Whipsaw 4x4 wknd overnight - wknd of Sept 10-12
Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:56 pm
I intend to go back to the Whipsaw and explore the last 30 kms more thoroughly this time.
I know that a couple of people have expressed interest. This is the thread.
*UPDATE*
The consensus is falling on the weekend of Sept10-12 rain or shine. Note: wet conditions mean mud and harder trails.
Coordinates and map will be posted, but here's the general plan:
- The first meeting spot will be the EastGate Diner on Friday afternoon. Meet time TBD, probably mid-afternoon. We'll leave a few printed maps here for the stragglers. You should top up your diesel here. They can refill propane, too.
- We've got a couple of known camp sites in mind, will select one closer to the date based on weather conditions (i.e. altitude). This will be the Friday evening meet spot for those who leave later Friday/early Saturday. We'll be at this location from 6PM to 9AM.
- A third meeting point, well up trail, will be our Saturday afternoon lunch spot. This is also where we'll leave the coordinates of our Saturday night camp location for the stragglers.
Suggestions...
Gear up, Fuel up, Buddy up:
It would be good if you can plan to pair up with someone who has recovery equipment, radios, gps, extra diesel - or, if you have that on board, buddy up with someone who doesn't.
The point of having maps and meeting points is that we can split up and explore without losing each other. We will also have a much better chance of seeing wildlife this way. Last weekend a small group in a pickup truck alone saw bear, wolf, and more. With our noisy diesel convoy we saw nothing but cattle.
Dress for cold weather, especially at night. Campfire bans make it unlikely we'll get to sit by a cozy fire - more likely a portable bbq. Expect rain, its almost inevitable - even if it comes and goes in an hour. Bring extra water and food.
Kids: Bring em! There are already at least one or two bringing their school-age boys. Obviously this is a wildlife area and little ones that look like prey need to stay close to the adults in camp.
Wives/Girlfriends: There's no getting around the fact that this kind of weekend is mostly men. If yer lady knows how to roll with the boys, bring her along!
Truck Condition, fuel: remember we are going up in the mountains. Its cooler and the weather changes fast. The truck is literally going to idle higher from the altitude. I'm no expert, but unheated veggie oil might not be the best choice of fuel for this. Its A Good Idea to give your truck a proper looking over and under before the weekend. Last weekend, my fuel filter failed and spilled diesel all over the street, the morning after we got back from Whipsaw. If that had happened in the mountains...
We could tow you out to the highway if we had to... but an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure.
If you are interested in coming, please post on the thread and toss me a message too please: radagenais at gmail dot com. Please include your phone number.
I know that a couple of people have expressed interest. This is the thread.
*UPDATE*
The consensus is falling on the weekend of Sept10-12 rain or shine. Note: wet conditions mean mud and harder trails.
Coordinates and map will be posted, but here's the general plan:
- The first meeting spot will be the EastGate Diner on Friday afternoon. Meet time TBD, probably mid-afternoon. We'll leave a few printed maps here for the stragglers. You should top up your diesel here. They can refill propane, too.
- We've got a couple of known camp sites in mind, will select one closer to the date based on weather conditions (i.e. altitude). This will be the Friday evening meet spot for those who leave later Friday/early Saturday. We'll be at this location from 6PM to 9AM.
- A third meeting point, well up trail, will be our Saturday afternoon lunch spot. This is also where we'll leave the coordinates of our Saturday night camp location for the stragglers.
Suggestions...
Gear up, Fuel up, Buddy up:
It would be good if you can plan to pair up with someone who has recovery equipment, radios, gps, extra diesel - or, if you have that on board, buddy up with someone who doesn't.
The point of having maps and meeting points is that we can split up and explore without losing each other. We will also have a much better chance of seeing wildlife this way. Last weekend a small group in a pickup truck alone saw bear, wolf, and more. With our noisy diesel convoy we saw nothing but cattle.
Dress for cold weather, especially at night. Campfire bans make it unlikely we'll get to sit by a cozy fire - more likely a portable bbq. Expect rain, its almost inevitable - even if it comes and goes in an hour. Bring extra water and food.
Kids: Bring em! There are already at least one or two bringing their school-age boys. Obviously this is a wildlife area and little ones that look like prey need to stay close to the adults in camp.
Wives/Girlfriends: There's no getting around the fact that this kind of weekend is mostly men. If yer lady knows how to roll with the boys, bring her along!
Truck Condition, fuel: remember we are going up in the mountains. Its cooler and the weather changes fast. The truck is literally going to idle higher from the altitude. I'm no expert, but unheated veggie oil might not be the best choice of fuel for this. Its A Good Idea to give your truck a proper looking over and under before the weekend. Last weekend, my fuel filter failed and spilled diesel all over the street, the morning after we got back from Whipsaw. If that had happened in the mountains...
We could tow you out to the highway if we had to... but an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure.
If you are interested in coming, please post on the thread and toss me a message too please: radagenais at gmail dot com. Please include your phone number.
