Hiking with your Dog in National Parks and Forests

We love hiking with Roxanne.  Unfortunately, most U.S. national parks prohibit dogs on their hiking trails.   While there are a few exceptions, national parks only allow dogs to walk within 100 feet of paved roads and on paved paths.  All pets must be secured in the vehicle, a crate, or on a leash at all times.

Dave and Rox hiking a paved path at Glacier National Park in 2010.

So where do we hike with Rox?  Dogs are allowed to hike with you freely in national forests, national grasslands, bureau of land management parcels, national monuments, national historic parks, and most national wildlife refuges.  As a result, we often camp in these areas.  Also, because national parks are often surrounded by national forest land, we plan special day hikes outside of the national parks on forest trails.

To make sure that your pet is welcome on any trail, either check at the local visitor's center or go online to view park regulations.

Hiking with your dog in bear country requires additional considerations.  In next week's post, we will address camping and hiking in bear country.

Camping in Hot Weather with Your Dog

While the cool summer weather in Alaska makes it substantially easier to travel with a pet, there are times when we camp with Roxanne even when temperatures soar.  How do we keep her cool?

We are fortunate that Roxanne loves water.  We carry a blow-up swimming pool when camping in hot weather (and a portable air compressor to blow it up!).  We place the pool on top of a tarp to prevent punctures.  Rox will literally lay in the pool for hours to keep herself cool.

Rox "cooling her jets" while camping in nearly 100 degree weather this June.  

When the pool is not available, we often must find others ways to cool Rox, particulary while we sleep.   The most effective way that we have found is to use a water bladder (see http://www.rei.com/product/733948/msr-dromedary-bag-10-liter).  We fill the bladder with ice and place it on her belly (because that is where her fur is the most thin).  Rox loves it!  When her belly gets too cold, she will move to another area.  But she comes back to lay on the bladder when she becomes hot again.  If your dog dislikes cold compresses, dip a towel in cold water and place it on your dog's belly.

Dogs actually do sweat, however, it is through limited sweat glands located on their foot pads.  Obviously, this is hardly enough area to cool a 100-pound dog!  Because dogs cool themselves primarily through panting and breathing, we limit Roxanne's exercise in hot weather.  If we hike (more of a stroll) in extremely hot weather, it is always along a stream so that she can take a swim to cool herself whenever she feels like it.

Of course, we also offer plenty of water for her to drink (sometimes adding ice to make it even more enticing).

Because Goldens have two layers of fur, it is essential to groom out Rox's undercoat each summer.  We use a horse curry comb to do this.  We have never shaved one of our Goldens because of sunburn and temperature control concerns.

Additionally, don't be surprised if your dog drops off on his or her eating during your camping trip.  Roxanne rarely eats more than a third of her usual amount of kibble when camping in extremely hot weather.

Traveling with your pet in hot weather requires tremendous diligence on your part.  Please NEVER leave your child or pet in a parked car during even warm weather.  As we mentioned in the post below, temperatures soar so quickly inside a vehicle.    Even mild sunny days can be dangerous.  As an example, on a 70-degree day, temperatures can soar to 100-120 degrees inside a vehicle.  On a 90-degree day, temperatures can soar to 160 degrees in less than ten minutes.

Remember, it is OUR responsibility to protect these loving and vulnerable creatures.

Roxanne and Road Trips

As most of you know by now, Roxanne is our traveling buddy.  Keeping this loveable, 100-pound Golden Retriever safe and happy is critical to us.  Traveling with a pet requires added responsibility and preplanning, however, we have found it to be well worth the effort to be able to have her with us.

Roxanne during our trip up the Haul Road in 2010.

To enter Canada, Roxanne must have a vaccination certification and health certificate issued by her vet within 30 days prior to crossing the border.  (See http://www.resteddoginn.ca/guidelines.php).  Additionally, Rox always receives a bordatella (kennel cough) vaccination prior to our departure in case of an emergency requiring that she be boarded.  Note:  We had absolutely no difficulty crossing in or out of Canada with Roxanne.  When we offered our passports for review, we also gave the guards Roxanne's health certificate.  All of the border guards were most kind about our traveling with her.

For safety while driving, Roxanne wears a harness that is attached with a carabiner to the Xterra’s overhead seat belt.  This allows her to roam somewhat freely in the rear cargo area without becoming tangled. 

To help Rox jump in and out of the truck, she uses an Otto Step (http://www.ottostep.com/origin.html), which slides into the trailer hitch. 

