Hello all, I am an Austrian planespotter considering to make a trip to ANC next year.
My questions regarding this are:

1.) There doesn't seem to exist too many informations about photo-positions at ANC in the web. This source
http://www.spotterguide.net/index.php/p ... -anc-kanc/
is detailed and helpful, but shows only three places... Aren't there any other spots???

2.) Everts Air DC6F and especially Curtiss C46: Can I expect more or less frequent flights with those in spring (April to June)?
Is there any chance to get a permit for the apron & get close to those aircraft?
If yes, whom should I contact?

3.) Wildlife: There are warnings of encounters with moose and bears around the airport. How serious is that indeed?

...any further hints and tips?

THX in advance!

Hello Redcap.
That Spotterguide is currently showing only the most common spots (and fairly easy access). There are some more spots, but it all depends on what you are willing to do to get to them. Why’s that? Well, mainly because some of the spots (I know) are on remote locations where there is no vehicle access and you’ll have to hike for quite a while before getting to them.

First and most important is to define what season of the year you would like to visit ANC. The difference between 1 or two months is huge, not only for the amount of daytime but also because of the sun position and the vegetation. The scene can change dramatically in just weeks, so do have into consideration what is your main desire at ANC. Is it the length of the day? Snow on the mountains? Etc. Also some spots might not be accessible depending on the season and the amount of snow/mud/ice on the ground. Personally I think April (late) is the best time of the year because of:

Plenty of sunshine (06.00 to 21.30)
Probably still snowed mounts
You can shoot all day long from different spots,
Weather in the 30’s – 40’s
Last but not least: lower prices. By May prices will rise 50% and in June another 50%, so you might also want to consider that.

If you want, browse to some of my pictures in ANC and see what you like, then shoot me an email asking about specific location and I’ll detail you on how to get there.

Now getting to your other questions. #2, you can drive to the Everts Cargo hangar and ask, I’ve heard of people getting allowed to get inside.

#3, You’ll see the moose, that is a fact, but probably they won’t even care about you. If they come near, just ignore them (better if you leave, but do it pacefully), don’t run and don’t panic you’ll be OK. I asked people (locals) about bears and they told me no one ever has seen one near the airport, but you might want to just follow the spotterguide recommendations and pray for not being the first to see one.

Hope this helps.

Juan

ANC is simply the best photography location in the world today.
The combination of huge numbers of heavy freighters, floatplanes and classics like the DC-6 mean it has everything and the best light you will have ever seen.
Grab a hire car and just drive around there is good access all the way around the north side and a multitude of locations to shoot from.
Friendly locals great beer and the best aviation and backdrop in the world what more could you want.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Civil-Aviati ... 769-X2.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Civil-Aviati ... 620-X2.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Civil-Aviati ... 841-X3.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Civil-Aviati ... 755-X3.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Civil-Aviati ... dit-X3.jpg

Two minutes drive from runway 33 departures Lake Hood.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Civil-Aviati ... dit-X3.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Civil-Aviati ... 896-X3.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Civil-Aviati ... 064-X3.jpg

Most beautiful light you will ever see..

https://photos.smugmug.com/Civil-Aviati ... dit-X3.jpg

Hi,

I did ANC in March this year. I was there for 11 days, of which 6 were mostly or partly sunny. Temperatures were low, and there was snow on the ground and mountains. I chose March because of the low sun and lack of heat-haze (which can be bad in the summer).

One of the best spots in is Kincaid Park, but it involves a half-hour walk through the forest, across some pretty challenging terrain. Worth it when you get there, though! The bears were still in hibernation, but I did see a few moose - best thing to do is make plenty of noise as you go, as they will naturally avoid humans if they sense you coming. If you see one, keep a distance of at least 20 metres, and try to walk around it. They give signs if they are about to charge (head down, neck hairs standing up, etc.), but most charges are bluffs; if they do charge, head as quickly as possible to the nearest clump of sturdy trees, which should provide cover. Going back to bears, I was told by a local that they can be seen around the airport from mid-April, particularly in the trees by the side of runway 33. Other than that, I'm not sure how common they are. If you do encounter one, stand your ground and DO NOT run; the local shops sell pepper spray, which I believe is the most effective way to repel curious bears.

The 'classic' ANC spot is the runway 33 rotation/runway 15 flare location, which offers several mounds to get you above the fence. You can get as far down as the runway midpoint, meaning you can get smaller stuff rotating from 33. There's another mound by the security building on the southside, near Lyndon, but it was too distant for my liking.

Everts are pretty friendly, and will probably give you a daily schedule, although their movements do vary from day to day. There's a UPS car park adjacent to their ramp, which offers great shots if you're prepared to stand on the roof of your hire car!

Speaking of hire cars, one is a must - there's no way of successfully doing ANC without wheels.

If you want any more info, or to see my shots, let me know.

Karl

THX to all for the helpful statements so far. Further notes or trip-reports are appreciated though.
Depending on how my plans develop I will eventually ask the one or other detailed question or contact some of you guys directly.

I live in Anchorage. There are a plethora of spots. I made a Google Map of where my favorite spots are. All of these are accessible to the public, but you'll need a car.

Jaktrax
That's enough to put me off that spot!
I might plan a trip for April its the number one on my bucket list

It's very daunting at first! The trails are narrow and snake off into the woods - I was very nervous the first time I ventured away from the car in this area, especially when I came across a huge moose within a minute of leaving the car-park! I ran back to the car, but I decided that I'd come a long way to use this location, so I persuaded myself to try again and ignore the local wildlife. I came across one more moose that morning - at a distance - but by that time my fear had almost gone. Subsequent treks through those woods hardly bothered me, and to be honest distant moose will walk away from you if they spot you early enough. As I previously mentioned, best thing is to make lots of noise as you go, so they know you're coming - they only tend to charge if surprised and/or threatened.

I believe bears are far more prevalent in April, but again, with common sense, encounters should be something positive, rather than negative.