Date: 07/10/2012 e 09/10/2012

Saímos of: Haines, Alaska, EUA.

Final destiny: Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canadá.

Total distance: 765 km

Travel time: A day and Duas noites.

Path: We took the ferry across Inside Passage and, so, nos despedíamos do Alasca.

Where to sleep: In the chaos of the rest room, na balsa.

What we eat good: The food was not the best ferry, but got two sandwiches for free on the first day! J

Tire cheio: The opportunity to meet new people, sem pressa e sem a rotina normalmente corrida da Expedição.

Tire murcho: Sleeping on the floor is never good right! (hehehe)

Was 16h Day 07 October and we were ready to board the ferry that would take us from Haines to Prince Rupert, a trip 2 days, stopping to exchange vessel only once. We boarded with Tana and sailed around 17h toward Juneau, the state capital of Alaska, where would exchange ferry to leave then finally to Prince Rupert, Canada not. Tana Paramos a raft, along with several other cars, e subimos para a para fazer um reconhecimento da embarcação.

Entering the ferry

Essa route we would do between Haines (to north) and Prince Rupert (most southerly), sailing between islands and the mainland is known as Inside Passage (in Portuguese, interior passage). It does not come to pass by the open sea and the impression was that, As is ground on both sides, We were down a great river. Mountains covered with ice, glaciers and sometimes even whales are often seen things on that route (unfortunately the "high season" of whales had just a few weeks ago and I could not see any). But still, is a surreal landscape, especially when you remember that this is simply a "ferry" for routine users!

How much time we would not be in it, do not bother to look for good places, we just sat in the observation deck outdoors watching the beautiful scenery passing before our eyes while there was still a bit of daylight. The night came quickly and then down to Jantar we prepare to land, pois Juneau já estava próxima e precisaríamos dirigir a Tana até o outro ferry.

Passing time

As we did not know for sure how long we had to exit a ferry and embark on another, and so we were careful that everything was ok already removed the Tana and take it to the point of waiting for the boarding another ferry. However, then we found out that our expectations were not very real: we had to wait over 3 hours for boarding. Well, back a bit, so stop with Tana in the waiting area realize that the entry of passengers walk was about to be released. Therewith, we split and 3 of us went to the queue of passengers without car, others 2 were hoping to steer the ship when it authorized. The pedestrian entrance seemed a race. Let us explain why: not many people are willing to pay for cabins for sleeping and, then, bring their sleeping bags and pillows to lie in any public place of the ship and sleep. We, clear, we fit into this category. Therewith, when opening the entry for all passengers who are going with this intention immediately in search of the best places! We were in 3, then we parted and soon we were dropping our junk where we thought it a good place. After a few laps on the ship discovered a "small room of rest" that was definitely the best option for sleep: ground "soft" (carpet), few windows (what deixava dark) and with ample space between seats, encaixarmos great for our sleeping bags! Confirmamos nossa escolha logo que percebemos que várias pessoas foram atrás desse lugar hahaha.

Meanwhile Gabriel and Gustavo, accompanying the Tanajura, continued to wait outside and ended up making friends with other drivers who also awaiting shipment of their vehicles in ship. But one of them was special: Jeremy - a plumber approximately 34 years old, very smart and with a great life story, we talked a lot even within the ship (we will tell soon). It was almost midnight, the cold began to tighten. We were already hungry and after nearly 3 hours late, finally got put Tana na raft. Next step was to look for something to eat, since with the long delay in the exchange of ships could not eat anything. We had luck! The snack bar was about to close and you then saw our guys hungry and offered us two free sandwiches! Partimos para dormir nos espaços que tínhamos reservado.

We woke up the next day without haste, because this would be the day we would spend just on the ferry. We used to read a lot, write and play our favorite game of ships: One or! Hahaha. But one of the highlights of the crossing was able to chat with other passengers and watch the beautiful landscape of mountains of snow, glaciers, birds dived for fish, addition of small villages that were outside the channel Inside Passage, surrounded by pine. Foi nesse dia que pudemos conhecer melhor a história do Jeremy.

Reading, listening to music, resting…

The conversation began with him only the night boarding in Juneau through simple (and practical people costumeira) curiosity that Tanajura woke them. “Diesel hein?! Legal! …What kind of brakes you use? …This cool bumper! What kind of material did you use? …In how many inches you raised her?"These, Among many other questions showed that Jeremy knew about off-road. Actually he gave us a lesson. It, em moments, showed us the journals in off-road he signed and photos of your darling! By 4×4 yellow that looked like a bigfoot so high! Jeremy was a plumber and in his spare time took her 4×4 to "play" (As he spoke) mud in the interior of Oregon, where he grew up and where his parents and siblings still living. Jeremy still in boarding Tanajura gave us, also, a lesson on the cities there Inside Passage. Told us about the size of major cities and the "fight" between environmental policy, politicians and residents who were divided in opinion create a road that would connect Juneau (Alaskan capital to do) the rest of the continent. It turns out that Juneau is a small town surrounded by high mountains and glaciers and has no roads that cut and allow the city to more easily "connected with the rest of the world". If on one hand this would impact the environment, the rich nature of the region and also its "status" of small and harmonious village; second, its residents have other options out there, This would represent also an alternative to the ferry (such that we were getting) and the small airport in the city - by the way, both much more expensive costs to exit and enter the city. So, By this connection unless something practical and trivial, costs of city life are quite high, mainly with basic issues like food, uma vez que tudo chega ou de balsa ou de avião.