If we leave Roxanne alone in the vehicle, it is only for a short period on cold days (below 60 degrees), and we check her frequently.  We always park the vehicle in the shade.  Rather than cracking the window, we use expandable car window vents (see http://www.jefferspet.com/car-window-vent/p/0027151/ ).  The vents are quick to install, provide ventilation, and offer additional security.  (Please remember how fast the temperature inside your vehicle can soar.  Even mild sunny days can be dangerous.  As an example, on a 70-degree day, temperatures can soar to 100-120 degrees inside a vehicle.  On a 90-degree day, temperatures can soar to 160 degrees in less than ten minutes.  Please NEVER leave your child or pet alone in a car on even on a warm day!)

When camping in bear country, we keep Rox’s kibble in two Bear Vault food containers, each lined with OP Sak odor protection bags.  Because bears seem to have a penchant for dog food, this offers a measure of protection for all of us.  In the SUV, we carry a water jug, collapsible water bowl, and a sealable plastic container sufficient for a two-day supply of food for daily feedings.

Dogs can easily bruise their pads while hiking on rough ground.  We learned this the hard way after hiking a dry riverbed with Dixie, our second Golden.  The poor baby ended belly up in the back of the truck with hot and swollen pads.  To decrease the possibility of stone bruising, we try to roughen Rox’s pads by increasing our walks and having her fetch balls on concrete prior to leaving for any hiking-oriented trip. 

We always pack lace-up leather booties for Rox to wear on rough terrain.  While she doesn’t like them very much, they do offer sufficient protection from lengthy sections of sharp stones or frozen trails.   If you plan to walk your dog in deep snow, there are other varieties of booties that work better in extreme cold.  (For more info and a photo of Rox in her booties, see http://roxannedogblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/dog-booties.html.  To view a selection of additional dog bootie styles, see http://www.rei.com/search?cat=40005508 .)  Dog packs and special water bottles are also available for long hikes and backpacking.

After once ending up at a vet’s office because she ripped out a toenail during a hike, we closely clip Rox’s nails prior to any hiking trip.  Of course, we keep a first aid kit handy and carry information for dog CPR and other pet-related medical emergencies.  For more information on canine first aid, check out this invaluable book:  Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.

Additionally, we keep essential dog equipment in the truck.  We include a retractable 16’ lead, short lead, backpacking bed, brush, horse curry comb (for her undercoat), scissors to remove the inevitable burs, dog shampoo, super absorbent towel, heart worm medication, and flea and tick control.  Of course, we include any additional medication needs, a toy or two, and a few snacks.

Keeping Rox clean was an interesting challenge in Alaska.   We were delighted to discover that there were many dog wash establishments.  These facilities provided large aluminum tubs with warm water and spray nozzles to wash your dog.  Rox simply walked up the ramp and into the tub.  The facility provided shampoo, towels, and even blow dryers, and offered the option of my bathing her for a decreased cost.  Sleeping with a clean dog was a true blessing!

I believe that Roxanne’s training is one of the most essential factors in keeping her safe when she travels with us.  She is very obedient, having successfully completed several training programs, including receiving her Canine Good Citizen certification.  After years of our working together, Rox walks off lead with more control than most dogs do on lead.  She observes strange animals rather than chasing or barking, which is extremely helpful when we are in close proximity to wild critters.

Additionally, her Canine Good Citizen certificate has persuaded more than one reluctant hotel owner to allow her into their establishment.  Her service jacket has allowed her to enter many facilities ordinarily off limits to pets. 

We always let people know that Roxanne is in service to others rather than to us (she visits the elderly).  This is critical information because by law a service animal is any animal trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability.  Only animals meeting these requirements are allowed to enter facilities where they are prohibited. 

Roxanne does not strictly qualify as a service dog because she is not in service to either David or me.  Therefore, whether she is allowed on certain premises is at the discretion of the facility caretakers.  On many occasions, however, Roxanne has been welcomed, partly because of her certification and service jacket and mostly because of her calm and obedient demeanor.

If you a traveling with your pet for the first time, please check out this handy guide:  http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/~/media/files/pet-care/images-misc-sizes/rdtrip_edu.pdf

Traveling the Haul Road and the Dempster Highways (Part 3)

Please welcome guest commentator, David Staat, as he continues his evaluation of the Dalton (Haul Road) and Dempster Highways...

To me, the Dalton and Dempster each have a different feel to them.  The Dalton feels like a working road for the pipeline and oil fields, especially after leaving Coldfoot.  (This is no surprise because it was built for that reason.)  The Dempster connects communities as well as the oil fields.  Because of this, it feels more hospitable in every way.

On the Dalton, there are very few communities along its route that are what I call "multi dimensional."  Just north of the Yukon River crossing, the Hotspot is an open-air restaurant that serves great hamburgers, a bit of attitude, and has a camp feel to it.

Nolan and Wiseman are very interesting towns to visit and have some very nice B&Bs available (advanced reservations are highly recommended).  For the most part, the inhabitants along the Haul Road live in camps rather than communities, each designed to service the oil fields and pipeline, offering a few hotels, restaurants, and amenities to cater to that business. 

