Alcan Highway 2012...be there!

[sapper740]

Anyone who followed the Transcontinental Convoy from D.C. to San Francisco has heard of Dennis Boots. Dennis took on the daunting challenge of being Chief of vehicle maintenance for the entire convoy...a job he spent two years preparing for and completed in grande style as evidenced by all vehicles completing the trek, even if it meant replacing the engine in a Dodge Weapons Carrier on the side of the road! Dennis presented an excellent travelogue of the trip at the Viet Nam Veteran's Association Chapter 920 meeting last night where he announced that plans are already under way for a convoy by the MVPA for the 70th anniversary of the Alcan Highway. (Western Command members take note!) This convoy will have special significance for me as information provided by my grandfather from geological studies he did in '38, '39' and '40 for the British Columbia government were instrumental in choosing the route for the Alcan highway. See y'all there. Derek.

[Jeff Gordon]

Hi Derek,
I was told about this run and a couple of us from Queensland are seriously thinking about.
Is it still going to take place in winter?
Cheers
Jeff

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by sapper740

.... This convoy will have special significance for me as information provided by my grandfather from geological studies he did in '38, '39' and '40 for the British Columbia government were instrumental in choosing the route for the Alcan highway. See y'all there. Derek.

Have you Googled his name? The land survey commission/dept/corporation of BC is going to name a mountain in honour of a man of similar pedigree. I know this because a Wild-Assed Lateral question arrived at my desk regarding the Canadian Military Engineer Association and this particular man.

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by Jeff Gordon

Hi Derek,
I was told about this run and a couple of us from Queensland are seriously thinking about.
Is it still going to take place in winter?
Cheers
Jeff

Jeff, even though the plans for this convoy are barely into the formative stage, I can tell you without fear of contradiction that no, the convoy will not be taking place in winter. My friend, Dennis Boots has already told me that he will be participating in the convoy and will be one of the first to know any information as plans proceed. I'll pass on to this forum any info I get from Dennis as plans are firmed up. Derek.

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Have you Googled his name? The land survey commission/dept/corporation of BC is going to name a mountain in honour of a man of similar pedigree. I know this because a Wild-Assed Lateral question arrived at my desk regarding the Canadian Military Engineer Association and this particular man.

I have Googled my Grandfather's name in the past and the list of hits is daunting especially when you consider most of those include links to yet more sites, well, one could make a career of chronicling all he did. Most of what I learned about my grandfather was during conversations we had until he passed away in 1974, He was 90 and I was 20. That, and I inherited one of only three family journals he ever had printed. I hadn't heard about plans to name a mountain after him, but to that I can say honestly, "It's about time!" The family tree on my mother's side derives from the Williams, the Bowermans, and the Platts...all three families inextricably linked with building two great nations, Canada and the United States of America.
Would you kindly pass on any contacts with the C.M.E.A. to me as I was a Canadian Military Engineer and I would be greatly interested in any efforts being made to honour my grandfather. Thanks, Derek.

[Jeff Gordon]

the convoy will not be taking place in winter.

Maybe that is just as well as I am a born and breed Queenslander and I have only ever seen snow once.

Jeff

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by Jeff Gordon

Maybe that is just as well as I am a born and breed Queenslander and I have only ever seen snow once.

Jeff

Well, Jeff, you'll definitely see snow on the convoy...perhaps not on the road but definitely on the mountains. I was an avid hunter all my years in B.C. and often did a recon in late August high up in mountains a couple of weeks before the opening of hunting season. It helped to see where the Mountain Sheep licks and Mule Deer beds were before they got spooked by all the hunters in September. More than once I had to fight snow storms to get back to my base camp and more than once I had to fight snow storms on the Coquihalla Highway to get back to Vancouver. So my advice to you is come prepared for anywhere from scorching hot weather all the way to winter blasts. You just never know what you're going to get. Derek.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Sapper - I just sent you a private message. Check your in-box.

Maple-Leaf-Eh

[gary_bath_jr]

Hey Derek

I would really appreciate you posting any info as I live at Mile 52 of the Alaska Highway and can arrange events at the Legion, ie: Lunch, refreshments, etc. I know our Legion would be more than happy to have everyone stop in and visit.

[Harry Moon]

Just some initial discussion at our latest club meeting with no firm commitment but maybe we will have our biannual freedom route do the 2500km round trip to Mile "0" and back to meet up with the start of the convoy and see it off for the first leg.
And of course visit every legion in between!
Maybe some will go on the Alaska portion as well.
We have not made it north of Cache Creek on any of our previouse freedom routes so it would be some new territory and actually the road beyond cash creek isn't as steep as some of the other trips we have taken.

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by gary_bath_jr

Hey Derek

I would really appreciate you posting any info as I live at Mile 52 of the Alaska Highway and can arrange events at the Legion, ie: Lunch, refreshments, etc. I know our Legion would be more than happy to have everyone stop in and visit.

