To make this easier on yourself, here is a list of topics/ questions I have covered in this section. Either scroll down or click on the topic you want-
Weather
Clothing
Time Zones
Travel to Anchorage (by air, sea, and land)
Northern Lights
Things to do (including hiking/ walking/
biking, sea kayaking/ wildlife viewing/
rafting, fishing, bird
watching, flightseeing, and
festivals).
Should you bring the family?
How long should you stay?
Safety Tips (Weather and
Animals)
One good place to go for information about Alaska and Anchorage is the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau Website-
www.anchorage.net. This website has links to airlines, ferries, tour companies, and
other tourist services. It also has some
information about Anchorage weather, history, statistics, and other useful information.
An event management company, Logistics, will be working with us and will be at the conference to help you book travel and activities.
1. What is the weather really like in summer?
When the weather in June is good, it is very good. Based on average precipitation, June is our driest month- this, however, doesn’t rule out rain. The average daily high temperature in June is 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius). It can get up to 75 degrees, but it can also get down to 50 degrees.
The best news, though, is that it will be light. The conference weekend is Solstice weekend. There will officially be about 18 hours and 39 minutes of daylight that day. However, because we are so far north, dawn and dusk take a very long time. Basically, it will not get totally dark for about a week before and a week after the conference.
2. What kind of clothing should I bring?
Though the weather tends to be excellent in June- this is Alaska. You need to come prepared for the weather- especially rain. Bring some sort of light rain jacket with a hood or a hat, at least. Basically, you need something that will keep you dry in a drizzle (we tend to get drizzle more than we get rain), protected from wind, and warm in the evening. If we get a heavier rain, you might want a heavier jacket, or you might just want to use the covered pathways the campus.
The key to being comfortable in Alaska is to bring layers of clothing that you can take off and put on as you need. Short-sleeved shirts might feel good in the afternoon sun, but in the evenings or if you go up to higher altitudes you will probably want a light jacket or a light wool sweater. Synthetic fabrics (like poly-propylene) will keep you warm even if you get wet. If you decide that you want to go on a cruise or up to Denali, you will want a hat and some gloves (it can, but probably won’t, snow at any time in Denali). You will want some good walking shoes with you. Anchorage has miles of walking trails and lots of things to do outside. Comfortable walking shoes will make this more pleasant.
Also, don’t forget a good pair of binoculars. These are good for hiking, sightseeing, bird and wildlife watching. It’s a big state with lots to see. Binoculars help.
A good rule of thumb is dress comfortably and in layers. The “dress code” in Alaska is always informal, and you will notice that most Alaskans dress this way, too.
A good website to check out for more information about Anchorage weather and clothing advice is
www.travelalaska.com/climate.30aspx. Click on the South Central button for information about Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula and the Interior button if you want information about Denali National Park.
2. What time is it?
Alaska Standard Time is one hour behind Seattle and Los Angeles (Pacific Standard Time); four hours behind New York and Florida (Eastern Standard Time); nine hours behind London, United Kingdom; and eighteen hours behind Sydney, Australia. Alaska observes Daylight Savings Time. For a map of world time zones, go to
www.worldtimezone.com.
4. How can I get to Anchorage? How much should it cost?
Flights
The Ted Stevens International Airport is served by 19 airlines (go to
www.anchorage.net/86.,cfm for a complete list). Fares and tickets are available on the Internet, through your travel agent, or by contacting the airlines directly.
Anchorage is very centrally located- it is approximately equidistant from London, Tokyo, New York, and Atlanta. There are direct flights available from Newark, Washington D.C., Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Houston, Detroit, Frankfurt, Honolulu, and most of the West Coast.
For direct flights between Europe and Alaska, check out Condor Airlines
(www.condoramericas.com ). This airline operates a non-stop flight between Frankfurt, Germany and Anchorage on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Otherwise, you will have to fly through at least one airport in the Lower 48 (this might save you money, but will take longer).
The key to getting a good deal on airfare during the Solstice is to check the Internet or with your travel agent early and often (the key to doing anything in Alaska during the Solstice is to book early). Booked early, a flight from most major cities in the US will cost approximately $350-$500. A flight (not nonstop) from London, England or Paris, France should cost approximately $600- $800 US. Of course, flights from Asia or smaller cities will cost more, as will direct flights from Europe. If you are coming from Australia or Asia, consider looking at flying through Hawaii to get cheaper fares. An Alaska/ Hawaii tour operator, Hawaiian Vacations
(www.hawaiianvacations.com), has fares between Honolulu and Anchorage for as little as $350 round trip.