Marion Campground just north of Coldfoot is a well-maintained and beautiful camping area.  The Arctic Circle campground, however, was disappointing.  It felt more like the camp sites were just carved into the area.  It could be, however, that our opinions were swayed because we arrived after a heavy rain and were deluged with mosquitos.

At the end of the Dalton you will find Deadhorse.  Deadhorse is definitely more of a camp than a town, with very few amenities for casual visitors.  There is no camping available, and the motels remain quite full with oil field workers.  We were unable to find accommodations on our arrival (mainly because we had the dog).  Thankfully, folks at the Arctic Caribou Inn allowed us to dine in their cafeteria and spend the night, sleeping in the back of the Xterra, in their parking lot.  This was a good solution for us.

Sightseeing Opportunities

Having worked in industry for 35 years, the technology and challenges of extracting oil from such a harsh environment as the north slope was very interesting to me. I also enjoyed seeing that against the expansive Alaskan beauty.  We were able to take a guided tour of some of the oil field areas around Deadhorse and to the Arctic Ocean (tickets purchased at the Arctic Caribou Inn).

In contrast to the Haul Road, the Dempster feels more like a road that connects multidimensional communities, as well as servicing the Canadian oil fields to the north. There is a strong presence of the First Nation people along the road.  Lots of subsistence hunting and fishing are visible as well as small businesses and services to support the road traffic.

In Fort McPherson there is a small museum and a First Nation company that manufactures canvas articles from tents to hand bags. There are campgrounds strategically places along the 460-mile route, most with hot showers. 

Eagle Plains was built as an oasis for not only truckers, but also the variety of travelers plying the road.  It has a hotel, restaurant, auto shop, and camp ground.  

There are old communities established years before the road was build along the Dempster that served as trading posts. Fort McPherson, Tsligehtchic, and Inuvik are examples. Each offers modest grocery and dry good stores, gas stations, schools, community center, places to eat, and worship. There is more of a variety of small businesses in these communities.  It was a pleasure learning about the history of this area and meeting so many wonderful people.  Additionally, Inuvick offered both boat and air tours highlighting the surrounding wildlife and terrain.  

Road Conditions

Before leaving to travel either of these two roads, it is wise to stop at a visitor or information center to inquire about road conditions, where roadwork is being performed, and any changes in available services.  Often there is information about where animals can be seen, great places to visit, and lodging availability.  It is wise to book your lodging ahead of time and very few take pets.  For the Dalton Highway, Fairbanks is a great place to stop for information.  For the Dempster, it is Dawson City in the Yukon.

There are also a few information centers along both roads worth visiting, especially if you’re looking to see large animals.  These centers can be identified in the Milepost.  If you run into any of the truckers along your trip, they can be a wealth of information also and most of them are willing to share that with you.

Gasoline Considerations

It is important to know how far you can go on a tank of gas.  Along the Dalton Highway, there are only three gas stops from the start to end.  One is at the Yukon River Crossing.  The second is in Coldfoot.   Coldfoot is half way up the Dalton, about 185 miles from Livengood, which is the last gas stop out of Fairbanks before you enter the Dalton.  The other stop is in Deadhorse. 

Coldfoot is 240 miles from Deadhorse (at the end).  Deadhorse also has a place to get gas.  Be aware that the gas pump is unmanned but will take credit cards. You also need to be sure to place the spill catchers under where you are fueling your car to catch any gasoline spill. It is required and part of the environmental protection program.

On the Dempster there is a gas stop just before you get on the highway. The next station is in Eagle Plains, 230 miles from the junction.  Eagle Plains also has a maintenance shop with a mechanic on duty.  He can do minor vehicle repair, although parts are limited and may need to be trucked in for you.  It is 226 miles from Eagle Plains to Inuvik.  There are gas stops in Fort McPherson, which is 115 miles north of Eagle Plains, and in Inuvik, which is another 115 miles north of there.

Some of the articles recommended that we take extra gas, and there were some folks that we saw along the road that did.  Some take extra gas for cost reasons (because it is expensive on the Dempster) and some for insurance.  We had the Milepost that gave us specific information about distances between gas stops, and we had a good understanding of our vehicle’s driving distant on a tank of gas, so we didn’t take extra gas.  However, we did make it a practice to stop at every gas stop along both roads and fill up, even if we just added a ¼ of a tank.

The road surface on both roads varies.  The beginning and ending of each has some hard surface, either paved or chip seal, which makes for a relative smooth ride reaching speeds up to 50 miles an hour but this was rare and short lived. The rest of the road is gravel which turns to slippery mud when it is wet. I found it helpful to slow down and take time when the road was wet.  Occasionally there were the remains of vehicles along each road, evidence of how treacherous these roads can be, especially going up through the mountains.

