Three Old Guys Snowmachine 4,000 Miles to Fairbanks
By Sarah Olson
Being from Minnesota, I understand that adventure is basically its middle name. Heck, if adventure was the name of a town there, it’d probably be the capital. A group of three guys from Minnesota, calling themselves “3 Old Guys” are giving adventure a run for its money. Rob Hallstrom, Paul Dick and Rex Hibbort are three guys from Minnesota that are taking on an epic journey, a 4,000-mile snowmachine ride from Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Fairbanks. If they weren’t cool enough yet, it gets better. These young bucks are at the ripe ages, from 65-72.
The path they are taking through the arctic tundra is no easy task. The guys have been breaking trail for a good portion of the way, carrying saws, axes, and other tools to aid them in making it through to Fairbanks. The guys wrote that “There are many ways we can get to Alaska, most of which are much easier than this route, but we like the path less traveled”. Throughout the trip they rode on historic trails that supplied remote villages from the 1920s to the 1970s. Assuming they were able to find the trails, it would take them through the Canadian Arctic. In addition to this, they noted that rivers are the “highways of the North” and plan on following them for miles.
Cell service is a hot commodity in the arctic. Coming across places where you can send a text are very few and far between. The guys send periodic messages to their wives letting them know that they haven’t gotten eaten by a polar bear, driven off a mountain or fallen through ice- what a wonderful message to look forward to! I was lucky enough to be able to talk with Rob Hallstrom’s wife, MaJeana. I’m immensely impressed by the constant support for their husbands. I can imagine her perspective on the expedition is far different than her husband's. When asked for her thoughts when the trip was being planned, she responded “to be honest I didn’t think they were serious, but I should have known better; Rob has been part of many long-distance endurance-type of adventures. Rex and Paul have done many long-distance races, including Alaska’s Iron Dog Race.” It was in 2019 that their crazy idea was cooked up while they were riding from Minnesota to Hudson bay. COVID prevented the trip from happening until now. They were serious about trying to do it in 2022 but due to supply chain issues, they couldn’t get the equipment they needed. 2023 was the lucky year for the trip. It seems to me that this 4,000 mile trip was part of the course for them, adventure is engraved in their DNA.
While anticipating updates and news from home, the wives of the 3 Old Guys as well as Rob and MaJeana’s daughter, Kasie have been able to get to know each other better through a minimum of 20 text messages a day flying between the four of them. There is a huge support group with several key individuals who are also reporting and communicating behind the scenes.
Fairbanks was the chosen place to end the journey as it has the resources to wrap everything up and fly home. Additionally, it was one of the few places where the weather could be somewhat trustworthy. Our intense winters provided all the snow just for them, so they finish the trip. After all, they're called snowmachines, not gravel machines, for a reason.
The original end date of the trip was aimed for the end of March, however, not everything always goes to plan. There have been a handful of things that have given the trip a later expected date, including a snowmachine catching on fire. Now, they plan to arrive in Fairbanks either on April 6th or 7th.
Once they arrive, you better believe there is going to be a celebration for them. There are several organizations around town that want to put together a big event for them. Friends and family from Minnesota and Idaho are coming to Fairbanks for their arrival as well. If all goes to plan, be sure to go out and support these guys and their amazing achievements.
Rob, Paul and Rex- if you end up reading this and aren’t completely burnt out from riding, it would be an honor to show you around the Fairbanks trails. Although your matching 2023 Arctic Cats might intimidate my dinky 1992 Polaris, however, something tells me I’ll get over that. Maybe we can even dine on some classic Minnesotan tater tot hot dish. The three of you are an inspiration to myself and anybody who strives for adventure. Fairbanks is lucky you decided to end the trip here, I hope the three of you are showered with warm meals, cozy cabins, and memorable celebrations.
If you would like to follow their journey, you can check out their Facebook page, called “3 Old Guys ride to Alaska”.
If you are inclined to support their journey, you can donate at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/3oldguysride?fbclid=IwAR3aPxdvRC0xGKo-xNUCVO4Ltk3szBFzCecCdvHfOBKloeRabMZL292x1NU.