In 1993, while in high school, my friend Josh and I discovered the existence of the Pan-American Highway. We envisioned a trip from Ushuaia, Argentina to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. It took us a while to realize the impossibility of the trip. No vehicular road links North and South America across the 70-mile Darien Gap. And there the idea died.
For 30 years I have thought about this dream. I’ve read countless adventure travel stories. I’ve also carved out a career that involves transportation and infrastructure projects which is a huge part of my practice at Viking Navigation LLC. And what is a continent-spanning road if not one of the greatest of infrastructure projects possible? I therefore resolved to live a portion of my long-held dream while simultaneously checking out some cool infrastructure along the way.
My goal: To depart Orange Co., Calif., reach the Arctic Ocean near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, solo, and return safely… ideally in the same vehicle.
Day 0 (and preceding 30 years…) – Preparation
“War Bus,” my vehicle with Rhino Rack, jerrycans for spare fuel, and a full-size mounted tire. My two youngest kids named the vehicle after their favorite vehicle in Fortnite. The name stuck.
Testing the fit for my self-inflating foam sleeping mattress.
CB radio – “Breaker one niner, any Smokies with ears on?” Drilling holes in my nice German car was fun, and a moment. We got a long way to go… and a short time to get there… I’m east-bound. Just watch ol’ War Bus run!
War Bus’s “hidden” storage compartment. Tools, rope, DEET (which I would never use), TP, propane, jacks, should be fun! I might have gone overboard, but it’s only overboard if you don’t meet with disaster.
A Viking’s Walkabout: | Prologue | Day 01 Calif. to Az. | Day 02 Az. to N.M. | Day 03 N.M. to Colo. | Day 04 Colo. | Day 05 Colo., Kan., Neb. | Day 06 Part 1 Neb. | Day 6 Part 2 Neb. to S.D. | Day 07 S.D., Wy., Mont. | Day 08 Mont. to Alta. | Day 09 Alta. (Banff) | Day 10 Alta. (Grande Cache) | Day 11 Alta. to B.C. | Day 12 B.C. to Yukon | Day 13 Yukon | Day 14 Yukon to Alaska | Day 15 Alaska (Coldfoot) | Day 16 Part 1 Alaska (Atigun Pass) | Day 16 Part 2 Alaska (Deadhorse) | Day 17 Alaska (Prudhoe Bay) | Day 18 Alaska (Fairbanks) | Day 19 Alaska (Anchorage) | Day 20 Alaska (Anchorage) | Day 21 Alaska (Tok) | Day 22 Alaska to Yukon | Day 23 Yukon | Day 24 Yukon to B.C. | Day 25 B.C. (Prince Rupert) | Day 26 B.C. (Prince George) | Day 27 B.C. (Vancouver) | Day 28 B.C. to Wash. | Day 29 Wash. to Or. | Day 30 Or. | Day 31 Or. to Calif. | Day 32 Calif. |