When crossing Atigun Pass on the Dalton, the guard rails are doubled, one behind the other for extra protection from sliding off the road.  There are the remains of an 18-wheeler down a steep embankment on the south approach to Atigun pass, a monument to how trecherous this stretch of road can be.  

On the Dempster, about 15 miles out of Eagle Plains on our way back, it was rainy and very slippery. I had the Xterra in 4WD and dropped our speed to about 10 miles an hour. A Subaru that left before we did from Eagle Plains ended up in the ditch.  Apparently the driver was going too fast for conditions.   Luckily, a trucker stopped and was pulling him out when we passed.

The condition of these roads changes quickly.  A dry gravel stretch can turn into rough road with deep holes.  Hitting these holes at high speed could do significant damage. I also heard a story about a traveler who broke down along the Dalton who paid $10,000 for a tow back to Fairbanks.  I can’t stress enough how careful one needs to be while driving these roads. Take your time, pull over for the trucks, and drive wisely, especially on the wet roads.

A Final Note

When you come to the end of either of these roads, you will probably need to wash you vehicle.  For the Daulton, Fairbanks offers a wide verity of car wash options.  For the Dempster, there are a few places. One is at the gas station at the beginning of the road.  There is also a car wash in Inuvik. Remember to clean the excess mud from the wheels (both inside and outside), as it will cause wheel vibration as chunks come off on the highway.

If you would like to read about our experience on the Haul Road and Dempster, please check our posts from July 21 "The Haul Road" and September 4 "Savoring the Dempster."

Traveling the Haul Road and the Dempster Highways (Part 2)

Please welcome guest commentator, David Staat, as he continues his analysis of the Dalton (Haul Road) and Dempster Highways...


Communications and Navigation

Traveling over 19,000 miles during our 105-day adventure provided plenty of communication and navigation challenges.  Traveling the Dalton and Dempster required specific needs.

One of the Dalton articles suggested taking a CB radio.  I had some hand-held radios but they didn’t work effectively.  Having the CB radio capability would have enabled us to communicate with the truckers, especially during the inclement weather that we encountered.  Also it would have been fun to listen to the chatter and would have enhanced the trip.  I have purchased a CB for my next trip.

Cell phones don’t work while traveling the Dalton and Dempster, although I was surprised that my Verizon cell worked in Deadhorse at the end of the Dalton Highway, and in Inuvik, which is the end of the Dempster. If you want or need this additional level of security, you can rent a satellite phone in Fairbanks.

One additional communications/safety device that we brought with us was a Spot-Tracker.  (See http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php.)  This little device works off of satellites and allows you to log your location anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere as well as many other places in the world.  You can communicate your position to a list of family and friends.  Then, using Google Earth, they can see where you are.  

Every evening, I would send a signal of our location so that our family members and friends could track our progress. It was a great way to share our trip.  (In case of a family emergency, it also offered our loved ones our exact location so that they could notify us through proper law enforcement agencies.)  

In addition, Spot Tracker offers emergency response and help dispatch services. If you get lost or have a life-threatening situation, you just press the SOS button and the Spot Tracker center will dispatch search and rescue.  If you have a break down or just need general help, you push the Help button, and they will dispatch either family members or road service to help.   All the services need to be set up via Internet in advance, so if you want to use this great little device, you need to set it up before you leave for your trip.

For navigation we decided to come into the technology age and bought a Garmin GPS.  It was very helpful for finding our way and identifying services along the road.  However, some of the maps were not up-to-date and some roads that we traveled didn’t exist on the GPS.  We found that using an old fashion map gave us the extra information that we needed to keep from getting lost…most of the time. We used a combination of maps that we picked up from AAA and those we picked up locally.  The local maps were readily available in many of the visitor centers along the trip.

Another invaluable instrument was our compass.  The one that comes with the Xterra came in handy validating directions against the GPS or map.

Mental Preparation

No matter where I drive, I have learned that so much of staying out of trouble and avoiding accidents while driving is having the right mental attitude.  Stay focused on driving, reduce speed according to weather and road conditions, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, keep an eye out for large animals, etc.  However, I found that while driving the Dalton and Dempster, there is an added dimension that needed to be considered. 

The Dalton was built to service the oil business along the Alaskan pipeline and the North Shore.  The haul trucks have the right of way.  I considered myself a guest on the Haul Road.  It was recommended in many articles to slow down and pull over to give the trucks plenty of space to get by.  This also cuts down on the damage to your vehicle and windshield from rocks.  Although our vehicles have received more damage from debris on Houston interstates, it is still very good advice and worth reinforcing.  Additionally, we discovered that by offering the courtesy of slowing down and giving the working rigs the right of way, that the truckers would often give us the same courtesy.  They, too, would slow down, resulting in our being washed in much less debris, mud, and water.

