Van life in a remote ghost town | McCarthy, Alaska

We made it back from the Yukon to Alaska! After we crossed the border, we head to one of the smallest towns in Alaska. Nestled within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, you'll find the fun and funky town of McCarthy. You’re not allowed to drive in and the roads are still dirt, but what it lacks, it makes up with absolute charm. There is also a pretty amazing campsite with a glacier view that can't be beat. From here, we explore the town of McCarthy and the very well-maintained and abandoned Kennicott copper mine.
PATREON:
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OUR FAVORITE CAMP GEAR:
• Chefman 2 Quart Mini Air Fryer: amzn.to/3SE3o4I
• Thermacell Mosquito Repeller: amzn.to/4cGG26t
• Repel Plant-Based Mosquito Repellent: amzn.to/3Sax6yi
• Lodge 2 qt Dutch Oven: amzn.to/3Yg2k8g
• Tembotusk Skottle Grill: amzn.to/3xSXDFs
• Rosewood Extra Long Tongs (these are the absolute best!!!!): amzn.to/3uH709W 4-in-1
• Grill Spatula: amzn.to/3KFE1MJ Portable
ABOUT US:
We’re Brian, Emily, and our adventure-loving dog, Wez. We traded in our 9-5 careers in our forties for the open road, living and exploring in our fully converted 4x4 Sprinter van. From breathtaking landscapes to hidden gems, we’re on a mission to discover the world’s beauty and share it with you.
Subscribe to follow our travels, watch us learn as we go, and see some of the things we experience. Thank you for being part of our journey!

[@ely7792]

AMAZING!! Please keep them coming guys, you're getting there. ❤

[@AdventureOutThere]

Thank you! We’ll definitely keep them coming 😊 Look for another mid-week this week!

[@colleendaughenbaugh184]

Great video. I used to watch a TV show called “Edge of Alaska” and the entire show was about the people who live in and around McCarthy. It was really interesting and included a little bit of drama between some of the residents.

[@AdventureOutThere]

Thanks so much! I can only imagine what kind of drama goes down in that small town. So much fun and beauty though, probably worth dealing with a little of that. 😆 We’ll have to see if we can find that show online. Sounds super interesting!

[@colleendaughenbaugh184]

@@AdventureOutThere I think you’ll like it. The background of beautiful Alaska was my initial draw and a huge highlight but also seeing how hard residents have to work to provide for their families (raising animals and growing their own vegetables, etc) was also really interesting. Getting to know the residents and seeing how some of them looked out and helped one another was also inspiring!

[@AdventureOutThere]

@@colleendaughenbaugh184 You definitely have to be pretty hardy to live there! We also saw some beautiful gardens on our way up to Kennicott. Can’t wait to check out the show!

[@MelissaChernovsky-mh6xv]

Beautiful out there, that reflection was like a mirror. It's cool for us viewers to see these places... I didn't even know were out there. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.

[@AdventureOutThere]

Thanks, Melissa! We love being able to share and love people like you following along even more. Take care!

[@christinelewis5765]

We live in Juneau and enjoy camping in Whitehorse and haven’t been for a couple years, but we’re on our way this week. We’re so excited to finally get a chance for another road trip north! Watching you guys is making me all that much more eager to get under way. I’m enjoying your videos.

[@AdventureOutThere]

Hello in Juneau! We absolutely love your town! We haven’t been to Whitehorse yet, but should be going through there in a month or so. Hope you have a fantastic time! Let us know if there is anything we need to make sure to checkout while we’re there. Thanks for watching and safe travels!

[@wolfh5252]

Another wonderful video! Absolutely amazing campground. Thanks for taking us along. ❤️

[@AdventureOutThere]

Thank YOU!! It was a great spot and we hope to go back soon. Thanks for being here!

[@user-lb1xl1on9h]

You guys are naturals ! Keep on keeping on 👍🏽

[@AdventureOutThere]

That’s the best compliment ever. We’re still learning as we go and appreciate it so much!

