Stacia’s second grandfather, Ivan Thorall “proved up” on a homestead in Chisana, a settlement situated on the headwaters of the Tanana River, southeast of Northway. Stacia grew-up spending time with her family and friends in the area. She was very excited to share the rural off-grid experience with Stormy. She was elated when she discovered Stormy loved the area as much as she did. Before Stormy proposed, he already had a vision of where he wanted to say his vows; Stacia was excited to hear it was in Chisana.

Chisana is a unique experience, but it is not for everyone. Chisana is only accessible by bush plane (in the summer) and most accommodations consist of dry cabins without electricity. Despite, a lack of modern conveniences, Chisana is located in the largest National Park in North America and is surrounded by beautiful pristine country. Chisana also has a rich mining history and the area if covered in artifacts.

Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve is an American national park and preserve managed by the National Park Service in South Central Alaska. The park and preserve were established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). The park and preserve form the largest area managed by the National Park Service with a total of 13,175,799 acres, an expanse that could encapsulate six Yellowstone National Parks.

The park includes a large portion of the Saint Elias Mountains, which include most of the highest peaks in the United States and Canada, yet are within 10 miles of tidewater, one of the highest reliefs in the world. The chief distinction between park and preserve lands is that sport hunting is prohibited in the park and permitted in the preserve. In addition, 9,078,675 acres of the park and preserve are designated as the largest single wilderness in the United States.

Please visit the following links for more information:

Link to the National Park Service.

https://www.nps.gov/wrst/learn/historyculture/chisana-historical-site.htm

Link to a mini-documentary about flying in the Chisana area. Note: Mr. Ellis operates out of Nebesna which is about 56 miles from Chisana. Inholders snow machine from Nebesna to Chisana in the Winter/Spring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQkP3PyDn_I

Link to a video of a typical mail run from Tok to Chisana.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3BMYBLkmx4

Link to a short video about a unique airplane that you can see in Chisana, with views of the Anchorage area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNSlMRK-G2U

Links to beautiful videos created by Arthur Haefliger, a Chisana local.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Ko-9c3CIM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVlbYyR2pf8