You know the song “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”? Well, it’s mid-February in our house and you can change that title to “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Alcan.” The Winter 2024 Alcan 5000 Rally is almost here.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Alcan
Everywhere you go
This trip will be no slouch
But I can’t sit on my couch …

– Me, trying to sit on my couch that’s filled with gear

Packing For The Alcan 5000

As evidenced by the mound of stuff we need to bring along with us in our living room, there’s a lot to pack for this trip. (Thankfully not as much as in 2020 when we took an old diesel-powered Mitsubishi Pajero and a lot of spare parts.) However, all this stuff has to come with us. Our INEOS Grenadier SUV (ahem .. “Station Wagon”) is a good deal bigger than our ’20 Alcan Pajero too, so I’m sure it’ll all fit. But it needs to be put into totes, boxes, bags, and bins. It should be organized somehow and we’ll need to tie it down for safety. Stuff includes:

• Factor 55 recovery gear (straps, shackles, snatch blocks)
• Shovel
• Sleeping bags (for an emergency)
• Extension cords for our oil pan heaters
• Snacks/food
• Winter clothing (jackets, hats, gloves, boots, hand warmers)
• Tools, Gorilla Tape, zip tires (never leave for an Alcan 5000 without them)
• Paper towels, anti-fog spray, funnels, and tie-downs/bungee cords
• Fire extinguisher
• All the other things I’m forgetting

For communications, we’re using Rugged Radios R1 handhelds and they’re set up. The Rhino Rack Folding Aerial Brackets on the optional Rhino Rack platform are installed with Rugged’s antennae. We’re carrying 10 gallons of 92 octane fuel thanks to our Rhino Rack Double Horizontal Jerry Can Holder and also some octane booster in case we can’t get premium fuel where we’re at. In case we get stuck, we have a full set of Maxtrax up there too, but we’re not anticipating needing them. Then again, who does? The truck also has an optional factory-supplied winch.

Last Minute Vehicle Things

The vehicle is pretty much ready to leave. We’ve had the Michelin X-Ice snow tires mounted and all the INEOS accessories are installed. Now we’re just figuring out how to use the Grenadier’s infotainment and electronics. I learned how to reset the odometer—important for TSD rally. We’re looking into how to change the display from MPH to KM/H. Hey, I know how to use all the wiper functions, and put the vehicle in the four-low—that’s important.

I applied some anti-fog to the windshield and front windows and it works really well. I’ll probably spray the rest of the windows this afternoon. Our personal vehicles will get this treatment upon our return.

Lastly, I may hook up the battery to a charger just to ensure it’s in tip-top shape. When its super cold, having all the juice you can get is crucial.

Alcan 5000 Weather Outlook

In 2020, we saw temperatures of -43° F in Inuvik, NT. Looking at towns along this year’s Alcan 5000 route, it seems like it’s going to much warmer than ’20. I’m seeing places in the mid-to-upper 30s. Even the northern town of Yellowknife is supposed to be in the mid-to-upper teens when we’re there. Now, of course, all that could change in a heartbeat. Also, this is only for the first 4–5 days of the event. It still might be -30° by the time we get to Fairbanks or up in Coldfoot, so I’m not professing anything yet. Admittedly, this is the Alcan 5000 winter rally. Winter conditions are the name of the game. Can you imagine if we have bare pavement for most of the event? That’d be wild.

We leave the starting line in Kirkland, WA February 21 and we cannot wait. Stay tuned here and on our Instagram and Facebook to follow along on our journey.