WANTED: Adventurous Spirits for True Arctic Adventure. Long hours driving, possibly at $4.00+ a gallon. Outside temperatures likely to -40 F. Chance to drive on real Canadian Arctic Ice Roads as well as the frozen over Arctic Ocean. Almost sure ridicule and laughter from those near and dear. The downside? Spending up to 10 days in the car with me. Free spirits only, no prior experience necessary.


Well, the time is quickly arriving for the next ALCAN 5000 run. This one is February 23 - March 2, 2012, "Dawson, Tuktoyaktuk and Valdez!". Actually, it's Seattle to Tuk, to Valdez, and home.

So far we have three MINI Coopers. Two are Bob Vogel and myself, coming from the east, plus copilots No-No Nanette and David Thibideau. We are 'veterans' of numerous east coast Arctic runs, to Hudson Bay, Newfoundland and other places. The third is a new MINI owner. The guy actually is a multi-winner of previous winter runs. (But they don't count because he used a Subaru or something funky)

In total there are probably another 10 or 12 spaces (cars) available. 30 in total. We are looking for and welcome MORE MINI Coopers!

Bob Vogel and a lot of the other guys are driving the rally aspect serious. Me? If I get to the ice roads up at the Beaufort Sea, I am a happy camper. So, in other words, there is room for every type of driver.

Here is a link to the map of the trip http://www.alcan5000.com/pdf/2012Route.pdf and, the itinerary http://www.alcan5000.com/2012itin.htm

Bob and I will be driving home from Valdez to the east. He is driving out there, I will be shipping my car and picking it up in Seattle. You'd have lots of options as well.

If any of you know us from previous Hudson Bay runs, MINIs on Top, local rallies, etc you know we are a fun bunch of guys who enjoy our cars and our trips. (ie, don't let the bravo, gung-ho nature of the Alcan site deter you) This is not the least expensive road trip you will every take, but it is shaping up to be one of the best. We are going to have a blast and enjoy ourselves, and we are inviting you!

Feel free to email me for more info, or Jerry Hines at Alcan, or just sign up!

David Rose aka DUCTTAPE

 

I'm still debating whether I want to give this a try. I really wish I could somehow sweet talk Flow MINI into providing me a vehicle to use for this. I'd be glad to wrap some vinyl advertising for them, blog, etc. But that probably ain't gonna happen.

 

I realize yours is the first reply, but I have a feeling lots of folks feel the same as you. If only... What about... How can I...

I think at the end of the day it boils down to life is short, this is a once every 4 year event, driving MINIs with other MINI folk is the greatest thing since the invention of sliced bread, and I am just going to do it.

We ALL have more reasons not to than to. I think the secret is to listen to the reasons to do it. We know those are more compelling and will lead to more fun.

Just Do It! (There, on our way to a Nike sponsorship. See how easy this is?)

 

Looking forward to this and can't wait to get back out on those icy roads again!

The high point of MINI ownership has been those winter rund end to end on the TransLabrador Highway; to Radisson Quebec a couple of times (on both the "official" James Bay Road as well as on private roads owned by HydroQuebec), and out to St. John's Newfoundland a couple of times.

Each of those trips started from New York/Boston and involved at least 2500 miles of winter driving in just 4 or 5 days. Labrador in 2007, especially, was quite a remote trip, on some pretty tough surfaces, with lots of oncoming tractor trailer traffic.

Alaska is really the only challenge we have left....bring it on!