Conversation with Jeremy

And the conversation continued with Jeremy on the boat. He told us how his routine was working there in the region and behaved like the union to which he belonged. Reported on labor relations between companies, union and professional technical level, as ele. Muito interesting, because we know a little of the organization of these relations, their pay levels, advantages and disadvantages to each party involved, especially when compared to what happens in Brazil, where the demand for skilled labor is increasingly scarce. It could be an alternative model for us, but need to be well adapted, because workers and unions would be too beholden to corporate interests, sem muita flexibilidade e com altos riscos em situações de crise no país.

But the subject that Jeremy was more sensitive in discussing, and we most alongamos, was abortion. Although the subject is very controversial (not the whole world, by the way), Jeremy stated their opinions on this, about how he saw the interference of the State and also the theme on how this interference can impact and shape the thinking of American society. Jeremy still married to 15 years and he and his wife tried a son when he still had 16, but the baby died in the womb of his wife. The following year tried again and this time they had their first child. Other attempts have occurred and Jeremy and his wife lost more 1 or 2 children of miscarriage before reaching the number of 4 sons who have now. The losses rocked much to him and his wife who have studied the issue enough. Today Jeremy asks very lucid state intervention in the American health, once there is support and funding abortion methods and a disregard with respect to poor people with serious illnesses or even terminally ill (something that was not the first time we hear). He also spoke about the issue of the use of weapons in the country and how he sees a reversal of values ​​in society and in education as a whole. Jeremy sought religion a few years ago and now their daughters are missions to help communities at risk in countries of South America and Africa. Truly an amazing life story and that greatly moved us and made us think hard!

O barco prosseguia e a paisagem do lado de fora era mesmo exuberante.

Glaciers in the landscape

Observation deck of the ferry

At the end of the second day docked in Ketchikan, stop where Jeremy and descend, how we would get 2 hours standing laser, he invited us to see the car he had built with his own hands! We waited in a cafe near the port and in a few minutes he returned with his wife and with the car so we knew. The vehicle was actually a contraption, all modified, with a suspension that left much louder than a normal car, cutouts on the hood for engine breathing, current support for the driver get up, all designed to the smallest detail. Too bad the time was short and soon had the fire to voltarmos the boat, mas antes o Jeremy fez questão de orar por nós e pedir bênçãos para o nosso retorno à parte sul do continente.

We with Jeremy, your wife and your car!

According to changes made to the Jeremy

We returned to the boat for our last game of Uno. 23h was almost crying when a man passed by the ship's restaurant where we played our partidinhas: “There are some nice Northern Lights out there!” (Northern Lights is what they call the Aurora Borealis). And off we went running to the top where there was a ferry deck open for viewing from view. No wonder the amazement of the man as they are unusual cases of Aurora here in southern Alaska. Why E? In a simplistic way, and since we are not scientists, We can explain the Aurora as follows: O Sun, Alem de luz, also emits charged particles in space a lot of energy. These particles as they approach the Earth are "absorbed" by our atmosphere and displaced towards the poles of the planet (due to the magnetic attraction of the poles). Thus these particles collide with atoms of Earth (Oxygen mainly, we breathe, and Nitrogen) generating a chemical process in which releases light. Why the lights emitted by this collision of particles can only be seen near the poles of the Earth! Since the light emitted by the sun is stronger than the light emitted by these particles, Aurora can only be seen at night, with clear skies, cloudless. So, on a clear day, The later, less influence of city lights and closer to the poles you are, will be easier to see Aurora. Normally this combination occurs closer to winter, where the nights are longer and the weather (in the case of Alaska) but e seco, without influence of clouds. So, only very strong solar flares are able to allow it to be viewed as a place "far" Polo, where as there were! Something unusual happened! Eita fate, hein!!!

Aurora borealis giving greenish sky

Coincidence or not, this was our last night here in Alaska, because the next day already atracaríamos in Canada. The parade here in Ketchikan with Jeremy was, officially, Our last stop on the territory of our first goal (Alaska) and marks the beginning of a new phase: the descent into Ushuaia, Land of Fire, ou chamada também de O Fim do Mundo.

Fresh air to come. And the journey continues!

Want to see more photos of our trip? Click here!

The post Inside Passage – Staring at the start of the lap appeared first on 4x1.

Date: 28/09/2012 à 30/09/2012

Saímos of: Coldfoot, AK

Destination: Denali National Park, AK

Distance: 590 km

Travel time: 12 hours, pulling near 2 hour stop in Fairbanks for dinner and relax, and other stops along the way

Path: We take back the Dalton Highway, até a Elliot Highway, we dropped again to Fairbanks. From, followed by George Park Highway to the entrance of Denali National Park, próxima à cidade de Healy.

Where to sleep: Chão quentinho e gostoso da agência de correios do parque. After spending a tremendous cold camping in the camping area, mail (post office) with the lobby open 24 horas foi a solução para não congelarmos durante a noite.

What eat different: King crab (carangueijo) and more natural salmon! We take our passage to savor the culinary delights even more in Alaska 49th State Pub & Restaurant.

Tire cheio: The ballet's magical Aurora Borealis! So after much anxiety and positive thinking, finalmente fomos premiados por um espetáculo de luzes no céu do Denali.

Tire murcho: Park partially closed! Unfortunately, could not pass the mile 30 do Denali, since the road was closed from then on for the winter season. We arrived about 10 dias atrasados.

Denali National Park - Amigo Urso, Magic Bus and the magic of the aurora

After unforgettable days in wilderness, We were treated to a light show as never seen before. The Denali is truly a special place, which, no doubt about it, já tem um espaço reservado para sempre em nossas lembranças.

After we reach the most northern point of our expedition, in the icy mountains of Atigun Pass, we headed south. We left the morning of Coldfoot toward the famous Denali National Park and Preserve. The park encompasses more than 25.000 km ² of montanhas, forests and lots of wildlife. Ali is also home to the highest mountain in North America, o gigante Mckinley, with 6.194 metros.

