Van Life Adventure in Alaska: Not All Fun and Games

Exploring Rural Alaska in a Blizzard

Videos often romanticize van life, representing it as a perfect adventure. Though, living on the road isn’t always enjoyable. Tim Johnson from Truck House Life’s YouTube channel has experienced the harsher side of travel. For example, he is no stranger to driving hundreds of miles in rural Alaska during heavy snowfall and temperatures plunging down to -60°F. Unfortunately, during one of his trips, Tim encountered a caribou in the roadway. This serves as an accurate illustration of the reality for him.

Johnson’s rig is a 9th-generation Ford F-350 with an ancient, 7.3L Power Stroke turbodiesel V8. In lieu of the stock cargo bed it has been enhanced by a teeny dwelling made out of wood. It has been outfitted with all that one would require to engage in full-time vagabonding – encompassing a bunk and as well as an oven.

On Tuesday, in a video uploaded to his personal channel, Johnson sought to reach Deadhorse– a hamlet in the Arctic Ocean vicinity. Popular primarily amongst individuals laboring in the Prudhoe Bay oilfields on the Alaskan northern peak, it is further renowned as a popular destination for tourist attractions such as multiple nocturnal hours during the winter season, never-ending daylight during summertime, along with the spectacle of the candle-glowing auroras.

The roadways and the atmospheric conditions are approaching a nightmarish state. Severe winds and a raging snow storm give Johnson almost no scope to discern the path ahead. Snow is piled up on the route at multiple locations, compelling Johnson to drive the same worn-out path as other large vehicles. Van life appears to be nothing close to the dreamy Utopian vision it often portrays.

After weathering the foul storm, Johnson arrived at a Department of Transportation station, only to learn that the route was blocked due to five destroyed trucks obstructing the highway. He was forced to turn around. Fortunately, a kind representative from the DOT offered to provide Johnson with an on-site inspection of the extensive wreckage, keeping him abreast of the situation.

Going back isn’t an effortless process. At approximately 44 minutes into the video, Johnson is driving smoothly when he unexpectedly finds his way blocked by a collection of caribou traversing the street. The tarmac is very icy, meaning he lacks the ability to decelerate before he struck one. Fortunately, the animal hastened away, and the vehicle’s guard bar was capable of withstanding the hit without any damage.

The buffer of snow and piercing cold temperature make this drive appear to be a perilous voyage, rather than something to look forward to. Additionally, driving such a far distance just for the route to become impracticable near our finale would be utterly devastating to us. Despite all this however, Johnson doesn’t seem concerned, which is a commendable outlook to have.

This is the conclusive segment of a three-part set of episodes concerning Johnson’s voyage. The other two segments, integrated, last close to ninety minutes. In case you’re mulling over exploring the globe utilizing your transportable home, we recommend taking in all three of the clips to make sure your outlooks are properly arranged.

My Worst Nightmare Happened | Driving my Old Ford Truck House to the Arctic Ocean in a -60F Blizzard