Alaska Or Rust Convoy

Alaska Or Rust Convoy

OVERVIEW | ROUTES | RULES

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OVERVIEW: 2017 marks the 75th year of the Alaska Highway. To celebrate that accomplishment, in July of 2017 a group of aged adventurers from all over the United States, in three groups, comprising no small amount of unconventional character, will tackle that famous highway.

It will not be a full-fledged, high-speed, air-conditioned affair often seen along the thousand-plus mile corridor these days. Instead, we’ll be driving old jeeps, our beloved vintage jeeps, some made in the 1940s, some in the 1950s, and a few from the 1960s. Our speeds may be slow (limited to 50 mph), but our hearts are big and our intents pure.

We aren’t going to cure cancer, help veterans, save children, or defeat terrorism. We are doing this for ourselves and our extended jeeperhood. We are doing it together.

When some are hungry, others will feed them. When a jeep breaks down (which likely will happen), others will be there for support. When someone is upset and cries … okay, we’ll probably send that person home … But, that aside, we will aide the others!

In a time that feels divisive, we jeepers come from all walks of life. Some are richer, some poorer. Some are conservative, some liberal. Some own dogs, others own cats. But, we have jeeps and friendship in common. We hope to share our goodwill with other travelers as well as our Canadian brethren, especially since Canadians will be celebrating Canada’s 150th year of confederation in 2017.

For those that can’t join us, we hope to bring you along, through regular trip reports on this site, on eWillys, and on Facebook. For those that want to donate to the cause, we welcome it. Should we raise more than we spend, we will donate it to a worthy jeep-related event.

ROUTES:


There will be three groups of jeeps heading north: one from the East Coast, led by Bill Reiss, one from the Midwest, led by Scott Gilbert, and one from the West Coast, led by David Eilers. All three groups will merge together at Dawson’s Creek, British Columbia, Canada, in late July before heading north to Alaska. Final routes will be chosen, soon. Groups will be limited to about ten per unit. The trip is expected to last between three and four weeks, depending on the route and whether participants want to drive or fly back.

RULES:

These rules are meant to set expectations for the trip. We will keep this list as short as possible.

  1. PARTICIPATION: Participation is by invitation only, but we welcome inquiries. Our goal is to have a diverse set of jeeps and people.
  2. $200 FEE: Each jeep owner participating in the trip will pay a non-refundable $200 fee. It’s primary goal is to assure participation. For that they’ll get to have free dinners at group events in Dawson Creek and Fairbanks and a t-shirt and help with other group expenses that will come up.
  3. NO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: No drinking while driving and no drinking past midnight the night before the next day’s drive (we simply want to insure driver’s are sober in the morning). No driving under the influence of recreational drugs (cannibas is legal in both Alaska and Washington State) and no transportation of such drugs across the border (or you’ll be holding up all of us). No illegal drugs at all.
  4. RESPECT: We expect participants to be respectful to other participants and non-participants. Bad behavior reflects badly on all of us.
  5. TRAVEL SPEED: We plan to travel at 50mph max, because some jeeps don’t handle the faster speeds. We have been warned that semi-trucks and other passenger vehicles will be passing us, which will cause rocks to be kicked up at us. If you are concerned about nicks in your paint or windshield, then you might want to reconsider the trip. We also recommend eye-wear and/or full motorcycle helmets for those driving in open jeeps.
  6. AFTER FAIRBANKS: The Alaska Highway ends in Fairbanks. After that, people are free to go their own directions. Some folks plan to drive north toward Barrow, some plan to drive south to Anchorage, and some may turn around and head back south.