Monte Mckinley, postcard park

Even with all our efforts, I could not get the time to have the entire park open for visit. The roads that cross the Denali are fully flyable during the summer season, from the middle of May until September. From dai, with the arrival of cold and snow in the region, a good part of the park is closed to visitors. There is still the possibility to participate in a lottery to get visit Denali whole car a few days after the closure of roads, but it is very difficult to achieve, devido à intensa concorrência.

From mid-September, Denali closes part of their roads due to weather conditions

Snow White takes over the landscape

Happily, was not all bad we missed the date. A visit to Denali in the summer, from Mile 15, can only be made with a bus available from park management. This runs regularly through the points of interest along the 91 miles (146 km) of highway cortam the park. Os visitantes podem descer e subir nas paradas que mais tiverem interesse. But, not allowed to use their own vehicle during this period. In other words, se chegássemos a tempo nunca poderíamos rodar com a Tanajura no interior do parque. Isso deixaria nossa parceira bastante sentida, tadinha! Then, in the end, although we found the only open until Denali mile 30 (48 km), had the pleasure of bringing us Tana, o que tornou a visita ainda mais especial.

Tanajura happy to visit the park

It was late evening when we passed the park entrance. In the darkness, we come to the only campground that was not closed for the winter season, already near the park entrance. Or was quite organized camping, with placeholders, tables and restrooms. And it was free. There was still some travelers out there, most of them in their gigantic RV (or RVs – Recreational Vehicles).

The temperature hovered around 0 º C, As we prepared to spend the night. We had not eaten dinner and there was no hope of finding something open at that hour in the vicinity. That's when we decided to cook a soup that we bought on the way. The task became very difficult with the cold and icy wind, who would not let anything in our toaster oven warmed pot. Suddenly, solution! Remember one a curious recommendation on the official website of the park. There is a post office (Post Office) in the Denali, que tem o saguão aberto 24 hours. The message indicated that it was the perfect place for those who wanted to escape the cold a little park. We did not know exactly what they meant by this, but we have seen this recommendation the only way to get a meal that night. We brought the utensils inside, juntamente com a nossa mesa desmontável e preparamos uma sopinha gostosa em uma temperatura agradável dentro do post office.

Dinner toasty inside the post

We think up to spend the night over there too, even in the lobby, but we decided to test our resistance to cold of Alaska. For? Before we had even gotten in the mail! We were beaten during the night! Nem mesmo o aquecedor que compramos para tentar ajudar deu conta conforme a madrugada caía e o termomêtro baixava ao negativo.

Icy morning in camping

Despite the cold, agreed to forward the following day, when we finally take a look at what the park has to offer. We went through Murie Science and Learning Center, an information center that functioned as the visitor center in the winter season, since the others were closed. We know the trails and learn about the park and the animals we could find on the way, antes de partir para a natureza selvagem.

Snow-capped mountains adorn the landscape

We decided to complete the miles by car possible (even miles 30), enjoying the weather was relatively open (at least more open than in previous days). The snow already took care of the landscape and the mud road from Mile 15. We were in no hurry, enjoying the mountain scenery and the animals that gave time or another faces. No horizon, who appeared was the giant Mount Mckinley, postcard park. His name is controversial. The natives used to call him alaskianos Denali (“the high one” ou o grande na linguagem Athabaska), but at the end of the nineteenth century, o dono de uma mineradora na região, gave the name to Mount Mckinley, as a form of political support to then President William Mckinley. Although this continues to be the official name of the mountain, o povo do Alasca ainda prefere manter as tradições e chama-lo de Denali mesmo.

View of Mount McKinley, or Denali, as the native

We reached the mile 30, where a gate prevented to follow the path. This stop has a beautiful view of Rio Teklanika, who became famous in the movies by preventing the passage of Christopher McCandless Alexander Supertramp or back to civilization in the film Into the Wild (“Into the Wild”). Para quem não conhece, o filme conta a história de um jovem que decidiu romper seus laços com a sociedade e ter uma experiência pura na natureza. Este seguiu seu rumo justamente ao Denali, where never returned. Remembered the film at all times within the park. Until today we discussed whether he had some kind of influence this crazy idea to go to Alaska by car. The Teklanika saw that there was not even the mighty river movie, since in winter the water freezes again and just get volume with the melting snow in the summer. We proved that McCandless would probably not have problems to cross it a few months later. For those not familiar with the movie, recommendation is! Very good!

Teklanika frozen river in autumn

We were taking some photos in our back, when a friendly park ranger pulled up beside us and asked if we had seen any wildlife. “Have you seen any wildlife?”, asked with a smile. We stopped to really think and had seen very little that day. Mas Little did we know it was for a short time…

Photo stop at road

We followed the road when, suddenly, demos in front with a giant bear grizzly!!! It was right there, in the road, walking without worries. If I were a cartoon would probably be singing a song of those very happy. He was shocked to see Tanajura and ran straight to the snow. Happily, after a few seconds, Bear thought twice and decided to keep walking around the track. He followed closely by the Tanajura few meters, like good friends. It was chilling to see the bear so closely!

Our friend was startled by the bear Tanajura…

…fled to snow…

…looked suspiciously…

…giggled…

…and again run alongside the Tanajura!

And crossed the river to swim!

As we still had some time to daylight, decided to make a track to finish the ride. We stopped at mile 15, to the path that surrounds the Savage River. At the visitor center told us that was where we would have more chances to see wildlife. With the bear we saw nearby, we do not leave the car without pepper spray in our hands. Bears may look cute and cuddly, but from solving up, no one hold. We followed the directions of the leaflets and were talking loudly the whole way, to draw attention to our presence. Bears do not like to be surprised. Increase the volume even more after seeing the footprints in fresh snow, that in order not bear were. No fim, no luck (or random) by ali, and not come across any animal. Mas já estávamos bastante satisfeitos com a nossa experiência com o grizzly horas antes.

