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Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / Next Chapter: Alaska
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Dogone
Member
# Posted: 26 Sep 2020 15:23
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I have several thousand miles on a muskeg carrier in the Yukon . Not fast but a good hauler. Never got stuck I snow but have seen one buried in muskeg. Only had occasional problem with transfer case but simple rebuild.Next step up is a Nodwell but they are usually bigger and pricier.

BadgersHollow
Member
# Posted: 27 Sep 2020 23:14
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Dogone
Do you think it would cross a 2-3 foot well graveled river ok?

NorthRick
Member
# Posted: 29 Sep 2020 14:34
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Quoting: BadgersHollow
Is it quite a bit warmer in Talkeetna? Thinking about a little house down in Trapper Creek for my weekend if it is warmer than Healy in winter



Our cabin is a few miles north of Trapper Creek and west of the highway. We live in Anchorage and head up to the cabin in the winter quite a bit. The temperatures can vary a lot.

It might be 0*F at our house in town, -15*F in Willow, +5*F in Talkeetna, and -25*F in Cantwell. What is really interesting is that at the Talkeenta cutoff/ Parks Hwy intersection it might be 10 or 20 degrees colder then in Talkeetna, 12 miles up the road.

BadgersHollow
Member
# Posted: 9 Oct 2020 00:17
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So initially I had purchased just the bare land, 10 acres for 17k. When my neighbors place became available I pounced on it for the tiny cabin. I put the initial 10 acres up for sale and just sold it for 28k - 2.5 months later. When I bought it, it was listed at 35k. The guy just got desperate to sell and I had the cash. So with the return on investment, I’m really only into my tiny cabin on 10 acres for about 11k. This land is really special, I think. The government and native corporations own 98 percent of everything here. Any ways, just an anecdote on making the land pay for itself.

BadgersHollow
Member
# Posted: 9 Oct 2020 00:39
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Question on river crossings,

My river is about 20 foot wide and 2-3 feet deep. I would say medium current and nice cobble river bottom. What is the best means to cross it? I have just waded it so far. It’s obvious that the neighbors get across on an atv, but it’s borderline to me. I’ve heard Argos are for still water. If I run a cable lead across the channel, would that make for a good safety tether? Or maybe have a pulley system to pull an anchor point to one side or the other with a winch cable hooked from the Argo/atv?

Aklogcabin
Member
# Posted: 9 Oct 2020 12:23
Reply 


If the river is 2-3’ deep now it is probably near it’s lowest point. Current probably pretty strong to. I don’t think a cable or bridge across would be welcome by the neighbors. And would probably be ripped out each spring by floods. You may be restricted to winter access from that route. An Argo would get carried away. I’ve owned one. If winched across do it empty n build a float for freight. Maybe a canoe you could leave there. The most practical I can think of is a buggy. My next one will use a 84 F-250 for a base. You should be able to come across them fairly easy in that area as they are used for rocky mountany areas. As you know. You need enough weight to not get carried away. The extra HP doesn’t hurt around the cabin either.
And I consider investments like equipment as a asset with value. Anything out in the bush takes effort. I would consider it a necessary piece of equipment.
Not many leaves left but beautiful out. Moose counts appear way down . Have you visited with any locals as to success rates? I can watch the snow getting closer towards your cabin from my front windows. Probably close. The river should be frozen over shortly.
I don’t know your experience with snogos. But a used lightweight fan cooled long track. Ski doo elan or polaris Indy trail . That’s what I run for just putting. I like the electric start n reverse these days too. But not necessary. Under a grand should get you started.
Right now. My polaris 6-6 is sitting next to the lake we use to transport in the summer. Not my first choice but sometimes you have to adapt to the best you can get. That’s why it’s sooooo fun.
Stay safe. Maybe we’ll pass somewhere down the trail.

BadgersHollow
Member
# Posted: 9 Oct 2020 13:00
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Ok thanks, 3 feet is about as deep as I’ve seen it since July. Something with decent clearance and high air intake is what I’m seeking.

NorthRick
Member
# Posted: 9 Oct 2020 13:45
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I think a modified ATV might be your best bet. Bigger tires and more clearance and possibly a snorkel.

Alaskajohn
Member
# Posted: 11 Oct 2020 12:34
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Without seeing your river with my own eyes it’s hard to offer real advice. A seasoned outdoorsman lost his life near me earlier this year crossing a river in his Argo. I’ve seen cables across rivers and know folks use such systems to get across.

I’ve read dozens of books about the early pioneers in Alaska. In almost every book includes a story of a near death experience crossing rivers.

You might want to pose your River crossing question on the Alaska Outdoors Forum. You might gets some different ideas, good and bad, from that forum.

BadgersHollow
Member
# Posted: 11 Oct 2020 23:53
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I think you are right, too many variables. Today I hiked in and it was only knee deep. So an atv would have worked just fine. I had just thought that maybe if an Argo had a line/tether to the other side, then just winch it across. I’ll do all of my hauling now though spring. Maybe for summer I’ll just drop a tree across the river and make a rope railing.

Here are a couple pics.
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BadgersHollow
Member
# Posted: 11 Oct 2020 23:54
Reply 


Lol the woodstove is bigger than the cabin. I’ll be remedying that soon. I bought a small gravity feed oil stove and might just use that. Bring in 10 gallons per trip. The cabin has a tiny loft accessed by Paul down attic stairs.

BadgersHollow
Member
# Posted: 11 Oct 2020 23:56
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Here is the stove I bought for 400 used
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