Know the limits of your vehicle.  Acknowledge your own limitations.  The Haul Road is for working rigs rather than tourist traffic.  Be prepared, plan ahead, and be courteous.  Keeping these things in mind will allow you to enjoy the Haul Road without interfering with the folks making their living on this tremendous stretch of road.

The Dempster Highway connects communities as well as the oil industry.  Canada encourages tourists to travel the Dempster.   While your travel preparations remain essential and courtesy is recommended, the Dempster offers the additional opportunity to savor this unique landscape, incredible wildlife, and rich First Nation culture and its intriguing people.

In our next post, David continues his analysis of driving the Haul Road and Dempster.

Traveling the Haul Road and the Dempster Highways (Part 1)

Please welcome guest commentator, David Staat...

A trip up either Alaska's Dalton (Haul Road) or Canada's Dempster Highway is not a trivial event. Both roads are over 400 miles long, much of which is gravel and, in some places, very rough. A reasonable amount of preparation is recommended for a successful trip.  The next several posts are intended to document some of the things we did in preparation and what we learned after traveling both the Haul Road and Dempster.

For your initial preparation, I suggest reading “The Dalton Highway,” by the Bureau of Land Management.  You can download a copy at the following site: http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/recreation/dalton_hwy.html.

The second invaluable tool for your preparation is the Alaskan Travel Planner, Milepost. This book is a mile-by-mile reference for those who are traveling in North/West Canada and Alaska.  It contains an in-depth section on both the Dalton and Dempster highways.   For more information, visit http://www.themilepost.com/

Below are some additional insights and suggestions.  I am not suggesting deviating from the advice from the BLM or Milepost.  We, however, did a few things differently, so I am including my thinking in this piece for further consideration.

Transportation Preparation

During my career, I spent a long time as a reliability professional in manufacturing and did a lot of statistical work on probability of failure.  For me, investing in quality equipment and operating it within the design parameters reduced failures and resulted in needing fewer spare parts and lower maintenance cost.  A good maintenance and repair plan is also important.

I took this same approach prior to traveling the Dalton and Dempster.  Both highways have limited resources to deal with transportation problems, so it is important that your vehicle is in good mechanical condition prior to your trip.

We travelled in a 2007 Xterra, Off Road model.  The vehicle was 3-½ years old at the time and had about 45,000 miles on it, so it was relatively new and in good shape.  Since we were driving from Houston, Texas, to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, I knew that we would be putting a lot of miles on our vehicle. Also we tend to get off the beaten path where help isn’t normally available, so I wanted to do a thorough inspection of my vehicle before we left.

I did my own visual inspection under the hood and under carriage of the vehicle, looking for damaged hoses, belts, and electrical harnesses. I was also looking for fluid leaks, especially from the cooling, lubrication, and power steering systems.  I also checked all the lights to make sure they worked and the fuse box to make sure there were extra fuses if needed.  I also took the vehicle to a service center that I trusted and asked them to do a thorough inspection.  This cost me a little extra money, but I wanted another set of trained eyes looking for potential problems.

All of the information I read about traveling the Haul Road recommended having good tires.  I agree… having good tires is a must. Since our Alaska trip would take us mostly on paved roads, I wanted a tire that would have minimal road noise but be tough enough for those eventual unpaved forest, mining, and logging roads. There are many fine tires on the market. If you are interested in tire details drop me a comment.

Several articles I read suggested taking two spare tires fully mounted on rims up the Haul Road. I had one already but struggled with buying a second tire and rim. It wasn’t just the cost, but where would I put it for our extended Alaska trip? An additional consideration was the added weight. We were trying to travel light to save gas. 

While in Fairbanks we stayed at a lovely cottage.  One of the owners had a lot of experience traveling the rough roads of Alaska and dealing with transportation problems in remote areas.  Jerry suggested that I carry a can of Fix-a-Flat. It is a product for temporary flat repair (see http://www.fixaflat.com/).

I already had a tire repair kit with me but not a pump, however, I was able to borrow one from Jerry.  So I had my plan together for the tires.  I had brand new off-road tires, a brand new off-road fully mounted spare, two cans of Fix-a-Flat, a tire plug kit, and a hand pump.

We eventually traveled over 19,000 miles on our trip, and 2,100 of those were on gravel and unpaved roads.  We only had one flat, and that was in Homer, where I picked up a screw in the tread, causing a slow leak. We had it repaired at a local tire place.

In addition to the tire repair materials, I included the following in my auto maintenance and repair kit: a roll of duct tape, some electrical wire and tape, some structural wire (like that used to hang picture frames), rope, and a tool kit.  In the tool kit I included a hammer, regular and long nose pliers, phillips and flat screwdrivers, two sizes of vice grips, a socket wrench with sockets that fit most of the common nuts on the vehicle. I also included two pairs of leather gloves to protect my hands and safety glasses for eye protection.