Savage River, where we made our tracks

The trail followed the river bank

Coyote footprint (probably) na neve

We left the park in the late afternoon into the city for dinner Healy. On the way, we saw a restaurant that looked nice, the 49th State Pub & Restaurant. There was a lot of movement, so we decided to take a look to see what he was so special. That's when knotted in our heads. O ônibus mágico de Christopher McCandless (the film Into the Wild - Into the Wild) paradinho was in front of us! But what he was doing there?? Should not you be in the woods?? After a few minutes of confusion, find the answer on restaurant menu. The bus that was there was what was used in the filming of the movie. It works as a sort of museum, contando a história de McCandless a partir de cópias de fotografias e anotações, que ele mesmo registravam ao longo de sua viagem.

Com or magical ônibus Trombamos!

If that was the real talk, acreditaríamos!

The setting of the film and pictures with the story of Chris

When we came to Alaska to seek various information on Stampede Trail, which leads to the BUSES became famous in cinema. But, found that the trail is not usually done and is still very dangerous. Very few guides know the path, it would take a few days in the forest to be completed. Some people by the way, lost in the park or even died trying to complete it. Even the official website of Christopher McCandless, maintained by his family, recomenda às pessoas que não façam a trilha. The motive for the bus to be there the film was exactly this. The restaurant owner says he bought the bus from the producers of the film so that he was available for people to take their pictures without risking their lives for them. Ele you sensibilizou with the case u European tourist who drowned in the river Teklanika trying to reach BUSES. Moreover, was curious to see how all local criticize the stupidity of Chris in their decisions. In the end, To our surprise (and joy!), without hope, we got our picture with the magic bus!

Everyone is risked in the pose!

After a very hearty dinner, com e direito a King Crab King Salmon (a delight!), headed for another cold night in the park. Only this time the thermometer already marked negative temperature. If we had spent the night before cold, now imagine. That's when the post office again appeared alongside save our lives. "Today there is no escape, 'll sleep on the floor even!!”, think. And we did, until a lady who wanted to check his mailbox awoke in the morning. But okay, oddly enough, was a good (and quentinha) noite are!

Carangueijo (King Crab) and salmão (King Salmon) do Alasca! Like Sem!

The Courier heated invites us to spend the night!

Walk comfortably on the floor of the post office

Another day in the park, took the Tanajura for a walk in search of wildlife. This time we saw our friend bear close, but some appeared in other forest. Moose and reindeer also gave the guys once in a while. We passed the kennels, where trained dogs to sleds made our visit to the party. All Huskies eles alaskianos, um mais bonito que o outro.

Husky Alaskiano sorrindo for Photos

Watchful eyes!

Baita moleza!

We did another track in the Savage River, this time up the mountain for a beautiful view over the park. The walk lasted about an hour and a half and had the right rises somewhat tilted and Ice. Mas a vista vale o esforço.

Up to the view from the top

Quite cold and snow on the way

Vista Trail

The weather had improved compared to previous days, being that the heavy clouds that covered the sky for most of the time had dissipated mostly. It was our hope! In recent days, despite all positive thinking, the weather was closed, preventing the phenomenon that we could see more in the region urged, A Aurora Boreal. Throughout our journey, from or tied or Alasca Yukon, we were looking for this wonder, mas sem sucesso até então. Para aumentar nossa expectativa, o Denali costuma ser um ótimo local para observar a explosão de cores no céu durante a noite.

Happy with the open time!

From that day was nothing, it was now or never!!! The sky finally opened, Aurora forecasts for good, darn cold (say the Aurora appears most strongly in the cold days) and we wake. We were in the car waiting for the show. We would be as long as was!! That's when we saw a spot shy away from the sky. Was that as the famous Aurora?? We got out of the car to check. We were almost in when a disappointing faixo Green crossed the skies. He moved from side to side as if dancing. When we realized, the lights were dancing everywhere. Green, purple, pink, colors variavam! Ficamos ecstatic, admiring this wonder! Hard to explain in words and pictures the feeling, but it was as if something were happening really magical. And curiously, the moon was more crowded than ever, perhaps the brightest of the whole trip. Em theory, the full moon like that should disturb our vision of dawn, but we prefer to think that she just left the most beautiful scenery!

Light show at Northern Lights!

Green takes over the sky!

It does not seem real!

The moon shone brightly in the sky

But cheia, impossible!

Our days in Denali could not finish better way. The Aurora came to crown one of the most intense experiences and different that the expedition had hitherto. We go on, there is still much to explore!

To see more photos of Denali, click here!

The post Denali National Park - Amigo Urso, Magic Bus and the magic of the aurora appeared first on 4x1.

Date: 26/09/2012 a 27/09/2012

Saímos of: Fairbanks, Alaska

Final destiny: Most northern point of the Expedition 4×1: 68° 24,168 'Latitude Norte (north of the Arctic Circle and the town of Coldfoot - Alaska)

Total distance: 525 km

Travel time: 10 horas incluindo paradas.

Path: We left Fairbanks and soon caught the Dalton Highway rumo a Coldfoot.

Where to sleep: At home in a Norwegian Wiseman e no único “hotel” de Coldfoot.

What we eat good: Sanduíche of Salmão, near the river Yukon.

Filled Tire : Power reaches the Arctic Circle and experience the Tundra!

Tire murcho: O clima – que estava muito nublado – e o alto preço do “hotel” em Coldfoot.

"Of all the truly wild places remaining on earth, none is as majestic as the Arctic. Today, this unforgiving landscape has become almost impossible to be inhabited. But for families who live here, The Arctic is home. " (free translation of the narrative of actress Meryl Streep in the film 'To The Arctic').