[@MotorhomeAdventuring]

Another interesting video guys....well done.....👍👏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@AdventureOutThere]

Thanks so much!! We appreciate you being here from far away!

[@PixelBokeh]

Been following you all as I grew up in Alaska and have had a Sprinter since 2019. Worth keeping in mind that a lot of things start to shut down by mid-September or have severely reduced staff. You might find it a bit more difficult to see some of the tourist sites or do fishing/bear tours if you wait too long. Some restaurants will be closing as well. Everyone and their van loving mother has done Whittier so would by pass there. Some good camping along the beaches in Ninilchik and Anchor Point on the Kenai peninsula. Homer and Katchamak bay have lots to see and do as well. Hope you’re able to get back down safely before the bad weather hits the AlCan. Happy travels!

[@AdventureOutThere]

Thanks so much for the insight! That’s good to know. I think we’re going to be heading south in mid-September, but it already feels like fall now. 😅 We’re currently on the Kenai, so appreciate the recommendations! All our best.

[@JeepCampingWithStelly]

Your videos honestly bring me so much joy 🥹 also what night is it? … taco night *funky music* 😂😂😂

[@AdventureOutThere]

Awe! Thanks so much! We love hearing that and it keeps us inspired. ❤️ Every night is taco night. 😆

[@sherrybell5650]

Great Content!

[@AdventureOutThere]

Thanks again! Appreciate you!!

[@JackWorkz]

AhMazing !.. ✌️

[@AdventureOutThere]

Thanks so much!!

[@user-vj7qx1zy2b]

Cool video. Good luck you two.

[@AdventureOutThere]

Thanks so much! We appreciate it! 🤙

[@user-vj7qx1zy2b]

@@AdventureOutThere thanks for replying you just earned my subscription not that it will help much but I love that you love dogs and the shower creation was really great I hope it gets used more than I think it will take care and God bless you

[@jtwanderer6328]

Amazing shower setup! Loved the views and commentary on McCarthy and the mine. Gotta ask... any problems with the glacier water? I've always wanted to drink wild icy fresh water like that. Happy Travels!

[@AdventureOutThere]

Thanks!! We can confirm, there were no issues from drinking the glacier water. 😆 Definitely a risk worth it!

[@MacSociety]

Nothing wrong with Food Stache... always can save a few morsels as a snack for later. Also, after eating peanut butter, your stache smells great all day. ;-)

[@AdventureOutThere]

Hahaha! So true.

[@anniedonnelly7416]

I just found this channel. I'm already a fan. Please get better mics. Y'all say the cutest things and have CC on and keep rewinding and have a hard time hearing, but no other notes

[@AdventureOutThere]

Noted! We have some, but sometimes need to record quickly to get the shot and it takes a bit to mic up. We’ll certainly try harder though! Appreciate the feedback. 😊

[@theangrycamper]

Damn, I wanna be there too!!!!

[@AdventureOutThere]

You would love it! Put it on your list!!

[@arielzshell]

hi I’m ariel I also just quit my job in San Francisco Bay Area to live out my dream to travel in a camper van 🚐 Happy travels!

[@AdventureOutThere]

Hi Ariel! Congrats on taking that leap. Wishing you all the best in your upcoming travels!

[@neenah789]

Maybe youve shared before, but aside feom being in ideal weather...what else do you do so yoi feel good keeping your dog in the car?? New van owner and seeing what my best options are!! :)

[@AdventureOutThere]

@@neenah789 He’s definitely our baby and number one priority! We won’t leave him in the van if it’s too hot outside, but that’s also why we’ve come North to make sure the weather is cool for him. If it is too hot and we need to run errands, one of us will stay in the van with him. If it’s nice out and we need to leave him in the van, we put the shades up and fans on, make sure he has plenty of water, and he is happy to hang out in there for a few hours. 😊 We’re also looking into a Waggle pet monitor, which can give us all the stats for when we leave him. That will be more important as we head back south. Hope that helps!