A few words from Jim Brantley....

I wasn't expecting a tight schedule or rigid plan and that suited me just fine. After all, this was only a part of our unscheduled two month road trip. Getting to the start of ACT and getting to the ferry in Skagway were the only dates we had planned.

It's great to be in Alaska and feel like you have the time to enjoy it. I definitely felt that way during the ACT. I loved not knowing what would happen next or what's around the next bend. It really didn't matter. Loose plans work for me.

At least let me think they are loose. I realize the trek needs to be organized. The real fun is when you have me thinking *you're* not sure what's next.

Exploring such a wild and beautiful place whether it's a marathon "day trip" or a closer look during a relaxed day in camp is awesome. It can be fast and easy trails or winch fests and time consuming mug bogs it really doesn't matter. Having the ACT Crew (and an energetic Canadian recovery team) as a safety net meant an outsider like me could really let go and enjoy myself.

However, I would be a little disappointed if the trek didn't include a marathon "day trip", a relaxed day in camp, some fast and easy trails, a NASTY mug bog and some Alaska style water crossings.

So what would I need to know up front?

Simple, tell me when and where to show up. Tell me how many days I need to be prepared to spend in the bush - being self sufficient. It's a good idea to emphasize this. Tell me how many miles or how much gas to bring. That's about it. What happens in between is called adventure.

As for the wheeling and vehicle prep, given the info available on the web and in the TT from ACT 2001 and 2002 it's pretty easy to anticipate what's coming. The mud bogs and water crossings are the big issues. Long distances rallies are the next. Requiring mud tires and minimum 33's seems good enough to me. Maybe a locker or two. Of course taller tires would be better, but we're talking Land Cruisers here and 7,000 miles of highway. Even if I had one, I couldn't bring a dedicated Tundra buggy. I know, get a tow rig.

This brings up another point. The drive North is a BIG part of the trip for an outsider. We've got one thousand miles of Interstate just to get to Canada. Alaska is a big place a long ways from here. I'm currently trying to imagine a "quick trip" up and back. I'll need a fast and RELIABLE vehicle. The trip North is a big part of the adventure for most of us.

- Jim Brantley