I didn’t take any spare belts and hoses, which was recommended by some articles. The quality and reliability of these items has improved substantially over the years.  Since my vehicle was fairly new, and the inspections indicated no problems, I didn’t deem it necessary. If my vehicle were older, then I might have considered taking some replacements. Also, I had skid plates that protected vital parts of the undercarriage and engine compartment, so I felt that the probability of damage from below would be low.

Some articles also suggested taking replacement head and tail light bulbs.  I also didn’t follow that advice but, in retrospect, feel that I should have.  All the driving we did was during the day, and the days were long, especially above the Arctic Circle. However, for safety reasons, it was advised to drive at all times with your lights on, which we did.  Thankfully, I didn’t have any problems, but I will take some replacement bulbs along for my next trip.

Another thing to note relative to lights is that both roads can be extremely muddy. In this situation the lights, especially the rear, will cake with mud to the point that the lights are ineffective. We took a couple of rolls of paper towels and a bottle of glass cleaner to clean the lights and windows as needed.  We also carried a three-gallon plastic container of drinking water along, which also came in handy for cleaning off the heavy mud on the lights.  Oh yes, be sure to have a good set of windshield wipers before you make the trip and make certain that your windshield washer fluid tank is full. You will need them.

From a safety perspective, here are a few things to consider. Take some flares or an emergency flashing light in case you need to stop for repairs along the road. I have one of those red safety triangles to place behind the vehicle, but it isn’t enough for these two roads. 

Bring along some gloves and safety glasses to protect you hands and eyes. I suggest a hefty pair of boots that will resist rain. We have high-top sturdy hiking boots for mountain hiking.  During our trip up both roads, we experienced a lot of rain and our hiking boots provided foot protection from the elements as well as potential injury from rugged ground.

Our Xterra came with additional rubber mats for the floor.  We replaced our carpet mats with the rubber ones before our trip, and it helped keep the inside of the vehicle clean. The mats could also be used to lie on in the event that I needed to crawl under the vehicle.

We didn’t take our camper, Oz, up the Dalton but we did the Dempster.  I wouldn’t recommend taking just any trailer up either road, especially past the Arctic Circle.  In fact, we saw several wrecked RV remains along the ditches on the Haul Road. 

Our camper is a small, ultra-light pop-up that is built specifically for off-road, including high clearance and heavy-duty tires.  The Dempster had places to camp all the way to the northern-most town of Inuvik, so we took Oz.  The Haul Road has no camping facilities past Coldfoot.  In addition to the tools I had for the Xterra, I also took a lug wrench for the wheels, as the camper lug size is different from the Xterra.

After this trip, I have added to my maintenance kit tools and parts to repack or replace the camper bearings. I have added two sets of bearings and seals, some cotter pins, bearing grease, and a socket that fits the castle nut on the trailer axel.  With these parts, I can do maintenance on the camper bearings myself, or I will have the parts for one of the few service stops along any of the highways in Western Canada or Alaska.

In our next post, David continues his analysis of driving the Haul Road and Dempster.

Shower Power

I miss my daily hot showers the most while on the trail.  It is one thing to go without a shower on a weekend camping or backpacking trip.  Last year's 105-day adventure, however, proved that finding a satisfactory solution to this inevitable issue was a must.  Staying in hotels and RV parks can be extremely expensive, and we were often unable to find shower facilities anywhere else.  

In the past we have used solar shower bags to warm the water (see http://www.gofastandlight.com/Solar-Powered-Outdoor-Camp-Shower-5-Gallon-Black/productinfo/W-R-540/).  The ultimate temperature of your shower, however, is directly impacted by how cold the water is prior to filling the bag and how long it remains in direct sunlight.  Of course, biodegradable soap is essential. 

Obviously, wet wipes offer a somewhat satisfactory spit bath.  We have had reasonable success using a rinse-free shampoo and body wash originally developed by NASA (see http://www.norinse.com/outdoorshampoo.htm).

We have also been known to use water right out of the lake to wash each other’s hair.  Please be warned, however, that lake water in Alaska is EXTREMELY cold!  Talk about invigorating!  If possible, warming the water a bit on the camp stove first is highly recommended.  Unfortunately, the alcohol stoves that we used last year did not provide enough heat to warm sufficient amounts of water.

This year we plan to use our newly purchased, propane-fueled Zodi Zip Instant Hot Water System.  Preliminary results look very promising, however, we have only tested it in warm Texas water rather than water from frigid Alaskan streams.  

David operated the unit while the kids and I took turns in the shower.  It really will be a two person job.  One will need to operate the system while the other showers.

