Questions and Answers

These are questions submitted by students involved in this project. Duplicate questions may have been paraphrased. Answers were written by Mr. Surface and the project team members.

Question #1
What is a Global Positioning System and how is it utilized?




The Global Positioning System (GPS) is perhaps the best approach to navigation that has ever been devised. Conceived by the Department of Defense and the United States Military, the GPS system is an answer to their needs of 24 hour global positioning, 365 days a year. Basically the system works by using a constellation of satellites orbiting Earth 11,000 miles in space. There will be 24 satellites in orbit when the system is fully operational. When all satellites are in place, at least four of them will be in view nearly anywhere on Earth twenty four hours a day. The GPS receiver requires at least three satellites to gibe a "2D" fix. (A 2D fix is your position in latitude/longitude. A 3D fix is your latitude/longitude plus altitude.) When it locks on to at least four satellites, it displays a 3D fix. As the receiver locks on to each satellite, it calculates the distance from the satellite by measuring the length of time it takes the radio signal to reach it. Each satellite has an extremely accurate clock, thus it knows how long it took the radio signal (travelling at the speed of light!) to reach it. If you know time and speed, then you can calculate distance. Once you have this from three satellites, then the receiver can determine your position. You may have heard tales of extraordinary accuracy from GPS receivers. The DOD requires accuracy of 10 to 15 meters from the satellite system. The way the military keeps us and other unauthorized people from using the more precise system is coding. In other words, the data coming from the satellites is encrypted. Civilian GPS receivers use a code that is intentionally worse than the military's. Civilian users can benefit world wide from excellent fixes, but keeps the most accurate system away from potential enemies. Theoretically, the civilian version can give accurate readings within 100 meters and is often within 15 meters. This is more than adequate for most people. The model of GPS I am using in the 'Surface' of Alaska project is the Eagle AccuNav Sport.




Question #2

What equipment do you plan to take with you and what does it cost?

Camping Equipment

Wall tent 625.00, Down sleeping bag 200.00, Sleeping pad 25.00, Cots 60.00,Stove 50.00, Lantern 30.00, Cooking and Mess kit 41.00, Matches 1.00, Tent repair kit 7.00, Ice chest 45.00, Dishpan 3.00, Towels and rags 12.00, Spices 8.00, Water purification system 50.00, First aid kit 95.00, Soap 6.00, Toothpicks 1.00, Cooking utensils 10.00, Toilet paper 6.00, Baby wipes(remember no shower facilities) 8.00, Rope 4.00, Water container 6.00, Ax 12,00, Saw 17.00, Knife 30.00, Come-A-Long 35.00, Yamaha 4 wheeler 500.00, Trailer (home made) 200.00, Back packs 95.00, G.P.S. Eagle 399.00, Holster 30.00, Large type pistol 44 Mag 300.00, Shells 15.00, Holster 20.00, Compus 18.00, Topo maps 10.00, Survival kit 15.00, Fanny pack 25.00, Canteen 15.00, Steiner binocs 400.00, Leupold Spotting scope 630.00, Bear spray 30.00, Holster for spray 30.00, Head net 6.00, Shovel 12.00, 6 gas cans 30.00, 2qts oil 3.00, Wench 200.00, Personal gear 350.00, Rain gear 200.00, Food 50.00, Beverages 10.00, Bug spray 4.95, Tool kit 25.00, Funnel 1.50, 4 dry bags 120.00, Coleman generator 350.00, Apple powerbook computer 1000.00, Quick take camera 600.00, Batteries for camera and GPS 12.00, Insurance 95.00, Plastic bags 5.00, Gas for trip 625.00,.

This should add up to between 7 and 8 thousand dollars.

Question #3

What is the significance of Mile Marker 0?

Mile Marker 0 is the starting point of the Alcan Highway. It is located in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada and is the Southeast point of the Alcan Highway. The Alcan Highway ends at Fairbanks, Alaska.

Question #4

What are stonesheep?

Stonesheep are a breed of sheep similar to the Dall or Big Horn Sheep. They are located mostly in British Columbia and like the rocky terrain there.