Cruises/ Boats
In addition to flying, you can also get to Anchorage by sea. There are numerous cruise lines that offer packages through the Northwest Passage. These cruises take approximately 3-5 days and offer opportunities to see glaciers, wildlife, and Alaska’s stunning fjords. The Alaska Marine Highway System, a ferry system, also takes 3-5 days and provides you the opportunity to bring your own car. While this is not explicitly a tourist service, it is one of the more popular ways for independent travelers to get to Alaska in the summer (book your spot very early).
Driving
Finally, for those with extra time, the Alaska Canada Highway is an experience that will not be forgotten. The
AlCan, as it is called by Alaskans, is the only highway that connects Alaska to the Lower 48. It can take 5-10 days to drive from the Northern US (depending on the number of stops you make), but it offers the opportunity to see lots of wildlife and the Northwest Territories of Canada. Be careful, though, the road is not always paved and there is always construction. If you drive up, be sure to get a Milepost. This book will give you detailed information about every mile of the way (including hints of where to keep your eyes open for wildlife, where every gas station is, and where to get a good ice cream cone). Mileposts can be ordered at
www.themilepost.com.
5. Can you see the Northern Lights from Anchorage?
You can see the Northern Lights from Anchorage, but unfortunately it will not be dark enough during the Solstice to really see them. The best time for Northern Lights viewing is on cold, clear winter nights.
6. What else can I do while I’m there?
The list of activities available during the summer in Alaska is endless (and my willingness to talk about them goes on and on). In the interest of saving you time, I have broken them down into groups…. Just scroll down to the heading you want. We have asked Logistics, an event planner, to be at the conference and available to help you book some activities like fishing charters, sightseeing cruises, and
adventure/ecotours before and after the conference. Click here for more information.
Don’t forget that we are also scheduling several events for conference participants during the conference. These will include a reception at the Alaska Native Heritage Center
(http://www.alaskanative.net) and activities.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Hiking/ Walking/ Running/ Biking
I highly recommend checking out some of Anchorage’s trail systems. There are easily over 100 miles of both paved running/biking trails and rough hiking trails within a 40 minute drive of the University.
Anchorage has miles of paved running/ biking trails cutting through the greenbelts in the heart of the city and running along the coast. The trails are full of wildlife and in June they are bursting with plants and animals making the most of the summer sunshine (and food). Below is a picture of a bull moose taken on the trail system about 8 miles from the University. For a map and pictures go to
www.trailsofanchorage.com. Click on the Goose Lake button for pictures and information about trails near the university.
If you want to do some more rugged hiking or some mountain biking, there is also the Chugach National Forest. This park literally surrounds Anchorage and offers hundreds of miles of trails for hikers and bikers at all levels. These trails will take you out into the mountains behind Anchorage and offer some striking views of the Chugach Range and the chance to see some wildlife. Though there are a few flat trails, the best trails and the best views involve some uphill walking/ biking (2500 foot elevation gain) so bring water and warm clothes. For a nice description (and a picture of Flattop and O’Malley Peaks) go to
http://syndication.getoutdoors.com/npca/destination_summary/78.html or see the Forest Service website at
www.fs.fed/r10/chugach. This will also give you a good idea of the places where you can and cannot take a mountain bike.
If you want information about backpacking, email me and I will send it. There are too many great places to go- they cannot be listed here. We have made arrangements for you to be able to rent tents, stoves, backpacks, canoes, kayaks, bikes,
rollerblades, and other outdoor equipment from the University Campus Center (so you don’t have to haul it up). For a complete list of available gear and prices go to
www.uaa.alaska.edu/campuslife/ccservices/rental.html. You might want to call ahead and reserve equipment- especially canoes and kayaks. The phone number is (907)786-1204.
The Mayor’s Midnight Sun Marathon will be held during the conference. This race is one of Alaska’s most popular sporting events. Thousands of runners from across the country sign up to compete in the marathon, half marathon, and 5 miler events. For more information see the website at
http://www.mayorsmarathon.com.
Sea Kayaking/ Glacier and Wildlife Viewing/ Rafting
One of the things Alaska is most famous for is its marine environment. This is probably because most of the tourists come up on cruise ships (not to mention the Exxon Valdez oilspill in Prince William Sound), but our coastline and fjords really deserve all of the credit they get- they are beautiful. The best place to go to see the coast is Seward. It is beautiful, relatively close, and well set up for tourists. For a more rugged, out of the way place, check out Homer or
Seldovia.