We used a 3-gallon collapsible bucket to hold the water.  Because the Zodi heats water about 30 degrees with each cycle, the bucket will be essential.  Alaska water starts out so cold that we will need to recirculate the water until it reaches a satisfactory temperature.

A single bucket full of water was actually quite adequate for one shower.  To protect the environment, biodegradable soap will be a must.  Please note:  For my fine hair, conditioner is essential.  In the future, however, I will use a leave-in hair conditioner or a spray de-tangler rather than trying to rinse my hair twice (from shampoo then conditioner).  

For privacy, we use our "bathroom," our small, pop-up tent (see http://www.evergreen-outdoors.net/outback/porta_privy.htm or see our last post).

After the first shower, the floor became quite slippery.  Our new shower floor is a rubber floor square.  We prefer wearing shower shoes.  Our ultra-absorbent towels dry quickly and take up very little storage space.

We are definitely looking forward to being squeaky clean whenever we want on our upcoming adventure!

UPDATE:  The Zodi worked wonderfully well on our 2011 adventure.  We often took water right out of frigid lakes for showers... the Zodi worked so well that we never needed to recycle the water to warm it further!  The only issue we found with our on-demand hot water heater was that the ambient temperature outside the shower tent had a direct impact on the shower's success inside of the tent.  As an example, if it was cold outside, no matter how warm the water, ultimately that frigid air was going to hit a warm body!  We determined that "massive pit swabbing" and using the Zodi to heat the water to wash our hair was quite sufficient!

For an example of the dangers of showering, please see our October 1, 2011, post!  :)

Mentioning the Unmentionable (or... the camp toilet)

When mentioning the unmentionable, the children’s book Everybody Poops (by Taro Gomi) says it all.  Unfortunately, many people don’t even try the joys of camping or backpacking because they can’t see past this one issue… so let’s talk about it!

David and I have learned over years of backpacking that using the bathroom is an individual (not to mention gender oriented) art form.  Most ladies will agree that the guys definitely have the advantage.  Thankfully, women now have the Freshette (see http://www.freshette.com/… a product so useful that it has become standard issue for all of our wonderful and brave military women).  As for life’s “double duty” during backpacking excursions, it always begins with a trowel.

Since wandering around with a trowel and roll of toilet paper during the middle of the night in bear country has extreme disadvantages, I am happy to report that more “civilized” options are now available… whether you are using your SUV as a RV, a tent, or something like our ultralight camper.  

Because space is at a premium for us, we use the compact, waterless Cleanwaste PETT portable environmental toilet. This potty is basically a fold-up, easy to use, briefcase-sized toilet (see http://www.cleanwaste.com/demo).  Just pop the legs down, add a “wag bag,” and you’re ready to do business.  

Wag bags (see http://www.rei.com/product/692303/cleanwaste-wag-bag-toilet-in-a-bag-waste-kit) are heavy-duty plastic bags that fit over the rim of the toilet.  The bag includes “poo powder,” a product developed by NASA to congeal liquids and minimize odors.  Wag bags also include toilet paper and hand sanitizer.  Extremely convenient, they are also quite expensive, costing nearly $3 a bag.

As an alternative to the wag bag system, you can purchase the environmentally friendly “poo powder” separately, often at your nearest outdoor store.  (UPDATE 2011:  We have discovered that not all poo powders are made equal.  During our 2011 trip, we learned first-hand that off-brands may require double the amount suggested in order to congeal liquids.  We have determined that we would rather pay the higher price for Cleanwaste's high quality poo powder rather than deal with the odor and less congealed mess left by less potent powders.  Additionally, we learned that the large, 70-ounce Cleanwaste poo powder container is sufficient to last approximately two to three months of travel.)

After securing your own plastic bag around the toilet rim, just sprinkle in a scoop of poo powder before doing your business.  Whenever possible, we use compostable garbage bags (tall kitchen size and scent free).  Because the bio bags sometimes tear, we double-bag them (there are some contents best not left to chance!).  Once your business is done, just knot the bag and toss it in the garbage.  Voilà!  No worries about hoses, clogs, or dumping stations.


The PETT is also great when you're camping with children.  It is so much easier and more sanitary for them to use the portable toilet rather than running off to a pit toilet.  When recently camping with two young ones, we found that one bag lasted most of the day without unpleasant odors... until someone did "number two."  As an added bonus, our third grader easily learned how to change the bag by herself.

There are a wide number of other portable toilets available.  Many are rather unique (see http://www.bumperdumper.com/bumper2.htm as an example).  For us, it was essential to find one that was easy and convenient to use and would fit in our car top carrier.  It can also double as a portable toilet during hurricane emergencies.  

Depending on your rig configuration, you can set up your bathroom in a little pop-up privacy tent.   The tent can double as a shower.  Cleanwaste offers a tent.  If you would like to see the pop up tent that we use, visit http://www.evergreen-outdoors.net/outback/porta_privy.htm (the site includes a video for how it works).  The tent is a little tricky to close until you get the hang of it… after that, it’s as easy as pie.  

