us will be getting up there the night before and getting a room). We will take the eastern route to the border crossing at Sumas, then up to 1, and then on 1 going up to Hope to catch 5, and continue north on 5 to Tete Jaune Cache at 16. Then west on 16 (Yellow Head Highway) to Prince George, where we will catch 97 north (West Access Route) which will bring us to Dawson Creek (the start of the Alaska Highway!). From Dawson Creek we will follow 97 (Alaska Highway) up to Watson Lake. From Watson Lake, we’ll head to Whitehorse on 1, and then just north of Whitehorse we’ll catch 2 (Klondike Highway) and take it all the way to Dawson City (Dawson City is right outside the beginning of the Dempster Highway). In Dawson City we will do our final restocking/gassing-up before heading up the Dempster Highway. I’m figuring five days (six max) to run up and back down the Dempster (about 600 miles up, and 600 miles back down to Dawson City again). There will be two free ferry crossings on the Dempster Highway to Tuk. Once started on the Dempster Highway, the first place to get gas (or anything) is at the 225-mile point at Eagle Plains. The Arctic Circle is just north of Eagle Plains. Your vehicle will get filthy running the Dempster Highway. Your MPG will suck. And it will be awesome!

The Dempster Highway ends at Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada. We will camp there, explore the area, and those that brought them will put our kayaks in the Beaufort Sea. This is a bucket-list trip. Enjoy it!

Here's the return trip route from Tuk back to Bellingham:

We will return to down the Dempster Highway from Tuk to Dawson City to restock and clean-up before heading back down to Whitehorse on 2 (Klondike Highway), and then take 1 to Watson Lake.

At Watson Lake, we will change directions. Instead of going the way we came, we will head down towards Prince George on 37 (Cassiar Highway). 37 will take us to Kitwanga, where we will pick up 16 (Yellowhead Highway) heading east to Prince George at 97, and then take 97 south to Cache Creek where it turns into 1. We’ll continue south on 1 which brings us back down to Hope, and then back to the border crossing at Sumas and to Bellingham WA by no later than Monday, 2 Sep (Labor Day). I’m planning about 400 miles driving/day (+/-) when not on the Dempster Highway.

The route will be roughly 2500 miles each way (5000 miles total round trip), with about 1200 miles of that (600 miles up, and 600 miles back down) being the Dempster Highway. Other than the Dempster Highway, the route should be essentially paved. We will have 18 days from start to finish. At least for the first half, we will be kinda pushing it time-wise. After we return to Dawson City from running the Dempster, we will reassess how we’re doing for time, and how fast or slow we need to go to get back to WA in time.

The 2019 edition of the Milepost is out (I've got my issue). It is updated annually, and this is the latest version. This will be our guide book during the trip. This is the book we will be referencing prior to departure, and during the trip. And it truly is the Bible for travel in western Canada and Alaska. I would strongly urge anyone going on this trip (or any trip in this region) to purchase a copy (~$30 or so - not expensive). I ordered mine off Amazon, but most book stores should have a copy (or can get it for you).