Alaskan Highway documentary

The Alaska Highway (also known as the Alaskan Highway, Alaska-Canadian Highway, or ALCAN Highway) was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous United States to Alaska across Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon. Completed in 1942 at a length of approximately 1,700 miles (2,700 km), as of 2012 it is 1,387 mi (2,232 km) long. The difference in distance is due to constant reconstruction of the highway, which has rerouted and straightened out numerous sections. The highway was opened to the public in 1948.[1] Legendary over many decades for being a rough, challenging drive, the highway is now paved over its entire length.[2] Its component highways are British Columbia Highway 97, Yukon Highway 1 and Alaska Route 2.
An informal system of historic mileposts developed over the years to denote major stopping points; Delta Junction, at the end of the highway, makes reference to its location at "Historic Milepost 1422."[2] It is at this point that the Alaska Highway meets the Richardson Highway, which continues 96 mi (155 km) to the city of Fairbanks. This is often regarded, though unofficially, as the northern portion of the Alaska Highway, with Fairbanks at Historic Milepost 1520.[2] Mileposts on this stretch of highway are measured from Valdez, rather than the Alaska Highway. The Alaska Highway is popularly (but unofficially) considered part of the Pan-American Highway, which extends south (despite its discontinuity in Panama) to Argentina.[3]
Music, Art, Film, Authors, History, Transportation and the Sciences www.sherwayacademy.ca

Пікірлер: 46

  • @tonithomas8568
    @tonithomas85682 жыл бұрын

    Our family traveled the Alcan in 1955, it was not paved but was gravel. My parents, four little girls in the backseat in a 52' Buick. At one point we were washed off the highway but Dad drove us right back up onto the road. Drivers lost windshields and sometimes engines. Final destination Fort Richardson; three years of watching bears raid trash cans, moose everywhere, great fishing and adventure. Alaska was still a territory, not a popular place to go but that changed. An awesome experience.

  • @RuralRevolution

    @RuralRevolution

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your story.

  • @rce2198
    @rce2198 Жыл бұрын

    Just completed this drive. Amazing scenery. Thanks to the hard working men who made it possible. Once in a lifetime experience.

  • @rchrd1bolt
    @rchrd1bolt3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you , my father drove the Alcan hauling 48” pipe in the early 70s .

  • @jasonlieu5379
    @jasonlieu5379 Жыл бұрын

    Now that's how you do a documentary very well done.

  • @lynnparker7930
    @lynnparker7930 Жыл бұрын

    This documentary is much more accurate, based on research, and more inclusive about the role of the African-American regiments. They did not have the equipment that the Caucasian regiment had but was able to succeed and complete their tasks much sooner than those with equipment. I'm proud of my dad, James Ausby Mitchell, a.k.a. Bud and Daddy Bud, who was in the 95th Regiment.

  • @arnoldaltjr.2099
    @arnoldaltjr.20993 жыл бұрын

    Memorable trip. Made it in 2010. 8464 miles from start to finish. 96 Chevy 1 ton and 31 ft Airstream.

  • @trulysurprised-bk7cy

    @trulysurprised-bk7cy

    3 жыл бұрын

    I did it in 06 from Ct. 12666 miles . Trip of a lifetime ❤

  • @AirborneAnt
    @AirborneAnt2 ай бұрын

    What a great documentary!!!!!

  • @glenngoodale1709
    @glenngoodale17095 жыл бұрын

    What a great video !

  • @Dutch_Uncle
    @Dutch_Uncle3 жыл бұрын

    I've done the whole thing twice, parts of it combined with the Alaska Ferry, more times, and I am ready to do it again to get to a summer job in Alaska. Not mentioned is that Liard Hot Springs, BC, is a delightful stop on the Alaska Highway. Three pools offer a choice of temperatures. The "Milepost" guide is magnificent, and it covers other highways in Alaska, not just the Alaska Highway. You will need it. Last tip: Don't rejoice too much once you cross into Alaska. The Alaska State Troopers are quite alert in the border area for those who go over 60 MPH/100 KMPH. Yes, I got a ticket.

  • @rce2198

    @rce2198

    Жыл бұрын

    @@terencechevalier5756 We just traveled the road . They were open early Oct.

  • @danbremer7010
    @danbremer70103 жыл бұрын

    This is how you make a documentary folks. Well done.

  • @wicky1

    @wicky1

    2 жыл бұрын

    The great Hoyt Axton as narrator is the icing on the cake!