UPDATE 2012:  When we upgraded to our new Four Wheel camper, the Luggable Loo met our space configuration very nicely.  After using the Loo for three months during 2012, however, we plan to reconfigure the legs of our Cleanwaste Pett toilet so that it will fit into the allotted space of our new camper and ditch the Loo.  Why?  Basically, the Cleanwaste Pett toilet feels more like a regular toilet.  Additionally, while they are both waterless bag toilets and operate almost identically, the Luggable Loo seat is round rather than having the Pett's elongated seat.  The Loo's rounded seat has noticeably more condensate than the elongated seat... and because the Loo's seat lid does not stay upright on its own, the condensate can touch your clothing, which feels pretty icky.  The underside of the Loo's lid and seat must be wiped down frequently to eliminate as much condensate as possible.  This action uses more paper towels than we care to environmentally and with our infrequent reprovisioning.  Additionally, the rounded seat is very compact, basically a tad smaller than the width of a five-gallon bucket.  Men in particular may find the Loo a challenge to use.  While we feel that the Loo would be great for a weekend campout, for our extended trips, we definitely prefer the comfort of an elongated seat, lower condensate, and the more sanitary feel of the Cleanwaste Pett toilet.  

We'll continue our quest to find a satisfactory solution to all of our bathroom needs in our next post...

Off Road Recipes

Having grown up on the Gulf Coast, we tend to stock many of these staple ingredients in the pantry for hurricane preparedness.  Whether on the trail, at home, or during emergencies, these recipes are a few of our favorites.

Terrific No Cook, Healthy, and EASY Salads

Chickpea Salad

1 can garbanzo (chick peas) beans, drained

1 can green beans, drained

1 jar marinated artichoke hearts (quartered)

1 condiment-sized packet Italian dressing (optional)

Mix together and serve.

Black Bean Salad

1 can black beans, drained

1 can sweet corn, drained

1 can green chiles (we prefer HOT!)
1 teaspoon dried cilantro (optional)

1 teaspoon dried minced garlic 

cayenne pepper to taste

salt and pepper to taste

Mix together and serve.

One Pot Meals:

The following recipes use dehydrated products.  If possible, it is best to soak the vegetables in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking.  If this is not possible, simmer at least 15 to 30 minutes longer than noted below until tender.  (I try to use pouched or canned meats rather than using dehydrated or freeze-dried meats because they never seems to fully rehydrate for me.)

Cajun Red Beans & Rice

1 can red beans (not drained) or 4 oz. dehydrated red beans (covered and soaked in water for at least 30 minutes)

1 to 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes

1 to 2 teaspoons dried celery

1 to 2 teaspoons dried minced garlic

½ teaspoon dried thyme

1 or 2 Alaska Sausage Company Hunter Sticks (sliced into bite-sized pieces)

Zatarain’s creole seasoning, salt, black pepper to taste

4.4 oz. microwavable rice

Mix all ingredients except rice.  Bring to a boil.  Turn down stove and simmer for approximately 15 minutes or until beans are tender.  Divide rice into two bowls.  Pour read bean mix over rice and serve.

Chicken and Corn Chowder

2 to 4 oz. dehydrated corn

1 to 2 oz. dehydrated potatoes

1 tablespoon dehydrated green peppers

1 tablespoon dehydrated onions

1 to 2 teaspoons dehydrated garlic to taste

Crushed red pepper to taste

Chili powder to taste

1 pouch cubed chicken

Add all ingredients to saucepan except chicken pouch.  Cover with water.  Bring to boil.  Simmer for 15-30 minutes, until vegetables are rehydrated.  Add chicken.  Simmer another few minutes until chicken is heated through.

Green Bean Casserole

4 oz. dehydrated green beans

1 package Cup of Soup Cream of Mushroom

1 to 2 teaspoons dehydrated onions

1 pouch cubed chicken

Add all ingredients to saucepan except chicken pouch.  Mix well and cover with water.  Bring to boil.  Simmer for 15-30 minutes, until vegetables are rehydrated.  Add chicken.  Simmer another few minutes until chicken is heated through.

No Cook Ideas

·      Bag of fresh veggies dipped in single-serving containers of your favorite salad dressing.

·      Squeezer’s Cheddar or Jalapeno and Cheddar Cheese squeeze packs on crackers.

·      Justin’s Honey Almond Butter Squeeze Pack (or your favorite Justin's variety) on crackers.

·      Your choice of canned lunchmeat, a condiment-sized pack of mayo and/or mustard, spread on crackers or bread.

·      GoGo Squeeze fruit packages.

If you'd like more recipes, please let us know.