Question #5

On August 15th you said you saw Whiskey Jacks; what are Whiskey Jacks?

Whiskey Jacks are birds also called Canadian Jays or Camp Robbers. They will come into camp and take food from you. You can see them both high in the mountains and also down in the lower areas.

Question #6

On Day 6 you mention that "Don's son Joe is a smoke jumper, and the bears are giving them some major problems."; what is a smoke jumper?

A smoke jumper is a person who fights range and forest fires and they parachute out of an airplane to get close to the fire.

Question #7

We are studying tree identification. Would you be able to bring back some pressed leaves from the trees that you see in Alaska? Angel: I can't bring back plants or leaves from Alaska. Because of plant disease, Canada will not allow you to transport plants across the border. They even made a friend of mine throw his night crawlers away because they were in American soil and it might have a disease.

Question #8

How many miles did you drive so far?

We will drive around 10,000 miles before we get back.

Question #9

What kind of foods do you eat out in the wilderness and during your trip??

WE lived on Moose, Caribou, and Salmon. We did have some vegetables (can). Most of the canned foods had been frozen and thawed for several years. They were still good.

Question #10

What kind of trees have you seen?

Birch, Poplar, Spruce. These are the dominant trees. I did eat Blueberries and wild Cranberries. There is lots of diamond willow.

Question 11

How long do you think you will be on your four wheeler?

No more than 8 hours at a time. Trails in and out are terrible.

Question 12

What time do you get up in the morning?

Chelsey, I get up early every morning. I try to make it up between 4:30 and 5:00 A.M. IT STAYED LIGHT till 11:30 p.m. and got daylight at 2:30 a.m.

Question 13

What animals have you seen in Tok, Alaska?

We saw lots of Caribou, Moose, Grizz (9), Black Bears(8), Wolves (4) Ravens, Whiskey Jacks, Fox(2)

Question 14

How do you know where you are?

We use a G.P.S. to keep us located. I also use a compass and Topology maps. I very seldom get lost.

Question 15

What kind of flowers have you seen?

Bob, I am not very good at flower ID. In Northway I saw many flowers that grow in yards back here. I did see one that I really liked called a flowering Cabbage. There are no Sandburs or Poison Ivy. No Snakes...

Question 16

How much room did your luggage take?

Not much because they won't let you take in very much. One change of underwear and clothes.

Question 17

How many guns did you take?

The guns that I had were Remington 700 in 375 H&H Cal., Weatherby 300 Mag, and a Benelli 12 gauge shot gun.

Question 18

What are you going to do with your kill?

Grant, All the meat is used. I like wild meat and would eat it every day if I had a choice. It is different there than here. They don't buy domestic animals because of cost and hard to get. In fact you have to drive over 500 miles for a Big Mac.

Question 19

How are you going to sleep in the wilderness?

Jeff, In Caribou camp we will sleep in wall tents and in Moose camp a trappers cabin. You sleep on the ground or on wooden floors.

Question 20

What is it like camping in the out of doors in Alaska?

Zac, You must realize that you are in Bear country. Camping is a worry because of them. They were within 200 yards of camp. You take your rifle every where you go, including the bathroom. It was cold most of the time. You had to have an excellent sleeping bag. I used an Army Arctic Bag. You have no frills in camp. Everything is basic and usable. Question 21

Are the roads rough in Tok, Ak.?

In Tok they are nice. The Alcan is tough in construction areas. You will break your windshield.<

Question 22

What kind of birds live there?

Not many song birds. In fact we saw very few. There are Ravens, Whiskey Jacks, Ducks, Geese, Crane, Owls, and Swans.

Question 23

When did you start to use the compass?

Every time I went to a new area. I used it when weather turned bad(fog).

Question 24

Have you seen the Alaskan state bird. Ptarmigan-(forget the P)

Yes I saw them but did not hunt them. They were very high in the mountains. They had some white on them getting ready for winter.

Question 25

Have you seen the Alaskan state tree?

Brandon, not to my knowledge. It is the Sitka Spruce.

Question 26

Can you bring pictures back?

Yes, I brought a lot of pictures back. My slide camera was damaged in the wreck I had with my 4 wheeler so they did not turn out very well.

