Alaska 50 years ago

Marc Kurth
Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭✭
in In the Weeds--Member's Choice #1
I did some work up there, on/off from 1974 through 1977. I took this picture of pipe sections northbound from Anchorage. Just a little piece of history.
I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    All real outdoorsmen would move to Alaska if Alaska moved way south. Its only real issue is the Alaskan winter. A lot of people try it. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    After high school in 1974 I was a machinist in a medical R&D lab. It was a dream job that at the time and I didn't realize how fortunate I was for the training. I took the position because of another young guy who left it for the job as a welder on the pipelines in Alaska. Every once in a while he would pop in and loved to rub it in as to how much money he was making per hour. To me it was just ludicrous. I think I was making around $3.50/hr at the time and was doing a lot better than any of my buddies. 
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    I was designing and providing the heating systems for the "U" buildings, as a subcontractor for RM Parsons and Flour. So I was only there for 2 weeks at a time for inspection, verification and testing at 6-8 weeks intervals. Up in Prudhoe, I only visited the ARCO camp. I was never allowed to enter the fancier BP camp. I was fortunate to steal some time to tour around by car out of Anchorage.
    The amount of money being made and spent daily was ludicrous. Everything was fast track, and cost didn't matter. Everything I dealt with went to Flying Tigers at LAX or SFO for direct flights to Anchorage or Fairbanks. As each winter approached, the material specifications became "fluid" in favor of whatever could be on the next flight. 
    There was a zero tolerance policy for alcohol and no women were allowed in camp. Saw some crazy stuff going on behind the scenes. People making too much cash will do stupid things.


    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 5 #5
    softdown said:
    All real outdoorsmen would move to Alaska if Alaska moved way south. Its only real issue is the Alaskan winter. A lot of people try it. 

    My daughter lived in Anchorage for five years ending in 2021 and loved it, including the winters.Too cold for me, but her husband would hunt Moose at -25F. I really like the lower Kenai, including Homer.


    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,682 admin
    #6
    Friend's father was the head of security for the pipeline for a number of years... Vehicles would be hidden in snow drifts and picked up later.

    He went back later working as a lone guard in a line shack, and made more money than he did as head of of security.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭✭
    #7

    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
    · Share on Twitter

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