  • @davidbrown-xk8zl
    @davidbrown-xk8zl4 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful film.Very informative. Facts were given me that I did not know.Thankyou.

  • @sherrystanford8037
    @sherrystanford80373 жыл бұрын

    Incredible film, beginning to end!

  • @lakakl3787
    @lakakl37873 жыл бұрын

    Crossed it every year from 78-84. Would love to do it again one day. Would be great if I could drive it again like it were then.

  • @jimhoward6584
    @jimhoward65847 ай бұрын

    First trip in 1972-----and about 50 more since then. Best drive in North America

  • @daveduncan1440
    @daveduncan14402 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing and caring

  • @mrg8255
    @mrg82553 жыл бұрын

    Very well done. Real heroes .

  • @louise3993
    @louise39939 ай бұрын

    I really enjoyed this. Thank you

  • @pawelsawicki7003
    @pawelsawicki70033 жыл бұрын

    Amazing ideas

  • @redbarchetta8782
    @redbarchetta87824 ай бұрын

    My grandfather was an road engineer building it during WWII.

  • @redbird6310
    @redbird63102 жыл бұрын

    "Winding in winding out ,Makes ya wonder, whether the lout that built this road was going to hell or coming out". I traveled it the first time in 1974 at 18 years old in a 51 Willys jeep. When I left Memphis in August of that year I had to ask my mom how to get to the Memphis/Arkansas bridge. Now at 66 I'm still here in Alaska.At that time there was 40 miles of pavement around Haines but the POTHOLES made it dangerous. The gravel was better. Lost three headlights and got a hole knocked the radiator by a passing trucks.Back then the upper pool at Laird was infected with Grizzleys and scabies.Bath at your own risk. Some crazy woman in Yukon territory was feeding black bear cubs in a trough between the gas pumps much to the chagrin of her husband. Gas there was about 60 cents/gallon.Highway robbery.

  • @RuralRevolution

    @RuralRevolution

    Жыл бұрын

    Good story Red.

  • @daveblanton2278
    @daveblanton22783 жыл бұрын

    Why don't our leaders work together for the good of the people, like this. Awesome

  • @shanecodman1842

    @shanecodman1842

    3 жыл бұрын

    Evil people controlling the world it’s crazy living in the future where resources are infinite but our learners want us enslaved

  • @trulysurprised-bk7cy

    @trulysurprised-bk7cy

    3 жыл бұрын

    No money in it

  • @Pfsif

    @Pfsif

    3 жыл бұрын

    Because they are bought and paid for.

  • @JeepCherokeeful

    @JeepCherokeeful

    2 жыл бұрын

    They’re working for the “good” of some people, that’s for sure!

  • @mobilityproject3485

    @mobilityproject3485

    6 ай бұрын

    Because we're cowardly and politicians took advantage

  • @DavidHuber63
    @DavidHuber63Ай бұрын

    This makes us about even, Fredrick. :)

  • @katstevens8266
    @katstevens82662 жыл бұрын

    :) I hitch hiked

  • @moemanncann895
    @moemanncann8953 жыл бұрын

    Wasn't aware Japanese bombed Dutch Harbor. Interesting video 👍

  • @redbird6310

    @redbird6310

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yea I think 300 were killed in their sleep at the barracks also they straffed the tank farm.In 1990 when I was there you could still see patches welded over the shrapnel holes in the fuel tanks and the old cannon emplacements controlling the harbor.

  • @Swindy1794
    @Swindy1794 Жыл бұрын

    Seems back then, airstream campers were everywhere… now however, you can’t touch one for less than $100,000 … and that’s a small one.

  • @scottholman3982

    @scottholman3982

    Жыл бұрын

    They are built more like a boat, well made with sturdy interior. Most RV trailers are built to be light, and are not very durable.

  • @queenjosieblacklab
    @queenjosieblacklab8 күн бұрын

    ✨🇺🇸❤️

  • @normanflores8361
    @normanflores8361 Жыл бұрын

    Norman flores

  • @katstevens8266
    @katstevens82662 жыл бұрын

    1974

  • @RuralRevolution

    @RuralRevolution

    Жыл бұрын

    Any pictures to share?

  • @markfriedersdorf4750
    @markfriedersdorf47503 жыл бұрын

    too bad they won't put in that sort of effort,to build a border wall on the mexican border.

  • @alfiehood352
    @alfiehood3523 жыл бұрын

    The horrible mini-skirt morphologically prepare because locust disappointedly snow below a direful spy. legal, tiny bag

  • @dragon4386
    @dragon43862 ай бұрын

    @truckhouselife