Preliminary planning for AK flight

Hey all... I saw the other post on a "long x-c" and figured I'd throw this in
for thought (and not hijack his thread). One of my plane partners and I are planning
to fly to Alaska this upcoming summer. I'm from there, and have driven the Alaska
highway a number of times, but he's never been there. Thus, he's got no idea how far
it *really* is...

I'm planning on running through the AOPA's "How to fly to Alaska" info, but I
figured I'd get some preliminary info from those here who may have done it. Relevant
info:

Plane: PA-28-180 (We're not in that much of a hurry)
Departu Southwest Virginia
Destination: Juneau, AK... possibly excursion up north to interior (Fairbanks, etc)
Approx straight-line distance: 3000nm

I plan on flying more or less like driving... i.e. a few long days during the
boring 2/3 of the trip (OH, IN, IL, WI, IA, MN, ND, SK, AB), and then slow down a bit
for the interesting parts. Do most people follow the highway up from BC, YT and
beyond?

My folks will be in Juneau at the time, so the destination is a "home-base."
Most likely fly in via White pass and Skagway if the weather permits. Well aware of
the bad weather issues of SE-AK, but not necessary as relating to light GA flight. I
figure it will be clear (ha ha!), or high VFR scud to get down the pass and the
channel. I don't think a Cherokee's up to IFR into Juneau.

Anway, I figured I'd get some prelim thoughts from others. Sounds like a
great adventure, and I hope to be celebrating the completion of my degree.

-Cory

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* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
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