All good ideas guys, thanks. I forgot to mention that I have a CB installed. Will probably bring a SPOT GPS tracker for emergencies and tracking our route. The original plan was to bring a satellite phone but I am thinking the SPOT could replace that. Will still look into the phones though, there must be someone up here with one I can borrow or rent.

Camping gear will be essential, plenty of down. I have a Whisperlite International that will burn just about any fuel there is. We are going to plan to have at least a weeks worth of food in reserve, and packs and snowshoes in case we need to bail (would have to be in a pretty bad way to leave the Jeep).

Has anyone ever used air bags to level out the rear suspension? By the time we load up the Jerry cans and two spair tires we may sit a little low in the back.

Has anyone ever tried the Cambell Highway (Yukon Highway 4) in the wintertime? Sounds like an amazing road but I cant get any information on the winter condition.

Keep the suggestions coming!

 

Sorry, I don't think a CB is gonna cut it...short of keeping in contact with a buddy. Get a Ham or better still Satellite Phone and pre-arrange contacts with rescue plans. GPS GPS GPS ! Or....check out the SPOT personal tracker.


You really want to come up with a rescue plan prior to the trip.


....oh I see your bringing one...just as I posted

 

You should REALLY get those tires siped. Its a shame those tires can't be studded. But at least have them siped, it will make a world of difference.

 

Change your tires. Park your MT's in the garage, and get a good set of studded snow tires. Sure, you won't look as cool, but it's absolutely necessary. Don't even think of trying to run on the ice roads with your MT's, at least that's my advice.

Have fun and be safe! Can't wait to see the pics.

 

Yup, we will have chains. I do agree that winter tires would be the way to go, Im just dreading spending more money on tires!

 

Consider the freezing temperature of the various liquids in the Jeep.

Gasoline freezes and -72C
Check the freezing temp of your oil, anti-freeze, trans, etc...
Have a plan if/when your fuel line freezes (I would add alcohol to your fuel canisters ahead of time).

Average temp for Tuktoyaktuk in Feb is -30C, coldest on record being -50C

For the block heater, where would you plug this in?

I second the dual battery setup, invaluable if you want to save fuel yet run the lights (no sunlight, I'm thinking you'll be running the lights often!).

here's some fun info and graphs on weather for Inuvik
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=weather+Inuvik

 

yea i think dual batteries is a must for a trip like that, then you never have to worry about running dead and getting stuck...also good winter tires (studded?) would really make a world of difference, its a well known fact that m/t's suck in snow.

good luck though, it sounds like an awesome adventure!

 

Don't forget a winter front, tire patch kit and an air compressor.

 

This may seem silly, but there are two low tech items that can save your life and don't cost a lot.

First, a box of candles. The light of course, but also the little bit of heat the flame provides can help fight off hypothermia when all your other options run out. You can light it in the Jeep if you are stranded. I used this once when stranded after losing control and getting stuck during a snow storm near the Crow's Nest pass in BC.

Second, get some long, wide strips of neon orange cloth. If you get stuck, they can be used to mark your position for search and rescue. If you get snowed in, cloth is easy to move and keep above the snow. I've used similair techniques to signal aircraft in all sorts of terrain.

Get the tires. If you film the trip, you may be able to get a shop to sponsor it. Maybe you can get some free tires.

Good luck. Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

 

i wish that i had the time and resources for a trip like this. cant wait for pics.

i almost think that your biggest obstacle will be having enough room for all the gear