Did you sense a threat from humans on your Alaska trips?
You referenced it a bit in your post.
I took the fiancé there a few years back; we drove all over, and I got the definite sense that the state was populated with a lot of white trash folks who did not necessarily possess my law-abiding values.
A few times our spider senses tingled overtly because of rough dudes.
Well, I could go in to some detail with you on the direct chat which I’ve never used.
But, in my case, I am, at times, a hundred miles from ANYBODY and by myself. Before going downriver my first year, some “good” natives warned me. They said “Mr. T, approximately 4 guys per year go missing on the Yukon (2,200 miles long)” Some of our bad guys run into a lower 48 type like you “on the river” and they think cash and booze and stealing your boat. And, too often, somebody dies.
So, yes, I’m very careful and your assessment is largely correct.
For the record though, the First Nation folks I have encountered saved my butt several times and I think the world of all of them as a class of people. Like all classes though, there are some bad ones and being alone on the river my Remington 870 with triple ought buck magnum loads has one round in the chamber and off safety whenever anyone approaches me on the river. Fortunately, it’s all good so far.
At night, it never gets completely dark so that helps a lot.