My favorite way to see the coast is in a sea kayak. Kayaking is a low stress and quiet way to get really close to nature. There are many good guides in Seward and Whittier who can take you out for an afternoon (or a seven day adventure) and show you some Alaska’s best scenery and wildlife. The guides will show you how to paddle, teach you water safety, tell you about the wildlife and geology of the area, and give you lunch. (Remember, the water is cold and if you aren’t prepared, you can die. Go with a guide).
There are also many different sightseeing day cruises offered out of Seward. These cruises leave in the morning, and take you to glaciers, bird rookeries, and secluded fjords. They usually offer great salmon lunches on islands in the fjords. Usually you will see otters, sea lions, puffins, eagles, and (sometimes) whales. Some of the boats will take you to see 26 glaciers in one day. Logistics will be able to help you book these tours.
And then there is rafting. We have lots of white water rivers in Alaska. Not only does a rafting trip offer a rush, it also offers the opportunity of seeing some great backcountry (without having to walk to get there). There are lots of places to go rafting and lots of tour operators who will take you. Again, it is just a good idea to know if you want to go North or South. Ask around and many people will be able to give you their idea of their favorite place to go.
Fishing
June is also fishing season in Alaska. King Salmon tend to be running in some of the rivers near Anchorage during the Solstice (though it is tough to say exactly when they will get here). When the fish are running, people fish in Ship Creek in the middle of downtown. There are also several rivers within less than a two hour drive of Anchorage where you can throw in a line and catch a fish (and maybe see a bear, or two).
There are many different fishing charters that operate out of Anchorage and Seward. These boats go after salmon in the rivers, salmon in the ocean, and halibut in the ocean. There are also fly in fishing trips. If you go with a boat or a fly-in trip, you will probably have pretty good luck (they know where the fish are and can get you there). Most Alaskans, at one time or another, have tried their hand at combat fishing- the shoulder to shoulder approach to getting fish. When you see 100 people lining a riverbank, you know there are fish there. There are also many non-crowded places, though, too. Ask around when you get here and many people will be able to give you their ideas.
Bird Watching
Anchorage is full of wetlands and the birdlife here is very abundant. There are a couple of places near Anchorage to see some Arctic and Alaskan birds. The best place, nearest the University, is Westchester Lagoon and the Coastal Trail. Westchester Lagoon is in West Anchorage (see the picture below). You can get there on the paths described earlier
(www.trailsofanchorage.com) or by car. Westchester hooks up the Coastal Trail which will take you into the Coastal Estuary, a place filled with birds. Your best bet is to get a good birding guide book and a good pair of binoculars and head out.
Flightseeing
My father always said that the only way to really see Alaska is from the air. I would tend to agree. There are many operators who will take you up and show you around. Many of them will take you to see Denali (Mt. McKinley- the highest point in North America). The thing to remember is that there are only two major highways in Alaska. Most of the state is off the road system. This means that a lot of the best stuff can only be reached by plane. Logistics can help you find operators.
Festivals and Alaskan Events
There are two major cultural events happening in Anchorage over the Solstice. The first is the Anchorage Festival of Music, Anchorage’s oldest classical music festival. This festival has both orchestra and chamber music concerts with musicians from Alaska and Outside. For information see the website at
www.festivalmusic.org .
There is also the AWAIC Summer Solstice Festival happening in Town Square. This is an outdoor summer festival with music, food and booths by Alaskan Artists and Craftspeople. Some of the proceeds go to support
AWAIC, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping abused women and children.
7. Can I bring my family? What will they do while I am in the conference?
Summer is the best time of year to be in Alaska. Your family would have a great time! Though we will not be scheduling activities specifically for family members while you are in the conference, there will be plenty of things for them to do during the day. The University is very centrally located in Midtown Anchorage and most tourist activities can be easily accessed from here (by either city bus or rented car). The campus itself, especially the area near the residence halls, is beautiful in June. It is surrounded by woods and hooks up with the Anchorage Trail System (see previous section). In addition, the University very near Goose Lake, a popular, if slightly chilly, swimming lake in the summer (see the picture below). Logistics will also be available to help them book organized tourist activities and other adventures.
We have reserved some quad rooms in the residence halls. These rooms have four separate bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a common sitting area. They include a sink area, bed linens and a coffee maker. They would be quite comfortable for a family (see the housing link for more information).
