Expert: Michael Donaldson - 5/26/2004

Question
We are going to Alaska/Yukon in 6 weeks time from now and have a few questions:
- I read that there are a lot of musquitos, what can we best buy for that in Alaska?

- We love to walk but there are also bears what do we have to do to not be attacked? What kind of food do they smell? Do they also smell snickers/mars and bread?

- We want to take a helicopter flight over glaciers. What is the best place to do that? Is Skagway a good place for that or can we better do something else over there?

Thanks for letting me know, I appreciate it.

Answer
Hello Tanja!

Wow! Sounds like a fantastic vacation up there you have planned. I wish I could hear where in the Yukon you're panning on going...it's absolutely gorgeous and wild there too.  Ok, let me answer these questions for you:

1) First of all, the 'mosquito" is the state bird of Alaska.  Juuust kiddin! (it should be though)  =)   The mosquitoes are pretty numerous...but everyone brags about the SIZE of them.  Actually, that's not the problem -- the problem is how aggresive they get.  Mainly near creeks, sloughs, and bog areas they're the worse.  You will not have any problem whatsoever finding mosquito repellant in Alaska Tanja.  They have some doozy 100% Deet sprays/lotions at many local stores or baitshops...just ask around when you get up there.

2) Bears are plentiful all over Alaska...especially grizzlies, but trust me, you'll see tons more mosquitoes and moose than you will bears.  If you want to do some hiking, here are some basic rules that I practiced myself when I hiked in the mountains and forests up there:
Rule #1 - Make noise! (wear a small bell on your clothes or talk in a regular voice)
Rule #2 - Do NOT walk quietly thru tall grass or shrubs.
Rule #3 - Do NOT carry any open containers of food with you...they LOVE foods that smell (especially anything greasy, oily, or sweet)
Rule #4 - Do NOT go hiking if you're "on your time of month"...that's a very attractive sense and smell for them.
Rule #5 - If you DO happen to see a bear, talk louder, laugh, yell "hi", wave your arms, and do NOT turn and run.

If you follow those simple rules...you'll be fine.  I've seen and photographed plenty of grizzly bears up there, and have even had one come as close as 150' from me and stood up to see me better, but I have never ever even come close to being attacked.

3) Skagway is a VERY beautiful and historical little town, but to be truthful, as far as taking a "glacier flight"...I recommend going to Talkeetna, Alaska.  Talkeetna is near Denali National Park, and you would be able to fly right up close to Mt McKinley (highest mountain in North America of course). It's pretty much thee spot to go if you want to take any glacier flightseeing adventures...they have MANY of them to choose from.  Try a few of these websites and check them out: www.flyk2.com
www.mckinleyairservice.com
www.talkeetnaair.com
www.alaskaairtours.com  

So I hope I helped answer your questions Tanja.  Please let me know if I did or didn't...I appreciate any feedback I get from customers.  If you have any more questions about Alaska, please feel free to write me at LASKANWLF@aol.com and I'll do what I can to help out where I can, ok?  Take care and have a wonderful trip to "God's Playground"!

  Michael Donaldson