Ft. Greely HELP!

[starlite9]

Lots of good info here for a newbie, but one item that some folks forgot to mention is that during the winter months, there is daylight at Ft. Greeley, but the days are pretty short 4 to 6 hours in January, and the darkness makes for long nights for some people.

Some people don't handle the darkness very well and get depression really badly. I grew up here and I never gave it much thought. I would plan on taking some Vit. "D", or getting a sun lamp to sit under a bit every day, it seems to help those that are afflicted. Even timers to turn the lights on early in the morning to wake you up to light instead of the darkness.

I am outside as much as possible weather permitting and like the darkness, the Northern Lights are worth the wait, normally they come out about midnight, but they do pop out earlier.

There is the term "Cabin Fever", which is when people don't go outside, just sit in the house/cabin and go stir crazy. Just getting out to shovel the snow (if any), go for a walk, play with a snow machine (or four wheeler), snowshoe, split firewood and a host of other things to get you outside to burn off the energy really makes a differance...

If you are any kind of an outdoor person, you will really enjoy the area. A trip to Fairbanks is kind of an "Event" for a lot of folks too, they spend the night and do shopping, both rec and necessary stuff to burn off the winter steam.

If you are a city type, the place will drive you insane....

[bigbob1]

ststioned at greely 62 t0 64 . loved it. worked at old post office in basement.

[tonyasperiskadak.us]

Hi Beth. Im Tony. Ex Navy, been up here 20 years, live in wasilla and will be working at the greely powerhouse for a few months, until about November. First off, its really not so different here than there. Always a good idea to research things, but dont sweat the little stuff, you will work it out just fine. Cell service is spotty, but its there, also internet TV radio etc. Its a bit out in the middle of nowhere-but thats a benefit more so than a detriment. Plenty to do if you like the outdoors, and you are on the highway system, so you can get by with what you bring until you have time to get somewhere that has what you want. It does get cold in winter..so we stay inside where its warm lol. If you have some layers and a good winter coat you will be fine. Unless you work outdoors like me-then god help you, cause you wont be warm no matter what (I have 2000$ worth of cold weather gear that aint worth a dang when i have to stand still), so wait and see what you think you need this winter and save your money until you know. Groceries cost a lot-prepare yourself for the worst shock of your trip with that. People in Alaska are friendly and quite helpful-the more remote the more this is so, count on that. You will get to have an adventure many dream of and never see. Good luck, maybe i will see you guys up there

[Glitch]

This thread is two years old. Something tells me the original poster is no longer taking advice on Ft. Greely.

Please read the dates of the post to which you are responding. Comments two years after the fact may not be relevant any longer.