The Alaska in the Arctic Circle

Agreed under the strong sun and dry Fairbanks, although the temperature rotated around 5 ° C, cold does not bother him so much. In the initial planning, when we left Sao Paulo, the idea was to go only up to Fairbanks, and from there begin to "descend". But after a visit to Museum of the North and read the posts and comments of Rodrigo and Ana (dispatch '1000 Every Day For America ') not resist the temptation to go meet one of the harshest environments and difficult to survive on Earth. Tínhamos to touch the Arctic!

We collect our tents and set up the breakfast right there in the supermarket parking lot Safeway. We left around 10am and immediately picked up one of the most isolated roads: the Dalton Highway.

The Dalton connects Elliot Highway (north Faibanks) to the town of Deadhorse (which actually is more like a village with a mere 50 permanent residents) and is the last stop before the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay, no Ocean Ártico! Therefore, Prudhoe Bay are considered (unofficially) the most northern point of the Pan-American Highway! Then, we set off in search of finding also the most northern point of our expedition!!!

Bruno pointing north at the beginning of the Dalton Highway!

A Dalton Highway, if Só, is an attractive part. The road is not paved in some sections due to excess snow (em good part of the year) and heavy trucks wearing track. So, many passages become a large puddle and even slippery, due to rain or ice on the runway. The Dalton was built to accompany the long pipeline (pipeline) coming out of the oil fields in Prudhoe Bay to Valdez direction, do not the Alaskan. Thus, besides truckers who work directly or indirectly for services related to the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay, only a few curious tourists or hunters face this relentless road to Arctic! But despite remote, Road receives daily flow of approximately 200 trucks and serves to support the maintenance of complex products that are specially made to withstand the harsh winter temperatures down to -50 ° C!

The pipeline adjacent to the Dalton Highway!

And so were we, slowly heading north. Near 3 and a half hours after leaving Fairbanks and almost 220 km percorridos, we crossed the Yukon River. That's when we decided to stop at one of the cafeterias rare road, Seated next to the river. We ate a delicious salmon burger sandwich with potato salad! Of course, we draw attention to other truck drivers who were there. After all, destoávamos in age and appearance of the rest of those experienced gentlemen with a gray beard and pale skin. One – that lunch with a younger boy, his companion work – came to our table wondering who were the owners of that black truck with plate São Paulo! "You really came from São Paulo far?!"Asked Mr., while pointing to where St. Paul was his young companion, a large world map hanging on the wall of the restaurant. "Yes sir!"- Respond contented. We all our script and he said that we were on the edge of the ideal time to go through that region. Conversation will, conversation comes, they recommended us to the following Atigun Pass, within Brooks Range (a mountain range just north of the Arctic Circle). We looked on the map where it was and we!

Upsidedown: A -Fairbanks; Show Arctic Circle; C -Coldfoot; D -Atigun Pass – ALASKA

The cloudy weather and the gradual decline of trees along the road (as we moved further north) gave a slightly morbid to visual. When, suddenly, we saw a family of grizzly bears (ourc brown) along the track! Os pobres ursos correram assustados da Tanajura provavelmente imaginando o que aquela “coisa” preta e gigante fazia ali em seu remoto território.

The purpose, is this territory that lies the tundra! (anyone remember her from school days?!) Located between positions 60 ° and 75 ° north latitude, tundra vegetation is a typically rasteira! Covered in ice much of the year or during the swampy soil 2 summer months in the region (since the low heat and low soil drainage slow to absorb the melting snow), what is most striking in the tundra is the fact not present trees!!! That's it, the predominant vegetation is moss, lichens and low shrubs that take advantage of maximum temperatures of 12 ° C in summer (The maximum is 12 ° C on the hottest days!!!) when an "explosion" of plant life. This "explosion" that allows some birds, hares, sheep, reindeer, bison and caribou to feed enough to face the long winter!

Our first and most impressive contact the tundra occurred in the Finger Mountain is an area along the Dalton Highway where, embedded in its center, There is a granite rock protruding finger-shaped (Finger Rock) that marks a major territories where the natives of Alaska hunted in the past. It was a visual of how those imagined a world without life. But while that seems dead, tundra to impress those few remaining living and lichens that cross our path before the arrival of the long and harsh winter…. The cold increased and the temperature was already below zero. Read the information boards that in ensinaram on the flora and fauna of the tundra (there near Finger Rock) and proceed by Dalton Highway rumo a Coldfoot.

A sheep posed for photo in the cold Arctic!

A Finger Rock, where for thousands of years Native hunters watched mammoths walking through the Tundra – em Finger Mountain, AK

Over a few tens of kilometers traveled and we got one of the most important milestones of the Expedition 4×1 yet: the board of the Arctic Circle!!! A light drizzle began to fall from that sky loaded as alerting us that we were entering one of the most exotic and untouched wildlife on Earth. Parallel to the equator, The Arctic Circle is one of 5 major circles of latitude on our planet and cuts Dalton Highway at position 66 ° 33 'north latitude! This cold zone has an average temperature of only 10 ° C during the warmer months; and all regions inside the circle have at least one day with 24 sunshine (summer) or sunless (no winter)!!! Therefore, over the territories north of the Arctic Circle may be severe with many animals and plants that inhabit. The most populous city of the Americas within the circle is the Arctic town of Barrow, no Alaska, approximately 4.000 people!