10 thoughts on “Alaska Or Rust Convoy”

  1. Hi I live west of Okotoks Alberta Canada, (South West of Calgary) I am about 6 miles off the route your west coast group will most probable travel to Dawson Creek. The Calgary Stampede (A Rodeo and Alberta’s largest festival concerts etc) is from July 7th to July 16th. I have a large (350 people) BBQ at my place on July 8th. First of all I think I would like to go with your group if it is after the 9th Secondly if you are around you are welcome to come to the BBQ. If you are later I have a large camp ground (BBQ site) with water and power next to the sheep river and a shop set up with hoist and welding/repair facilities that may be of use to travelers. I will turn 60 on the trip if I go and I have three CJ2a’s the one I will take on the trip is all original including paint and 6V (not worried about road rash). Look forward to hearing from you. Best Regards Keith Brown

    1. Hello
      I also live in Canada have a 52 m38 is still a work in progress hope to have is done this yr !
      Am from Prince George BC Dawson creek is close to me have traveled the Alcan Hwy many times & know what to expect packing extra gas is a must
      Chris

  2. Hi Folks, Dave and Zack here in Juneau, AK and we are nearing completion of our WWII duty 1942 Willys GPW. We intend to meet up at Jake’s Corner enroute to Whitehorse, YT. We are military family and intend to wear our vintage uniforms and helmets from the era.

    We were with the caravan in 2012 during the 70th Anniv, 1942 was being hauled to Juneau. This time, it will be finished. Would love to connect with the Canadian and Alaska vintage Jeeps and military vehicles.

  3. I live in Wasilla, AK 45 miles NE of Anchorage, I have been gathering parts for my 66 CJ6 for a long time. Have lots of CJ parts from 55 to 80+if needed. Familiar with many Jeepers in AK. Also a moderator on AK4x4network-“wasillashack”. Looking forward to possibly meeting some of you. Keep me posted via AK4x4network thx. Good luck!

    1. Hi Gary,

      I’m sorry. I’ve been traveling since March 22 and somehow missed your comment. We certainly appreciate your offer. I will most definitely going to Anchorage and be staying there for a couple days. I’m not sure how many others will be at this point. Connecting via the AK4x4network sounds like a great idea. When I return later this week I’ll jump on there and give you some updates on what we are doing.

      Do you need us to bring up any parts for you CJ-6?

      Feel free to email me directly at d@ewillys.com,

      Thanks,

      – David Eilers
      http://www.ewillys.com
      d@ewillys.com

      1. Dave, Thx for your kind offer, we have recently decided to leave Alaska. we are preparing to try to leave this fall. We will still be here when you arrive. I have Arc, TIG and Mig welders, and most likely any tool you might need, if anyone needs repairs. I have some ’55-’86parts that I am in the process of selling, I also have a decent knowledge parts sources locally. A friend of mine, Ed Angel, owns Steadfast Offroad is also a great local asset. I can introduce you when you arrive. Ed shipped his Jeep TJ to Australia and Malaysia to compete. If any help is needed on the road within 100 miles of Wasilla, give me a call at 907 354 4476. I don’t believe you can drive to Barrow, you can drive to Prudhoe Bay, although it used to require a state issued permit for the Dalton Highway, don’t know if that is still true. Info at Alaskastate.gov
        Good luck on your trip.

  4. you are in for an adventure,2012 the MVPA Alcan Convoy/Artic circle was 100 military vehicles from 5 ton trucks to WW2 WLA motorcycle,5 miles long convoy, 1400 miles,30 days,35 mph strickly,I drove a 1979 ex US ARMY CJ5 22k original miles with a metal hardtop,was like driving around in a trash can,I had only 2 flat tires,the record was 7,then leaf springs started breaking,at that time fuel was $7.50 gallon in the Yukon.A can of cheap beer was $5,be prepared,don’t what to give to much away,have fun,Jim Diamond,ps the BC in CANADA BC means “bring cash”

  7. We are traveling from Indianapolis as we did 5 years ago in white Chevy S10 with the blue-green-brown stripe. Left today July 7 and will be in Dawson Creek on July 11. We would love to meet and greet anyone in the convoy if they are in town that day.

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