Question 27

Have you seen any Mountain Lion?

There may be a few Lions in South East Alaska, but none in the area where we were. I think conditions may be too bad for them.

Question #5

Question 28

What kind of equipment do you use?

Brian, Have your teacher look up the list of equipment and its cost. I sent out a list before I left.

Question #5

Question 29

Why are you sending it over the Internet?

We are trying to show people that Technology can be used anywhere, even in remote areas. We wanted to have kids enjoy as well as learn from this experience.

Question 30

Have you seen any Eagles yet?

Lisa, Yes, but not very many.

Question 31

How many miles did you go into Canada?

If you look on the map you can see we went over 2000 miles one way in Canada and the Yukon Territory.

Question 32

How can you tell where you are at?

With the help of the GPS and Topology maps you can pinpoint your location within 100 yds.

Question 33

What are you going to do when the 4 wheeler runs out of gas?

We can't mess up on things like that. It could cost you your life. We carried 30 gallons for each machine. Ten In, Ten Out, and ten while we were hunting.

Question 34

How can you tell what time it is?

Joe There is 3 hours difference in time. When its 6:00 your time its 3:00 their time.

Question 35

Where do you stay at night besides in your truck?

KaLynne, In tents, we slept in parking lots, pull offs, and camping areas. On the Alcan people sleep where ever they find a spot.

Question 36

What will you do if you get bored?

You never get bored in Bear country. Those who are not alert may become statistics. If you enjoy wilderness you are never bored.

Question 37

How do you wash your clothes in the middle of nowhere?

You don't. You just smell. You can only take in so much equipment, you need other things of more importance than clothes.

Question 38

What happens if you lose your maps, compass, and have no one to help you?

You can't mess up. It is not an option. It is a life and death situation and you have no room for mess ups. You make sure you don't do anything like that.

Question 39

What would happen if you ran out of ammunition?

You make sure ahead of time that you don't run out. We had 150 rounds for each rifle.

Question 40

What would you do if you see a bear or wolf out in the wilderness?

Mark We saw several bears both black and grizz. It is fun just to watch them. If you have a permit then you could hunt them. You have to be careful of the Bears but the wolves will run from you.

Question 41

Have you seen any of the same birds that we have in Nebraska?

Only the ducks, geese, cranes, and eagles. There are not many song birds in Alaska that I saw.

Question 42

What is bear spray for? how does it work?

It is a pepper spray that you shoot them in the face with.

Question 43

Is it ever not snowing in Alaska?

Yes, remember Alaska is not all covered with snow.

Question 44

How cold does it get at night and day?

Night 14 above zero to 40 above. Day 40 to 60.

Question 45

What is the 4 wheeler for?

It is the only way that we could get into the hunting areas that we could afford.

Question 46

Why can't you melt snow for a shower?

You have to be stronger than I am to shower in 32 degree water. There was no snow where I was. We could see snow in the high range 50 miles south of us.

Question 47

What is a GPS eagle?

It is an instrument that works off Satellites to show you your position. It really works great. It is accurate to 100 yards.

Question 48

How much does a can of pop cost?

It cost anywhere from 1.00 to 2.00 per can.

Question 49

What do you eat? How is it cooked? Is it good?

We lived on Moose, Caribou, Salmon. We ate vegetables when we could. No pie, icecream, cake, cookies, snacks are out of the question. We all lost weight ( I lost 15lbs.) What we ate was excellent. In fact I would eat Moose and Caribou all of the time. We cooked on open fires or a Coleman camp stove.

Question 50

What does your goose down sleeping bag look like?

It is an Arctic Mummy bag. Army issue. Green color.

Question 51

What have you been hunting for ?

We hunted Moose, Caribou, Bear, and Grouse. It depends on what your permit is. Some of the men had all 3.

Question 52

Why did you choose Alaska for your trip?

I had a friend there that I have not seen for 19 years that I wanted to see. And I like remote areas. I love the wilderness...

Question 53

What has been the most fun thing you've done?

Just living in the back country and wilderness and not seeing anything from the outside world for 11 days. Also seeing the GRIZZ.




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