Expedition across the board the Arctic Circle on Dalton Highway, AK

Linh blue demarcating the Arctic Circle

Around 20h after more than 400Km and we got lots of pictures in Coldfoot! With only 10 permanent residents (this same, ten!!!), Coldfoot serves as a stop for truckers who flock to Prudhoe Bay. It, com along Wiseman (village next to Coldfoot), is the last option for housing before Deadhorse - E ai? Were surprised by the fact they only 10 people and some truckers in Coldfoot?! Well then imagine our reaction to seeing that in the midst of 5 trucks parked there we found a mini-van in Brazil!!! - We did not believe!! As there was possible at the end of North America, in a village containing less than that moment 40 people find a Brazilian couple who made an expedition with his sons novinhos from Santa Catarina! UNBELIEVABLE!! The Brazilian ford over the world!

Surprise in Coldfoot! O veículo dos brasileiros da Expedição 'Familia na Estrada'

A small Coldfoot, Alaska

Well, Coldfoot has only one hotel / restaurant and a petrol station and, then, the price of the "hotel" is a "dab" of 200 dollars for a room for two people! We talked with the owner, we dispatch, our budget constraint, etc.. e etc.. and after much insisting he offered us the price of family, arriving at the price of 100 dollars per room for two people. The price was still salty for us. So, follow toward the town of Wiseman hoping arrumarmos something at a better price. In 5 minute barrier in the village was founded around 1919 by miners and now has 7 houses and about 14 permanent residents. The first houses that we saw were empty and the snow began to fall hindering our vision amid the narrow streets and irregular Wiseman. After we ran a little and do not find the two places that there should exist, we saw a smoke coming from the chimney of one house that seemed inhabited. Gustavo took courage and knocked on the door. A Norwegian approximately 40 and attended a few years and then showed him how to get to both places. We shot, approach both alojamentos and nothing done. One was packed to be getting a group of hunters and the other did not accept 5 people in a single room. Our only option seemed to be back to Coldfoot and pay the 100 U.S. dollar. But we were not happy with this and decided to once again ask Arild (the name of Norsk) if there was nothing else in the region. Gustavo again knocked on his door and told him about the trip and our search for a place to stay. Then asked Arild: "How many of you are"? "We are in 5" - said Gustavo. "Caramba! 5 in a single car? E for many kilometers?! So I guess I will not bother to stay here, some? The house is small, but you can accommodate. "Genial!!! Without hesitation accept the invitation, and below the snow falling, Tanajura withdraw some things and ran into the house. The Arild offered us some beers and made a snack (with some things that we had in the car) We played knock while a long chat with him. Arild construiu Aquele durante chalé 3 summers there and he had made a childhood dream: have a house in a remote place in Alaska! We talked about our countries and cultures, on Alaska, sobre to American culture…e o papo se estendeu até mais de 23h30.

Arild's house, em Wiseman, AK

Expedition 4×1 together with Arild, em Wiseman, AK

The next morning as we keep our stuff back in the car we noticed that we broke one of the screws that were used to support the opening of the tent. Armed with tools and screws that held the construction of your home, Arild it gave us a hand and 15 minutes we were in the tent repaired! We took some pictures, we parted and it was time to leave. We went in search of the most northern point of the Expedition!

Arild giving us a "helping hand" with tent, em Wiseman, AK

Photo in front of the house Arild with the beautiful view of the mountains in the background Wiseman, AK

We started to unravel a little more and go to the tundra stretches considered one of the most dangerous Dalton Highway no winter. The road is presented in some American TV serials like 'Ice Road Truckers’ (Ice Road Truckers) e o ‘America’s Toughest Jobs’ (America's toughest jobs) and has also appeared on BBC program called World’s Most Dangerous Roads (most dangerous roads in the world). The road has all this fame mainly by the huge amount of snow that falls in there most of the year and, mainly, by passage through Atigun Pass (the one you recommended and the boy in the restaurant that we had lunch the day before). The Atigun Pass is the highest pass in Alaska open year round and is the only means of crossing the mountain range called Brooks (Brooks Range) by land routes. Due to their inclination and the amount of snow along the greater part of the year, He is responsible for numerous avalanches and play many truckers off the road! Also, from that narrow in the mountains of Brooks Range, são divididos os rios do Alasca que correm sentido ao Oceano Ártico daqueles que correm sentido ao Pacífico.

Início da Brooks Range

Tanajura poses for photo before facing the most dangerous stretch of the Dalton Highway

We arrive at Atigun Pass after almost 3 hours and stopped for some photos. The road was covered with snow and visibility increasingly compromised. We walked down the ravine and rode slowly over tens of kilometers not sure if we should head to Deadhorse - hoping to get to Prudhoe Bay and the Arctic Ocean view - or come back. But the news we had was that the chances were slim accommodation in Deadhorse; and that buses are allowed to take tourists for Prudhoe Bay to the Arctic Ocean had ended its activities in a week. Thus, no longer worth risking further north and follow. We decided to follow a few more miles and we reached the position 68 ° 24 'North Latitude!

-9 degrees Celsius and a lot of fog in the middle of Atigun Pass – one of the most dangerous stretches of the Dalton Highway

Magdalene indicates the 68 graus e 24 minutes north latitude! The farthest point north of the Expedition 4×1!

This position was a major milestone in our lives. Not only was the end of our "up" and the point would mark the return to the south of the continent, but it was also likely the closest point that we would come to some of the Earth's poles, by land routes, in our lives. Though (by land routes) Ushuaia is the southern boundary of the Americas, its geographical position in relation to the South Pole is much farther than that point there is in Alaska over the North Pole. As Rodrigo dispatch '1000 Days for America 'explains in his post about passing them by Coldfoot, North America is much further north than South America is the South. In other words, we're on the same latitude we reach there by car in Alaska (68°), mas to South Instead of North, would be far beyond Ushuaia. Would be in effect in the Antarctic Peninsula!!! Incredible to think about it right?!

