Accommodations:

Stacia’s family will try their best to provide housing, however space is limited. The Stone Family has a beautiful lodge with cabins available for rent (the historical Wrangell R. Ranch); this is a great option if you prefer your own space (please see the tab W. R. Ranch for more details). There is also a rustic public use cabin called the “Too Much Johnson Cabin” (see below picture). Please contact Stacia to discuss housing options. Her cell phone number is 907-347-6714.

Packing:

Bush planes can only accommodate so much weight. It will be important to pack according to your plane’s weight restrictions. One way to weigh your gear is to step on a scale and weigh yourself, then hold your gear and weigh yourself with your gear, you can then subtract your weight, and get a close estimate of your parcel’s weight.

If you are flying on the mail plane, you are only guaranteed 30 pounds per person, if there is room available, additional weight is 45 cents per pound.

Necessities

-Headlamp

-Lighters or matches

-Rain jacket/pants or poncho

-Water boots (knee high if possible)

-Wool Socks

-Warm clothes (layers are best)

-Felt hat or beanie

-Work gloves

-Bike helmet (for kids)

-Water bottle

-Wash rag and towel

-Toiletries (see below)

-Water filter (optional, see below)

-Slippers (optional)

-Personalized medical kit with medications (important, see below)

If you plan on hiking

-Hiking boots

-Daypack

-Water bottle

-Bear Gun or Bear Mace (this can be barrowed)

If you plan on fishing

-Alaska Fishing license

Note: The below picture is of Beaver Lake that is full of lake trout, burbot and grayling.

Medical:

Chisana is surrounded by mountains and the weather can change quickly. It is very common to get “weathered in.”

Please make sure to pack all medications and include an additional week’s supply just in case planes do not fly.

Should there be an emergency, you will be attended to by locals. If a medivac is needed, it might take several hours (or days) for them to arrive and the plane will only transport the injured person. Medivacs can be costly, if desired, medivac insurance can be purchased.

The best thing to do is make good decisions and avoid risk while in the mountains.

Mail:

Chisana has a mail plane that delivers every Tuesday and Thursday (weather contingent).

It is recommended to mail any extra dry goods (food, clothing, etc.) at least a month before arrival.

This will free up weight on your flight. Amazon Prime mails most items to the Chisana address. This is a great way to have dried food or other items delivered free of freight charges.

The Chisana Address is:

Food:

Food is generally kept cool in “cold holes,” cellars that are below frost line in the ground. Some people have refrigerators and freezers, but space is limited. If you want to bring in food that needs to stay cold, it is recommended to use cooler bags and ice packs while traveling and then keep your food in a cold hole once you arrive.

Breakfast

Stacia and Stormy will provide coffee and breakfast for out-of-state guests.

Lunch

Stacia and Stormy will provide a light lunch for out-of-state guests.

Dinner

Most dinners will be shared with the community potluck style. If you have a favorite side dish, dessert, salad, etc. please feel free to share. Most accommodations will have a propane cook stove, or there will be access to one in a neighbor’s cabin. The community of Chisana loves food… If you are a chief at heart and want to host a meal, the community would welcome a new cook… BUT, if cooking is not your thing, please just show up and enjoy!

Snacks

Please bring your own favorite snacks

Water

Locals drink directly from creeks, springs and open wells. If you are not comfortable with this, a filter such as such as LifeStraw or a Travel Berkey are recommended.

Drinks

Please bring your favorite drinks (including alcoholic beverages). Stacia and Stormy only stock coffee, powdered milk and hot tea.

Note: The below picture is Stacia and Stormy’s kitchen. Anyone is welcome to use it.

Toiletries:

Some cabins have an indoor toilet and a shower; however, some cabins are completely “dry,” meaning there is only an outhouse (the hosts will haul a container of water to dry cabins for bird baths and drinking). If you stay in a dry cabin, the hosts will try to accommodate showers as much as possible. If the weather is good, some people might enjoy solar showers. Solar showers and soap will be provided.

Note: The below photo is the new bathroom that Stormy built.

Dry cabins are not uncommon in Alaska. See the below link to learn more about life in Alaska.

https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/how-to-live-in-a-dry-cabin-and-why-you-want-to/

Laundry:

Stacia and Stormy have a washer with a spinner, however it is a bit time consuming and clothes will need to be line dried. If you plan on staying multiple days, it is recommended to mail in extra clothes via the USPS before arriving (see above information).

Note: The below picture is Elsa doing laundry chores.

Heating:

All cabins are heated with wood stoves. Water is generally kept on the stoves to have wash water available. Visitor cabins will be stocked with wood, however guests will need to stoke their fires in the night or early morning. Hosts will teach guest how to maintain a fire, if they have not done this before.

Note: The below picture is of a typical stove with water.

Electricity:

Most cabins do not have 110-volt electric; however, many cabins have 12-volt solar panels. If you think you might want to charge a devise via a USB cord (cell phone, music speaker, etc.) this is possible. Cabin lighting varies, some have modern 12-volt fixtures, some have propane lights, and some have nothing but lanterns.

Telecommunications:

Stacia’s father has limited internet. If someone needs to check email periodically, it might be available. Most residences have landline telephones. (Text is sometimes available only with Apple phones).

Note: Both telephone and internet are not always reliable.

Transportation in Chisana:

Chisana is spread out on both sides of Johnson Creek. Although walking is always an option, ATV’s are often used.

Garbage:

It is important to keep your campsite clean. Chisana residence do not want to attract bears or other wildlife into their cabins. There are burn barrels available to burn your trash after it rains. Food waste (slop) should be dumped at a designated location on the river for the birds. Any non-burnable items will need to be sent out on your departing flight.