Alaska Denali Tours
1301 West Parks Hwy., Suite 5, Wasilla, AK 99654
1-877-376-1992  |  In Alaska: (907) 376-1992  |  Fax: (907) 376-1999
www.AlaskaDenaliTours.com  |  info@AlaskaDenaliTours.com
 

General Alaska FAQs  (Web version)

1. How big is Alaska?
Alaska covers 570,373 square miles of land, plus an additional 45,000 square miles of water. It's the biggest state in the country. Alaska is 2.3 times the size of Texas, 10 times the size of Georgia or Florida; and 499.7 times the size of frequent comparison victim Rhode Island. Alaska covers 20 percent of the total U.S. area. Alaska stretches across 57 degrees, 34 minutes of longitude between 52 and 54 degrees latitude.

2. What time zone is Alaska in?
A state the size of Alaska needs it own time zone. We are one hour behind the Pacific Time Zone and four hours behind the East Coast Time Zone. When it is 12 noon in New York, then it is 8:00am in Anchorage.

3. Where can I find a map of Alaska?

• Paper: The best printed-on-paper highway map of Alaska appears to be the one printed by Rand McNally. It can be purchased at bookstores in many states for about $5.

• Atlas: The Alaska Atlas & Gazetteer, an oversize book, is a favorite in the state for its topographical maps. It costs about $20 and is available at many large bookstores and through online bookstores. Like many maps, it is based on the U.S. Geological Survey series of topographical maps.

4. What's the summer weather like in Alaska?

• Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska have relatively mild summers (highs in the 70).

• The Interior (Fairbanks and Denali) has warm summers (highs in the 90s).

• The Inside Passage is usually warm and damp (summer highs in the 60s and 70s).

• Coastal areas have more moderate temperatures than inland areas as well as more precipitation.

• In late spring and early summer (close to the solstice in mid-June), the days are the longest. Early summer has less rain than late summer and fall.

• See our Time & Weather page for more information.

5. What should I pack?
The suitcase of a well-packed Alaska traveler should include items to cover most situations.

RAIN GEAR: A good quality two-piece rainsuit with a hood is a must. It should be made of coated nylon, with factory-sealed seams. The expensive "Gore-tex" variety is not really necessary; however, you may opt for this if you think you may have use for it again. Please do not bring a plastic poncho or vinyl rainsuit because this type tears too easily and quickly becomes non-functional.

HIKING BOOTS: Comfortable, lightweight, and water repellent. Nike, Vasque, Hi-Tec and Merrell all make lightweight hiking boots that are moderately priced.

PANTS: Comfortable and durable. Include a pair of shorts, just in case.

SHIRTS: T-shirts, flannel shirts, lightweight long sleeve shirts, and turtlenecks are all good options.

WARM JACKET / SWEATERS: A fleece or pile jacket and/or a wool sweater offer great layers for extra warmth.

LONG UNDERWEAR: Non-cotton preferred, uppers and lowers.

SOCKS: Wool socks and synthetic liners are a good combination for hiking.

GLOVES: Lightweight wool or pile gloves are best.

WOOL KNIT CAP: You won't be sorry you brought this!

BRIMMED HAT: For sun protection.

DAY PACK or HIP PACK: This will come in handy for day hiking and bus travel.

QUART WATER BOTTLE: Great for day hikes.

INSECT REPELLENT: The higher the percentage of DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta- toluamide), the more effective it is against mosquitoes. Natural repellents containing Citronella are less effective, but are gentler on your skin. Creams and pumps are more environmentally friendly than aerosols.

OPTIONAL: BINOCULARS, CAMERA (extra film and batteries), TRAVEL ALARM CLOCK, SUNSCREEN, SUNGLASSES, FIELD GUIDES TO LOCAL FLORA AND FAUNA, FLASHLIGHT (August and September).

6. What's the best way to avoid mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are most often found near standing water, in the forest and on low tundra. They're present during all the warm months, but taper off late in the summer. Wear long sleeves, long pants and a hat; go where mosquitoes aren't; or use bug dope with a high percentage of DEET. Applications based on citronella or Avon's Skin-So-Soft also work for some people.

7. Is it dark all the time? When is the midnight sun?
Summer is a time of long days. Above the Arctic Circle, the day can be 24 hours long or months long. In Anchorage, almost 400 miles south of the circle, the summer solstice day is 19.5 hours long.

Winter has much shorter days. Above the Arctic Circle, the night can last for months, although lingering twilight brightens the sky. In Anchorage, the shortest day still provides 4.5 hours of daylight.

Around the equinoxes in March and September, Alaska gets the same 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness the rest of the world does.

8. When can I see the northern lights?
Winter visitors have the best chance of seeing the northern lights, or aurora borealis. Even though the electromagnetic activity that creates the aurora occurs all year high overhead, the lights are mainly visible only at night.

9. What are some Alaska reference and guide books?
Here are some books that are useful to those who are planning a trip to Alaska. All can be ordered through bookstores or online through the publisher or such companies as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Borders.

• Alaska Almanac, edited by Don Graydon

• Alaska Atlas and Gazetteer, DeLorme Publishing

• Best Places Alaska, edited by Nan Elliott

• Frommer's Alaska, by Charles Wolforth

• The Milepost, Morris Communications

• Native Peoples of Alaska, by Jan Halliday with Patricia J. Petrivelli and the Alaska Native Heritage Center

10. Can I pan for gold?
There are a number of places to pan for gold in Alaska. These include several streams in the Interior, including the one where the Fairbanks gold rush began and several streams in Southcentral Alaska, including the Kenai Peninsula. Some companies that charge for tours of towns and mining areas also have panning areas, complete with gold pans and soil that sometimes is salted with "color." Pans, shovels and loupes can be bought in mining supply shops and discount stores.

11. Can I take my fish home?
Harborside shops and some meat/fish shops in larger towns provide freezing, smoking and shipping service for people who want to send their salmon or halibut home. Overnight delivery is available through FedEx and other services. Travelers can also take a cooler home on their return flight home. Ice is available in bags of between 5 and 10 pounds at grocery and convenience stores, as well as at gas stations.

12. Are there ATMs? Are credit cards accepted?
All banks in Alaska have the same features as they do in the other 49 states. Most banks in Alaska are part of national or regional chains. Automated teller machines are found at many banks, grocery stores, gas stations and some hotels. Visa and MasterCard are accepted statewide. Many businesses also accept Discover and American Express. Traveler's checks are usually accepted.

13. Where can I check my e-mail?
Internet access is available at most public libraries. Most larger hotels and motels also offer free Internet access. Many towns have coffee shops and cafes with for-a-fee Internet service.

More Alaska Information:
Alaska Hotels
Alaska Motorcoach
Alaska Tours
Alaska Travel
Alaska Vacation
Denali National Park

Alaska Denali Tours
1301 West Parks Hwy., Suite 5, Wasilla, AK 99654
1-877-376-1992  |  In Alaska: (907) 376-1992  |  Fax: (907) 376-1999
www.AlaskaDenaliTours.com  |  info@AlaskaDenaliTours.com
 

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