Our brand in the farthest point north that the expedition reached, to Dalton Highway, AK

It was time to return. Rumo ao Sul! After this achievement, began returning toward Coldfoot! This time we had no other option, we had to get the room for two beds 100 U.S. dollar. Three of us slept on the floor and, next morning, we went to one of the main tourist destinations in Alaska: Denali National Park!

Our hotel room in Coldfoot, AK!

Want to see more photos?? Be sure to confer them, just click here!

The post The Ice Road towards the Far North of the Americas appeared first on 4x1.

Date: 25/09/2012

Local: Fairbanks, AK (introduction to Alaska)

Where to sleep: We camped in the parking lot of Safeway in North Pole, ao lado de Fairbanks.

What we eat good: A truly delicious salmon fishery in Alaska!

Filled Tire : A visit or Museum of the North na Universidade do Alasca.

Tire murcho: Fairbanks was passing by quickly, Then had no

Was no give 24 September 2012 we reached a major goal of the Expedition 4×1: Alaska!

The sun gives a warm welcome in one of the parks in Alaska – Denali National Park!

After crossing the border we go through the last few miles of that magical 24 September. Would be more 450 miles to our first stop in Alaska: the city North Pole. We had just finished dinner at Delta Junction and we were quite tired. The initial idea was to go to Fairbanks (would only 20km more) but decided to stop in the friendly city where is Santa's house! That's it, taking advantage of the name North Pole (or the North, in Portuguese), the city has a home of Santa Claus with Christmas themed stuff, é clear! One curiosity is that, thanks to all that, couriers city annually receive hundreds of thousands of letters from American children to send, all year, Your request to the jolly old elf! With all the campgrounds in the area closed because of winter, decided to set up our tents in the parking lot of Safeway! And he Tao true that just repeating the dose the next night. (Although the temperature was already below 5 degrees at night)

Magdalene (nosso GPS) Tanajura leads to the first kilometers in Alaska!

But what is really Alaska? What's so special about this place and why so many people think is crazy drive there? And because many adventurers and explorers dream of the day of the meeting with that territory? (Some may even be wondering Sergio Chapelin uttering these questions in any call Globo Reporter, nor? hehehehe)

Well, individual expectations and dreams aside, Alaska comprises one of the largest wildlife refuges in the world. Men, animals and plants, adapted to the rigorous Arctic winter coming, establish an incredibly deep relationship existence. The high mountains, I huge glaciers, the spectacle of the Aurora Borealis, Everything there becomes something special for those who have the privilege of knowing him; specially for us, inhabitants two tropics!

Name Alaska emerged since before colonization, and is derived from the Russian word 'alaxsxaq’, in that Aleutian (native language of the Inuit of Aleutian Islands - the South West of the state) principal means on the ground (the mainland); or in a more literal interpretation of the original word, the meaning would be: 'The object to which the action of the sea is directed " (in a translation-free 'the object towards which the action of the sea is directed’). But the most widely accepted origin, including the Government of the State of Alaska, is also the source Aleutian, Sendo from palavra 'Aleyska'This means' great land' (free translation of great land). Now known by its citizens as'Last Frontier’ (Last Frontier) is at once the most (em area) populated and less state North American!

Plate unmarked car in Alaska underscores the fact that the state is' The Last Frontier' (The Last Frontier)

But who are the Aleut? Are those who know how Eskimos! Dependent sea, the Aleut are Alaska natives who occupied and still occupy the Aleutian Islands and the southwest regions of the state. They were the first to have contact and being exploited by the first Europeans to arrive to Alaska: Russians! Yes, os russos foram os primeiros a aportarem à região no final do século 17.

Theories suggest that some independent Russian expedition, or interested in research, came and dwelt among some Alaskan islands 1650 and early 1700. But it was in 1728 the Russians made the first official expedition to discover what in fact had its east Siberia. So, ‘Peter The Great’ enviou Vitus Bering (this same, the guy who gave the name of the famous narrow! to discover whether Asia and North America were one continent. And as we know today, Bering proved not! Some expeditions were made and later, besides some islands, descobriram a parte continental do que hoje é o Alaska.

Text back the arrival of the native peoples of Alaska, from Asia to America through the Bering Strait; tens of thousands of years before the arrival of the Russians – no Museum of the North, em Fairbanks, AK

Reports of the abundance of marine animals like seals and otters, among other furry animals attracted many traders animal skin for the region and, from 1794, some Russian colonies were founded in the south and west coasts of Alaska. In this start-up, Russians treated the Aleut brutally! And did not stop there! In 1799, with the promise of profits to the Russian government, stability in the region and the expansion of Christianity among the natives was established Russian-American Company which held the monopoly of the fur trade in the region. (any similarity to the beginning of our colonization is coincidental )Then, cities and povoados foramen founded in southeast Alaska that was where he lived another people native to Alaska, based on a matriarchal society and even more populous than the Aleut: os Tlingit.

Unhappy with the Russian occupation, in 1802 the Tlingit destroyed the ancient city of Sitka, erected by the Russians to expand the business by. In 1804 a cidade de New Archangel (atual Sitka) é construída no lugar.

But, a dramatic decline in the number of otters and increasing competition from American traders overthrow the company's revenue. The financial losses and other political factors influenced the then venda do Alasca para os Estados Unidos em 1867 by 7,2 milhões dollars (or equivalent 120 million dollars today, adjusted for inflation).

Text portrays the "arrival" Americans to Alaska – no Museum of the North

The transition from Russian to American control also allows a change in the role of Alaska Native. Some of those people are to cooperate with the Americans in hunting and other activities. But along with this new role, Americans also brought alcohol and racial intolerance that led to the gradual decline of these peoples and their cultures. Us 45 anos seguintes o estado rendeu bons frutos econômicos aos EUA.

