Alaska WTSHTF
 

Have any of you considered moving to Alaska WTSHTF? Although I've been there, I have limited knowledge about our largest state.
My thinking is that Alaskans are the least sheeplike of any states population. They have an attitude consistent with defending their freedom.This would come in handy when the JBT's start bullying us around.
I was thinking about purchasing a place either around Anchor Point or maybe North to Talkeetna.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Lotsa gold, I have not gave any more thought to it myself but would like to have a cheap piece in the outback. Bugs are evil though. I will find a link to a place I was looking at a while back and post it if it is still available.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Doesn't look like is still available. There is not much in alaska on this page but it use to have some nice pieces.
http://www.landandfarm.com/lf/

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

The area around Kenai Peninsula isn't as cold as Minnesota and North Dakota. The darkness in the winters could be depressing. When we were in Homer in September there were no skeeters at all. I guess MatSu borough has more skeeters than Kenai area, I don't know.

Personally I think WTSHTF food will be less of a problem than New World Order JBT's, that's why I would want to position myself where the populace doesn't take much crap from the goobermint.

I buy and sell land for a living and figured I could buy some bug out property and hang out up there a couple summers, make a few improvements and sell it at a handsome profit like I usually do.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

I've found a few realtor links:

http://www.talkeetnare.com/

http://www.landinalaska.com/listingst.htm#kens

http://www.alaska-land.com/rural.htm

http://www.remoteproperties.com/glenmac.html

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

A year ago, I heard one �expert� on the radio recommend Alaska as a retreat destination because it has the lowest population density of any State, and has low taxes. IMHO, he couldn�t be more wrong! The biggest problem is that from an economic standpoint, Alaska is essentially a big offshore island. Many essential items are shipped or flown in. What happens when the ships and planes stop arriving? It won�t be pretty--at least not in Alaska's cities. (Ironically, although it is the most lightly populated state, Alaska has the second highest crime rate in the country!) Coastal Alaska is also earthquake prone. Further, you may think that because of the North Slope oil that the state will have plentiful fuel. Bzzzzzt! Wrong answer! There is insufficient refinery capacity of meet Alaska�s �domestic� needs, and insufficient transport to get refined fuels where they are needed. (Current transport is geared to distributing fuel and lubricants brought in from the Lower 48--not locally produced fuel and lubricants.) So the little fuel left in Alaska post-TEOTWAWKI will be jealously guarded--doubtless saved for critical tasks like running farm tractors and chain saws. So there will be virtually none available for fishing boats or between-town commerce.

In a long term collapse, the residents of Alaska's densely populated coastal cities will likely starve and/or freeze to death. Meanwhile, those in inland towns, albeit better fed, will be geographically isolated so that commerce with the coast will be difficult if not impossible. Bush pilots will eventually be grounded due to lack of fuel, lubricants and spare parts. The only people I foresee surviving are a few seasoned Sourdoughs and native tribe members that still have well-honed outdoor survival skills and are still capable of reverting to a self-sufficient mode. The best set up for this would be a small settlement on a clear water (non-glacial) stream with an active salmon run and a couple of productive �fish wheel� salmon traps.
Another consideration is that the Alaska Pipeline is vulnerable to frost heaving and rupture if the power grid goes down. (It is not widely known, but grid power is used to run thousands of refrigeration elements that keep the permafrost frozen around the pipeline supports.) My prediction: In the event of TEOTWAWKI, the Al-Can highway will have heavy traffic with heavily-laden pickup trucks carrying beau coup gas cans, going in both directions: Greenhorns from the lower 48 thinking that Alaska is the place to be and Alaskan Citizens who realize that Alaska is not a viable place to stay in a long term crunch.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Nuggethunter, thanks for the informative post. I didn't know about the crime rate there. What could cause that? My guess is that it applies to pockets like Anchorage.
If high fuel prices are in the horizon, the Alaska economy should be on stable ground. As far as suppiles, I'd definatley stock up before the crash. Granted, getting stuff like fresh fruit would be very difficult.
If any state has the capacity to feed it's population on fish and game, it would be Alaska. I doubt the coastal populations would go hungry, the fishing there is unbelievable. Smoked fish keeps well and is rich in nutrients.
Many of the remote cabins have propane fridges, and there might be propane shortages.
Much of the population uses oil, propane and natural gas to heat their homes, but in a crunch could easily switch to wood heat, as plenty of firewood is available in most areas if one is willing to work to get it. I wouldn't doubt that many homes use well over 1000 gallons of oil to heat every winter, so if fuel gets expensive, many will switch.

But there's no doubt that living there in the winter will be tough WTSHTF.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Curt, I think you are overlooking a valuable source of protein! :haha:

Alaska might be good if you lived in the middle of nowhere and were skilled at winter survival. There would be lots of good hunting and fishing (not much growing :( Make sure you chop LOTS of wood for the winter.

Anyhow its not for me I want to live someplace warm!

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Noelephant, welcome to the board.
I have lived that way before and it is not for everybody. I am with you, warm winters are for me. Also I like to enjoy finer things in life.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Largely the interior of Alaska is "ungovernable" because of its size. Some deaths werent even investigated just a few short years ago.
If you've ever been there you know how grand it is. And it is true wilderness . Only glacier National park can even begin to compare with it.
After spending 3 years in the bush , one of which I was completly alone ,70 miles from the nearest other human I felt totally at ease and my main concern safety in preventing accidents. Was able to live on moose, caribou, and the 300 lbs of canned and dried foods. Living among the wolves and moose in a winter wonderland was the highlight of my life thus far. It was sureal.
But to live up there like we do in the lower 48 would be a gamble .

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

I knew a guy that worked the pipeline. He was sent out to open a value, and his first couple of step created a cloud under his feet. He started running and a column/cloud was created behind him. When he got to valve the bugs/mosquitos were on him. In his nostrils and down his throat. This was his initiation, his punishment for being the new guy. :aetsch:

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

I think for some people it would work out. But not for most of us. Goods might be expensive now, but they are available. Have the grid and transport systems shut down, and subsistence hunting will be the only option. Like in Phoenix or Las Vegas, cheap electricity makes habitation for a large number of people possible. And I know that even with all other provisions on hand, being cabinbound in winter with no stimulation from the outside world would have me barking mad in the spring, if I hadn't offed myself first.

Looks like a nice place to visit, though.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

I wouldn't want to live there. Winter is bad enough without having to indure 2 months on darkness.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Don't come here!

Just kidding. sorta.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Two point five years of hell that was what Alaska was for me, I now tell people that "If heaven is cold I then would rather go to hell".

Can you see a Cuban in a 60 below 0 ?........ :eek: <---- my blue face.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

I see some advantages. For example they are one of 2 remaining states where you don't need license for CCW. And my wife has experience growing tomaties near polar circle. Definitely would be easier to survive if SHTF comparing to 1-bedroom apt. in NYC. What am I doing here? :banghead:

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Never been there, but don't understand the reports of the bugs like mosquitoes........why ? I can't understand how they survive the winters in enough numbers to be a problem.

We don't have enough mosquitoes here to even count......some black gnats, and 'no see um' gnats ( biting little sob's ), but overall, it isn't bad at all.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Read this. http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF8/818.html
They're just practicing for their eventual migration southeast to Tennessee.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Interesting....thanks Hoarder.

I have both barrels loaded with Bacillus thuringiensis Israeli awaiting their arrival.

Re: Alaska WTSHTF
 

Um...no one will need a CCW in shtf-scenario.