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15 Years ago in the Sounder - Challenge Alaska plans snowmachine expedition

December 29th 8:33 pm | Charles Bingham Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

Published Jan. 1, 1997 - The group Challenge Alaska has planned an Arctic snowmachine expedition as a fundraiser for its programs for disabled Alaskans.

The Challenge Alaska Arctic Cat Expedition is a plan to circumnavigate the Alaskan Arctic, covering some 4,000 miles over parts of the next two winters.

The trip will involve more than a dozen business professionals and outdoor enthusiasts, with 10 committed to the whole trip. The riders will use specially modified Arctic Cat snowmachines, with each sled pulling a special trailer that can be used as a sleeping compartment when all the gear is removed from it.

The trip wil start Feb. 26 in Wasilla, and the snowmachiners will follow the Iditarod Trail to Nome. After a couple of days rest, the group will then head toward Kotzebue, Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, Barrow and Deadhorse, where the trip will finish for the year.

The second leg of the trip will start in the February 1998 in Deadhorse, with a circle loop including stops in Kaktovik and Arctic Village before following the Porcupine River to the Yukon River Bridge and back to Deadhorse. A stop in Fairbanks may still be added to the second year's leg.

"We're not going to be going that fast," said Evans. "We're looking for guides over various parts of the trail, and we're also trying to make contact with disabled people in the villages to see if we can bring them anything."

Individuals and corporations can make pledges based on the mileage, with the money to help Challenge Alaska retire the debt on its newly-completed recreation and education center for the disabled in Girdwood. Challenge Alaska is a non-profit organization that provides sports and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities.

"Basically, we're hoping to raise a quarter of a million dollars over two years," Evans said. "You can really see your donation money staying in Alaska with this group."

One of Challenge Alaska's best-known programs I an adaptive ski program at Eaglecrest Ski Area in Juneau that handles 50-60 people. Challenge Alaska is the only chapter of National Handicapped Sports in the state, and the group also hosts the semiannual Midnight Sun Ultra Challenge wheelchair race from Fairbanks to Anchorage.

Other programs by the group include leisure outings such as museum and movie trips, an equipment technology program to modify recreation equipment for disabled people, and summer outdoor activities such as river rafting and water skiing.

Some of the riders expected to take part in the expedition are Col. Norman Vaughan (second year only), John McDonald, Max Lowe, Wayne Anthony Ross, Jeff Vanderwall, Clinton Holloway, J.D. Daniels, Lee Raiter, Fritz Pleier, Tina Edge, Jonie Stephon, John Pezzenti, Don Brandon, Wayne Carpenter and Evans.

Carpenter is the executive director of the expedition, McDonald is team leader and Pezzenti is project coordinator. Pleier's company builds the sleeping sleds. Brandon is a former winner of the Midnight Sun Wheelchair Marathon.

Most of the riders plan to complete the entire 4,000 miles, but some may only do certain parts of the course because of work and other commitments. The riders expect to spend as much as a month on the trail each year.

In conjunction with the event, an Arctic Cat snowmachine will be raffled off after the expedition is finished. Other smaller prizes will be raffled off at the send-off banquet this February, and those tickets will also be good for the snowmachine raffle the next year. Other events include a "let It Snow" campaign where merchants sell snowflakes for $1 that are then displayed during the winter season, Arctic survival clinics, snowmachine safety clinics and first aid clinics.

The group hopes to meet with elders and other dignitaries in each village, and plans to bring small gifts for each village. It also hopes to bring various items needed by disabled people to villagers who might not be able to obtain them. At the end of the expedition, Col. Baughan's snowmachine will be donated to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

 

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