Absolutely! As I get more info I will definitely be passing it on through this forum. I recently received an email from Terry Shelswell who was the Director of the 2009 Intercontinental Convoy across the United States and will most likely be the same for the next convoy. An MVPA Alcan Highway convoy in 2012 is not a done deal just yet. Terry told me that it was being "considered" along with some other convoy options. At this point it would be beneficial for us who would like to see the Alcan Highway chosen as an MVPA sponsored event to start campaigning for it. A few letters and/or emails to the Directors of the MVPA now might give the Alcan Convoy an impetus that would carry it through to 2012. Points of contact along the way would be extremely beneficial, both for support and for having meaningful stops. Gary, you could start a buzz for the convoy in your area and maybe get some service groups such as the Canadian Legion onboard. Others on this forum who are members of Western Command (Harry?) could start promoting the convoy from their end. The logistics for an event of this sort are huge when you consider such necessities as Police escorts where required, maps, meals, service and community groups, etc.

[gary_bath_jr]

Hey Derrek, (sorry if it is mispelled)

I can arrange all Details from Mile 0 to Fort Nelson, BC. Dawson creek (Mile 0) is about an hour from Fort St John, (My Town)and then about 4 hours to Fort Nelson, now this is in a modern vehicle doing about 100 km/h (80 mp/h) or faster. I would expect a full day to travel with our convoy. If need be I could find contacts for further north and get things organized, I know that this is "if" the route is planned.

I do hope that the route is chosen as I hope to have my CMP ready for the trip and I know a few other vehicles that could join in as well.

If you can give me some proposed dates I can get the legions organized with lunches, as for mapsit is a very simple route here the alcan highway is the only road north but I could do something if needed.

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by gary_bath_jr

Hey Derrek, (sorry if it is mispelled)

I can arrange all Details from Mile 0 to Fort Nelson, BC. Dawson creek (Mile 0) is about an hour from Fort St John, (My Town)and then about 4 hours to Fort Nelson, now this is in a modern vehicle doing about 100 km/h (80 mp/h) or faster. I would expect a full day to travel with our convoy. If need be I could find contacts for further north and get things organized, I know that this is "if" the route is planned.

I do hope that the route is chosen as I hope to have my CMP ready for the trip and I know a few other vehicles that could join in as well.

If you can give me some proposed dates I can get the legions organized with lunches, as for mapsit is a very simple route here the alcan highway is the only road north but I could do something if needed.

And that is exactly what it's going to take to get this convoy off the ground...people like you who are willing to take responsibility for a section of the highway and to be a point of contact for police, service organizations, locating fuel stops and all the myriad of other necessities for this event. I'll be talking to Dennis Boots again real soon and I'll see what more he has learned and who else we should contact within the MVPA. Derek.

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by gary_bath_jr

Hey Derek

I would really appreciate you posting any info as I live at Mile 52 of the Alaska Highway and can arrange events at the Legion, ie: Lunch, refreshments, etc. I know our Legion would be more than happy to have everyone stop in and visit.

I take it you live near French Creek, no?

[DavidA]

Just logging on for the first time to your fine forum. There is a group of fellows on G503.com who are looking to do a Alcan trip. Some of us were on the TC Convoy and there are others. Please feel free to yack it up with the MVPA folk because I heard that they don't seem to be up on any official plan as yet.

I think Terri and Mr. Boots should start the ball rolling if they plan to involve the MVPA or plan to have such a trip. Otherwise, like I said, there is a few of us Calif and Oregon folks that are interested.

2012 is perfect! Let's go! I will be monitoring your comments.

[gary_bath_jr]

Hey Derek

Nope sorry, I am no-where near french creek, I am in Fort St John, BC, it is located at mile 52 on the Alcan highway so everyone will have to pass through here on the trip.

David A, Derek and I have kind of decided that if the MVPA does not decide to do the run that we will try to organize something ourselves.

I have discovered that I have contacts all the way up to Watson Lake so I should be able to plan everything from dawson to watson with no problems, further North will be a little harder but I am willing to give it a try as I really want this to happen.

I have been making lots of plans for this trip, ie: A name for the event, food lodgings, fuel, etc. in my opinion I am going to try to get everything donated. If anyone has any other thoughts let me know.

Gary

[malcolm erik bogaert]

forgive my ignorance but will the trip be from Dawson to Fairbanks....if I can swing it could anybody there use 2 ex military types !one trained in winter/artic warfare the other has luck would have a desert type...best regards malcolm

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by malcolm erik bogaert

forgive my ignorance but will the trip be from Dawson to Fairbanks....if I can swing it could anybody there use 2 ex military types !one trained in winter/artic warfare the other has luck would have a desert type...best regards malcolm

