Blogs from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, United States, North America

Wake up in Deadhorse and pack bags for departure. Breakfast in the kitchen and meant to leave at 0800. Slight delay with iced up van so leave at 0840 - temp 29 F.... Pack into the van for the trip south on the Dalton highway. Regular stops for viewing wildlife - Alaskan snow geese, ptarmigan (national bird of Alaska - looks like a chicken - Snow White in winter but changes colour in summer to brown - we saw both versions), caribou, musk ox and other birds. We followed the trans Alaskan pipe line (way too much pipe line - 800 miles). Finally stopped for lunch at an old construction camp site. Snow capped mountains all around. Again the stories that Pat and driver Mike could tell us were fantastic real life stories of what they ... read more

Der Tag war denkbar scheuslich, es regnete fast die ganze Zeit. Fahrt zum arktischen Meer - das liegt in einer Sperrzone, man muss durch PB durch, darf nirgends aussteigen, eben nur am Meer. Einige Daten zu PB: Es arbeiten ca 3000 Menschen dort, 12 Stunden Schichten von 6.00 - 18.00, 18.00 - 6.00, jeweils 14 Tage lang. Kostenlose Fluege von Anchorage und Fairbanks nach PB, 3 Flugzeuge taeglich fliegen PB an. In den jeweiligen Camps gibt es medizinische Versorgung, Wohnen, Essen, Sportmoeglichkeiten, sogar ein Basaketballfeld. Alle Oelbohrungen sind an Land, das Oel steht unter Druck und muss nicht herausgepumpt werden. Erdgas und entsalztes Meerwasser werden in die Gesteinsschichten hineingepumpt, damit der Druck aufrechterhalten bleibt. Es gibt eine Hafenanlage, West Dock, aber es koennen nur flache Schiffe dort anlegen, keine Tanker. Aber Gebaeude und grosse Mas... read more

Visited the Prudhoe Bay oilfields at the Arctic coast. After a nice walk on the "beach" and a dip in the Arctic Ocean (Beaufort Sea), we stayed overnight in Deadhorse at the oilfield's seismic workers' camp, then drove 2 days back down to Fairbanks along the Dalton Highway (800 km of dirt and gravel - nice!). By the way, plumbing facilities are scarce north of Fairbanks!... read more

Over the last couple days, Derek and I made it to Deadhorse and back to Fairbanks. On Monday we drive to Coldfoot. Tuesday we drive to Deadhorse, took the tour of the oil fields and to the Arctic Ocean, and drove back to Coldfoot. We didn't get back to Coldfoot until 1am. Long day, but I think we did it the right way. We left all of our stuff in Coldfood the day we went to Deadhorse, and rode without being loaded down which was nice. Parts of the drive up the Dalton highway are just beautiful. Atigun Pass is one of the highlights. Steep drop off one side of the road, and the scenery is great! Parts of the road have a solution spread out that helps keep dust down. When they put it down ... read more

Finished a couple of days ago. Feels good. Got into Deadhorse, Alaska on 26 July just before lunchtime. You can't ride or drive any further north than Deadhorse. Access to the Arctic Ocean is restricted to private commercial tours which cost 38USD to go and look at an unappealing bit of water with oilfield debris floating around in it. After over 18 months on the road I have nowhere left to push. Last few weeks of riding have had amazing weather and long long days of Arctic summer sunshine. Camped every night until Deadhorse before checking into the Prudhoe Bay Hotel. Hopefully photos will give you some idea of fantastic scenery. Purple Fireweed in bloom around Finger Mountain was particularly spectacular. Travel writers go to great lengths to describe how ugly Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay is. This is ... read more