Alaska Yukon adventures: the unfolding of one man's plan to share the life of his dreams.
Author | Carter, Kristin |
Position | TOURISM - Andy Bassich - Occupation overview |
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Andy Bassich moved from Maryland to Alaska in the 1980s to follow his dream of living in the Alaska bush. Having spent years as a trapper, musher and a riverboat captain, Bassich acquired the skills needed to share his dream through Alaska Yukon Adventures, a unique tour business which combines the adventures of dog mushing with the practice of subsistence living in remote Calico Bluff near Eagle.
From the time he was very young, Bassich had a persistent longing to live and work in the wilds of Alaska. In 1984 he arrived in Eagle, and traded a truckload of wood for his first dog, Muzzle. That year he also met a local trapper who mentored him in the skills of trapping and mushing. With this newfound knowledge, Bassich lived the next four years as a trapper, staying in a small cabin with his team of dogs.
During this time, Bassich acquired a 24-foot jet boat with the hopes of starting a tour and transportation business on the Yukon. However, he was soon contacted by Holland America Westours Inc., and was asked if he could provide a service as pilot boat for the Yukon Queen river cruise. After two weeks of operating the pilot boat, he was offered a position as a mate onboard the Yukon Queen, and later obtained his Coast Guard Merchant Marine Captain License. After becoming captain of the 100-ton Yukon Queen II, he met Kate, a tourist from Canada, who would later become his wife and eventual business partner.
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Still desirous of living the subsistence lifestyle for which he had yearned, in 1999 Bassich became a relief captain in order to free up enough time to start building his homestead with his wife in Calico Bluff. The homestead was built by hand while Bassich lived in a tent. He built a small sawmill, cut his own lumber and logs, cleared the land of black spruce trees and completed his home in only one year.
Whilst working onboard the Yukon Queen, Bassich met many people who were interested in his way of life, especially dog mushing. Thus, he began giving winter sled dog tours, taking only one person at a time. While on the tour, the client would learn to take care of their team, drive their own team, and help with camp chores.
Bassich now owns 24 sled dogs and can take two or more guests out at a time during his winter tours. He suggests his clients come for 10 days to two weeks in order to get the most out of their investment. "Most people come in living a very busy lifestyle and the pace of...
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