Malcolm, I'm sure if and when the Alcan Highway convoy proceeds, there is sure to be room for passengers on some of the vehicles. In fact, I recommend that whoever organizes this event develop a registry to match spare seating with visitors who wish to participate but don't have a vehicle in the convoy. And I assume the convoy will go from Dawson Creek, B.C. to Fairbanks, AK, since Fairbanks is a short run from the official end of the Alcan Highway at Delta Junction. Now, I hope y'all noticed that I said "if and when" the convoy proceeds. I hope everyone understands that this isn't a done deal yet by any stretch of the imagination...at least on the scale of the recent Trans-Continental Convoy. I understand and appreciate the enthusiasm for this event but please understand that to this point a convoy along the Alcan Highway, as far as the MVPA is concerned, has simply been a short discussion among three people. I hope to and think we can convince the MVPA to underwrite this event as it will be expensive. I saw how much the MVPA spent for the Trans-Continental convoy to provide support and logistics along the way. On my end, I am vigorously promoting this event and will be approaching contacts I have in the C.M.E. world who might view this as a training exercise to lend us support, as well as my old Minister of Parliament who I helped get elected twice to see if he can pull some strings. In the meantime, it would be helpful if everyone would email or write the directors of the MVPA and tell them you would support an Alcan Highway convoy. Stand-by for further news. Chimo! Derek.

[malcolm erik bogaert]

Derek even if the proposed trip dosnt go ahead Im determined to get over at have a look see...hopefully with my regimental association cards and of course my old Royal British Legion card Il be able to get into your own Legion posts for warmth and succor(well strong drink anyway) best regards malcolm

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by malcolm erik bogaert

Derek even if the proposed trip dosnt go ahead Im determined to get over at have a look see...hopefully with my regimental association cards and of course my old Royal British Legion card Il be able to get into your own Legion posts for warmth and succor(well strong drink anyway) best regards malcolm

Malcolm, you'll find a warm welcome at any mess or legion in Canada with those credentials. Derek.

[gary_bath_jr]

I just got an email from a member of my history group telling me that the Canadian Rangers are planning the same trip we are, they are hooking up with US forces in Alaska as soon as they cross the border, however I dont think we can be involved with this as it is a military exercise involving CR units from BC, AB, and the Yukon, they are calling it "Northern Trek"

[gary_bath_jr]

Anyone know if the MVPA has discussed this trip yet? and if so have they made any kind of descision, I would like to get started on planning but need to know how much I need to do.

Thanks

[George McKenzie]

I can talk to Reg Hodgson or Al Nickolson MVPA to see what they have heard . Reg was very active the last time they went up .I'm sure Tourisim in Alberta and BC would be very supportive . George

[gary_bath_jr]

Hey George

Thanks, that would be great, I hope the MVPA decides to go, I am going to join the group some day as I have a lot of good things about them, I am also going to see about joining "Western Command" so far joining this forum has proved to be very educational and informative.

Gary

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by gary_bath_jr

Hey George

Thanks, that would be great, I hope the MVPA decides to go, I am going to join the group some day as I have a lot of good things about them, I am also going to see about joining "Western Command" so far joining this forum has proved to be very educational and informative.

Gary

Haven't posted here recently as I haven't had much to add to what has previously been said. I had a short talk with Dennis on Remembrance Day at the ceremony in the square in Denton. We're getting together for dinner with our wives soon and will be discussing the Alcan Convoy. Dennis did tell me that both he and Terry Shelswell were keen about the convoy in 2012. Those two were the movers and shakers for the Transcontinental Convoy so their interest bodes well for the trip. More as it develops. Derek.

[George McKenzie]

It should be a good trip .The road is very good and there won't be any mosquitos by Aug .The last time I went up I drove to White Horse from 100 mile east of Dawson Creek one day . Then loaded a 45 Holmes wrecker for my DT969 ,did some visiting and drove back the next day with the wrecker .The Dempster road has alot of crushed granite rock that is hard on the tires .There is a neet museum in FT Nelson on the south side of the road with some military things .Most of the military vehicles that worked on the hiway ,you will be driving over them The fellow that owned the Petro Canada service station in Watson lake buried most of the vehicles on the Canol pipline just a few years ago .It will be a great experience and I have always said It is twice as far to go North as to go South .When you are in Dawson City you are half way to the north pole .I hope to meet you folks in Dawson Creek .George

[George McKenzie]

Hi Stuart I have been to Inuvik a couple of times . but I flew from Yellow knife .I was getting the polution out of Tuktoyaktuk from the Dome Oil's base camp . I was amused that we had to drive up over the water and sewer lines all above the ground so they wouldn't melt the perma frost in heated pipes so they wouldn't wouldn't freeze .Thanks for your comment about the Dempster ,and O yes Eagle plains can be windy too .

[Hans Mulder]

I would go but the carrier isn't quite a suitable vehicle. Maybe I'll bring my civy 3/4 ton and trailer for those who run into trouble.

[gary_bath_jr]

Hey Hans

If you had planned to drive a military vehicle in the convoy you would had to pay the participation fee. If you want to be someones "support Vehicle" you do not have to pay to follow along behind the convoy, and you can have a few people fide with you.

If there is anyone that would like to be a support vehicle send me a pm with details of your vehicle (make, model, year, fuel type, and the number of passengers) and I will try to add you as a support vehicle.

Gary

[jeff davis]

Hans Check out the western Command they have something planned but without fees and i believe involving the Royal Canadian Legions