jackal

There was discussion about moving it to Friday, but I don't think it was finalized. I don't see a problem with holding it on Friday as long as Bob W is OK with that arrangement. Bob, you OK with that? If so, we can update the wiki and make it official.

Further DO plans will be finalized in a short while--ANC RED-EYE and I are currently wine-tasting our way across Sarth Effrica, and it is proving difficult to concentrate on such trivial matters as events in Alaska while enjoying the fruits of our labor.

bdschobel

Friday works for me. I have to fly out Saturday morning. No choice.

Bruce

BOB W

I am fine with Friday, but this is one day after returning from DUT, so meal prep will require an over abundance of sous chefs starting by early afternoon and wine boys & girls to make regular trips to the "Wall O’ Wine™" throughout the day.

bdschobel

I'm happy to assist. I love to cook and barbecue year-round at my Florida home.

Bruce

violist

Bob, that should be no problem. Assuming I am in any state
of health (no guarantees these days) I could do all of the
prep myself provided everyone kept away from me and kept
me away from the Wall o' Wine™.

WhIteSidE

I'm happy to help with Prep, and or, just carting things around.

monitor

I'd like to come into ANC a day early to be able to spend the afternoon before analyzing samples from the Wall 'o Wine but it is very difficult to arrange such without a definite, fixed day for the BBQ event chez BOB W.

jackal

Solution: just join for the whole Do.

BOB W

Friday it is. That way people have three days to choose from for the State Fair or other activities.

PV_Premier

B6 is back at it with $177 fares for the DO weekend from PDX. AS is clocking in at $237. SEA higher at $237(B6)/302(AS).

beckoa

Well pending WX...

Last year GAM and GST have made me a bit gunshy when it comes to rigid schedules

jackal

If we encounter delays getting back from DUT, nothing's stopping us from pushing the BBQ back a day or so as necessary.

But it's a good reminder that those who are coming out to DUT should know that we are traveling in rural Alaska and that comes with some not insignificant risks. The full schedule of the DO has been designed with enough recovery time that folks staying for the BBQ and trip to the State Fair and leaving as recommended at the end of the weekend should be back home in plenty of time if things go pear-shaped.

Those who are leaving earlier in the weekend should be aware that weather plays a significant role in flight operations in rural Alaska, and there is a non-zero chance that something could happen that causes flights to and from Dutch Harbor to be canceled.

PenAir, the operator that Alaska contracts with to provide service to Dutch, is pretty good with IRROPS recovery (much better than AS is, thankfully). We've also got two things in our favor: one, August and September are Dutch's summer months with the best possible weather, and two, we are not at the start or end of any of Dutch's fishing seasons, so none of the seafood processing companies are moving their seasonal workers in or out, meaning that flights shouldn't be massively overbooked for the time we're there, which can happen and which, when weather hits, can mean people are stuck on the island for several days and even (rarely) sometimes up to a few weeks.

That said, even though the risks are relatively low, those joining us in Dutch might want to keep this possibility in mind when scheduling appointments and events soon after the Do.

Folks should understand that the weekend's activities are subject to last minute adjustudents based on weather, flight schedules, and other issues that may crop up. We'll announce any changes in this thread as necessary.

GRALISTAIR

If I arrive ANC Saturday Aug 29th around 11.00am and depart Sunday at 7.00pm will I see any of you or will you have all gone already?

I already posted the following in the AS Flame Free Qand A

OK at serious planning stage for a trip to Alaska. Easy part I can use DL miles to get me to ANC. Looking at arriving Sat Aug 1st DAY-MSP-ANC - arrives 11.46 am Sat Aug 1st.

Sun Aug 2nd planning ANC-ATL-DAY 7.46pm and redeye arrives Mon Aug 3rd AT 09.35 (I am a boss and can get away with arriving work late after a redeye.)

I have visited ANC a few times and done the seaplane bit out of PALH. Looking for some new airports. The challenge is- where are there hotels (I do not expect 5 star) so I can stop overnight. Looked at YAK on Expedia - no hotels. Is BRW an option - OTZ is not bad as I would still be sleeping/stopping north of the arctic circle. Will definitely use AS internally -cost is not a huge consideration.

The other alternative is to fly in and same schedule arrive Saturday morning ANC 11.46 Saturday Aug 29th and depart same schedule Sunday Aug 30th. I see the ALASKA DO is on then - if you are all in ANC and have fun planned then that would also be a no-brainer.

So my Question is -I am after advice and local knowledge please?

And thanks

jackal

We've confirmed some details on the room block in Dutch Harbor. beckoa will be posting some details shortly about rates and availability. We're going to need a room count for the room block.

Can those of you who are listed as coming to the DO please review your details in the wiki and ensure they're up to date, at least as far as your participation in the DUT portion of the DO?

More details about the other portions of the DO will be posted soon, but we'd like to get the core DUT portion finalized pretty soon.

monitor

In for a dime, in for a dollar.

Grand Aleutian confirmed for Wed 2June one night. In on PenAir Wed 330PM out Thurs 730PM. Question for jackal: Do I fool around with the Wiki or should I just let you do it?

Now to figure out how to get to ANC without breaking the bank or taking a redeye and then needing to change planes a couple of times after that.

And last, to check to see whether frantic is interested in another trip to Denali. I think that I could be persuaded although if she were to suggest rather a dinner at Seven Glaciers, my will to see nature would collapse very quickly.