8. I want to stay in Alaska a bit longer. How much extra time should I plan to stay? Where can I stay? What should I do?
The rooms in the residence hall and in the Residence Inn can be reserved for a few days before and a few days after the conference. Remember, you need to book early! This is the most popular time of year to be in Alaska. All tourist stuff- especially hotels- will be filled.
This is a great excuse for you to plan that summer, Alaskan adventure you always wanted. The main thing is to know what you want to do (and how much money you want to spend). Once you know this, you can plan your trip accordingly.
If you are interested in marine life, spectacular fjords, and tidewater glaciers, the best place to go is Seward, a small town about 125 miles south of Anchorage. Seward is a beautiful town situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula... It is one of Alaska’s oldest and most scenic communities and is known as the "Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park" From Seward you can go on glacier and wildlife viewing tours, sea kayaking trips, halibut and salmon fishing charters, hiking trips, biking trips, and many other adventures. You would probably want to schedule 2-3 extra days to go to Seward (one day to drive down and take a look around the town, one day to be there and do whatever activities you want to do, and one day to drive back). Go to
www.sewardak.org from more information.
If you want to go fishing, depending on where you go, you will want to schedule an extra 2-3 days. Fishing charters take all day and you will need driving time.
If you want to go to Denali, plan on spending an extra 4-5 days. It takes a full day to drive each way. The Interior is quite different from the South Central region and there is a lot to do. The most popular thing is to take the bus trip out into Denali National Park to
Kantishna. Often, you will not be able to see the mountain on this trip, but you will always see lots of wildlife- bears, moose, caribou, marmots, eagles, and birds. Most people rave about this trip and come back with incredible pictures. I highly recommend it.
9. Safety Tips
There are two major issues you need to be concerned about when you are in Alaska- the weather and the animals. YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS. We just thought we should warn you. This is also, by no means, a comprehensive list of potential dangers. Use common sense, get a guide or someone who knows what they are doing to go with you if you are doing something you have never done before, like kayaking, and remember that Alaska is still fairly wild.
Weather-
The biggest concern in Alaska at all times of the year is hypothermia. Do not go hiking without a rain jacket, some water, and snacks at the very least. You will probably also want to carry some extra layers of clothing- top and bottom. This is all just in case you get lost or hurt and you cannot get out for a while. Don’t let this keep you indoors, just be prepared when you go. A good guide to hypothermia and what to do about it is at
www.hypothermia.org/onland.htm. Check out the section about hypothermia in the water if you are planning to do any fishing, kayaking, or other water activities.
If you want to go backpacking, hiking, fishing, or sea kayaking and have never done it before- make sure you go with someone who knows what they are doing, preferably a reputable and professional guide. A guide will know how to keep you safe and secure. They will take you to some of the best places and will also be able to tell you about the wildlife and sometimes geology you see there. Often, they will make you a very delicious lunch, too.
Animals
There are moose on the University campus. They are generally big, harmless animals. The only times they usually get aggressive are during mating/ calving season (over the winter) and when there are calves around in summer. If you see a baby moose, don’t go near it. If a moose charges you, get behind something. Chances are- it will just be a bluff charge. If it is serious, it will either try to knock you over and stamp on you or try to kick you with its front legs. I have been charged by moose and I have seen others charged by moose many times (always in the winter or when there were calves around). I have only seen a moose knock someone over once. The key to getting along with moose is to give them lots of room.
There are also bear that live in the city limits. They are not seen very often and you should not have to worry about them. Like moose, the only times they attack are when they feel threatened or when they feel their babies are threatened. If you see a baby bear, get away. Bear feel threatened much sooner than moose do. If you are hiking, make lots of noise so the bear can hear you coming (so you don’t surprise it). If you see a bear, back away slowly and go around. Bear need a lot of personal space- give it to them. If one charges you, DO NOT RUN!!!! Drop your pack, curl up in a ball, and wait for it to lose interest. Again, don’t let this stop you from going outside. The number of people killed by bear each year is less than those killed by dogs.
If you get a chance, go out on a wildlife tour with a guide, either in Denali or in Seward (I especially recommend taking the bus out to Kantishna in Denali National Park). A Denali visit is almost a guarantee to see bear, caribou, sheep, moose, and sometimes wolf. Seeing wild animals is one of the quintessential Alaskan experiences. There are very few other cities in the world of our size with this many animals living in town. There are also very few places left with the abundance of wildlife of Alaska. Go out and enjoy it. But don’t run from bears, remember that moose kick with their front legs, and take warm clothes.
If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to contact me. I will try to get you an answer as soon as possible. My email address is
jodiesstover@yahoo.com
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