With the discovery of gold mines and other minerals in the state, numerous investments have been made, as the construction of railways. With that thousands of people came to the state and to the Yukon region (neighboring, Canada not) in pursuit of the dream of becoming rich with the discovery of gold! (Remember the story of Seattle as a springboard? No? is quiser, look here) So, Juneau (Alaskan capital to do) and much of Canada's Northwest cities were founded during this period. Many miners worked there until the beginning of the century. But the Great Depression (1929) and early World War II (causing the departure of many men for combat) acabaram por prejudicar e encerrar a maioria das operações na região e o seu gradual despovoamento.

Alaska lives today, basically, exploitation of oil and natural gas (oil exploration is 80% the state's economy) and some of the export of fish (especially salmão, cod and crab). But the neglect of the US central government to the state and the physical distance of the main production centers of the US are some of the reasons why many Alaskans claim to desire emancipation of the state and the creation of a new country indepedente!

And it was there in Fairbanks - more precisely the Museum of the North - From inside University of Alaska we could learn more in depth about this "world" so far from our reality! It happens that, the morning after the night's North Pole (was our second day in Alaska) we went to Fairbanks to meet with the Karen (Rebekah friend gives Seattle) and Shelly - both born and raised in Alaska and who paid us a delicious lunch of salmon!!! They gave us many tips on roads, places and recommend a visit to this museum, that might give us a BELA introduced to what we were about to face that (before) estranho desconhecido.

Expedition 4×1 com a Karen e a Shelly, em Fairbanks – Alaska

With its magnificent structure in the form of external angles, curves and edges that draw attention, the design of the Museum of the North seeks to refer to the natural contours of Alaska: its slopes, mountains and glaciers! And beyond the state's history, The museum covers in detail the native Alaskans (their traditions and habits), typical animals and studies the changes in climate on a global scale and, mainly, the impact of these changes on the evolution of flora and fauna! Muito interesting!

Museum of the North na Universidade do Alaska, em Fairbanks, AK

We were ready! We left there in late afternoon and spent our last night, again, in the parking lot of Safeway (was prático, it was just wake up and go buy bread and cold cuts for breakfast!).

It was time to brave Alaska!!! And the next stop was just one of the harshest environments on Earth: or Ártico!!!!

EXTRA: Curiosities of Alaska!

Climate:

Alaska is known as one of the coldest regions of the planet. But it's cool to clarify some doubts:

Concerned about the perception of tourists, Alaska's government conducted a survey that found that more than a third of visitors to state claim that temperatures found were better than expected. (And if we were part of this research would say the same! But do not take the winter, nor!) During the 3 summer months, temperatures are milder and oscillate at around 20 ° C in the main cities (south of the Arctic Circle) e gradualmente se aproximando de 0°C ainda no início do outono.

Many wonder if there the sun shines all day in summer. Well, u curiosity is that Barrow, the town further north of Alaska (and consequently U.S.) comes to stay 85 consecutive days without the sun goes down!!! But, That does not happen in every state, é clear! No entanto, regions within the Arctic Circle receive at least a day with 24 hours of sunshine a year!

Já no winter, Can I get quietly temperatures to -50 ° C in the interior and north of the state, with the sun appearing in most regions, no minimum, in some hours of the day. Only in the far north the sun is not appear for a few days. At that time, Barrow can stay up 2 months without seeing the sun! One thing that caught our attention was the knowledge that the interior region (and not far north) is where are recorded the coldest temperatures of the state, in which 1971, foi registrada a temperatura de -62,2°C.

In full early Autumn, Snow gives the guys in Denali – one of the main parks in Alaska!

Towns:

Despite having one of the largest wildlife refuges in the world, Alaska is not composed only of igloos :). The state has large cities like, for example, Anchorage, almost 300.000 people. A city of contrasts most cities of the state, having "air" of the great American cities of equal size, com Modern ônibus, large networks of fast-food and first world infrastructure. Following the order of the largest cities, Fairbanks has - the second highest - almost 98 thousand inhabitants in the metropolitan area, followed by Juneau (a capital) with 31 thousand and the towns of Sitka and Ketchikan both around 8 thousand inhabitants each uma. Since these 3 latest within Inside Passage (the Inside Passage - details below).

At the bottom, the small town of Wrangell, Pass the inner (Inside Passage), Alaska

Altitude:

Alaska also has 17 two 20 highest peaks in the U.S. and its highest point, o Monte McKinley (or Denali is also known as) over 6.196 metros é também o ponto mais alto de toda a América do Norte.

Tanajura sight Magdalene and the high mountains of the parks in Alaska

Area:

It is the largest American state is twice larger than the second placed, Texas. The state is divided into 6 regions: Encosta North, Interior, South-west, Centro-Sul, Southeast - which is better known as Panhandle ("Cable pot" - due to its shape with the rest of the state) or Inside Passage (interior passage) - And the Aleut islands. As ilhas Aleútes, extending west from the southern state, come so close to Russia that the distance from Alaska to Russian territory is only 4.8 km!!! The Expedition was 15 days in Alaska and went through 4 these 6 regions! Follow the next posts to know about!!

The post A place called Alaska appeared first on 4x1.

Here you will find a record of all our stories, tips, suggestions and what we'll learn!

The Expedition 4×1 has not yet begun but has become extremely present in our lives. The pre-travel activities are numerous: we have spoken with companies, banks, consulates, skilled hikers and several adventurers. Moreover, we are planning the route, rising budgets for adaptations of the car, taking vaccines, buying itens…and many other things!

Ultimately, looks like the work never ends! Without taking in consideration the construction of this blog, which is a separate chapter ; )

Well, this is just the first post, soon we will post news and many other things!

We hope you have enjoyed the site!!

Expedition 4×1

The post The Beginning – Welcome appeared first on 4x1.