Cancelled for 2020 Vancouver BC to Tuktoyaktuk trip - planning

[rgallant]

Due to health issues with my wife's mom (not Covid related just old age) I have to cancel this, I can not be away from home for any extended time.



At the moment this is very theoretical,but Andrew Goh has expressed an interest in trying this trip again. So I figure why not make a plan and see what kind of time and cost would be involved.

I will update this as my plan continues, but I am thinking 20- 25 days in the end.

Updates 6/Apr/2020

I am keeping an eye of border closures in the NWT and Yukon - will keep this updated.

Currently the Yukon Nunavut and NWT are functionally closed to non residents

Date ranges from early/mid June to Mid Sept
Current plan 15 Aug to 6 Sept - this is adaptable at this point to peoples schedules

Time frame : Leave Early to Mid August - Return needs to be no later than mid Sept

Current Interested parties

DiscoSlice - Jon
bsa_m21 - Martin, looking for a seat I have one open
BjornErickson Bjorn
swamijake - 110 +1
Andrew Goh - Disco II
Richard - Disco II

Updates end

A few basics:

• Total distance 7821 Km or about 4860 miles round trip
  Estimated fuel cost for a Disco V8 $3030.00 based on fuel running $1.55 /liter and an average range of 400 KM. Far better to guess high on this one.
  Number of days on the road 20 - based on 7 hour driving days averaging 70 Kph. That factors in gas, bio, and fuel breaks and 2 days cushion - stuff happens
  Sat phone rental 300.00 for 30 days this would be split between the trucks

Vehicle load:

• Dry food for the trip everything gets brutally expensive the further north you go
  Discos 40 liter to 60 liters of spare fuel on board
  2 full sized spares - ideally mounted
  Some basic spares: belt, rad hoses,fuses,coil packs
  Tools - basic tool roll to deal with small repairs
  Other - Duct tape, Seals All, self tapping screws, some sheet aluminum and sheers.
  Fluids - oil, AF, I need transfer case gear oil I have a leak and might have to top up.
  Bear spray is a must
  Bug spray is a must
  Lots of fresh water - I carry 5 gals
  Clothes for 3 weeks - covering both warm and cold

Time is the killer for trip like this, if I was not newly unemployed it would be very iffy. I was scheduled for the trip north last year my employer would not give me the time off, with 4 months notice. My wife is ok with it as long as there is at least one other truck,something about my age and her nerves

Currently working the return trip, there are a few things to consider, for both ways really but more so on the return. I do not think this should be a "power" drive, just get from Vancouver to Tuk and back as fast as possible, you need tourist time.

That means stopping:

• At odd little stores and sites along the way
  To take pictures and enjoy the scenery where opportunities present
  Place like Dawson city or other tourist type spots
  Or just staying over someplace to rest and regroup

You need to have a plan, but it needs to be flexible with in reason. Ideally I prefer making the the longer stops on the way home it slows the rush to get home and you are closer each day, giving more opportunity take your time.

[rgallant]

Basic day to day up done, this is not a hard push and will take about 7-9 days

Note there is not a lot of Tourist time indicated depending on the group that may add a several days to the trip. That will be decided among the group if this ends up being a go. The return will be much slower.
As well once past Dawson City travel times are going to depend on road conditions as the indicated times being largely best case so more time may be required.

Day 1 - 2 possible routes up the Fraser Canyon - faster or up the Sea to Sky Highway more scenic, but greater chance of getting caught behind slow movers.
Camping off one of the forest service roads

https://i.imgur.com/XK01Ver.png

Day 2 Quesnel to Kitwanga area

Camping at Kitwancool Lake not many spots but this likely going to be a small group

https://i.imgur.com/ikPR7gZ.png

Day 3 Kitiwanga to Dease Lake

Camping along Dease Lake

https://i.imgur.com/gCoavq7.png

Day 4 Dease Lake to Whitehorse - this might be a hotel night get a shower and cleaned up - otherwise camping.

https://i.imgur.com/NP6fIC6.png

Day 5 Whitehorse to Dawson city then on to the Dempster this is a longer day about 8.5 hours this also an optional stay over point adding a day
Camping at Chapman Lake

https://i.imgur.com/rdpsc5W.png

Day 6 Another longer day Chapman Lake to Ft. Macpherson 8.5 hours we can stop along the way at Eagle Plains if required

https://i.imgur.com/ECUYy2Y.png

Day 7 Ft Macpherson to Tuk. A couple of things on this stretch there is a ferry that can delay you for hours or days. Rain also dramatically slows you down.

So Inuvik is the the mid point stop if required.

https://i.imgur.com/1sqAmdf.png

[HeadDamage]

Having done this before I'd suggest going in late Aug/early Sept, less bugs, more color, more norther lights.

[rgallant]

@headdamage thanks for the feedback, bugs can make things miserable for sure.

[swamijake]

I've been eying this trip for a while and could be a possible second truck.

[BjornErickson]

I'm definitely interested in this trip.

[rgallant]

Ok noted there is interest, so I will firm up the return route plan and get some dates together.

For those interested what kind of tourist stuff is of interest, I like tiny little out of the way stuff/second hand stores.
Fishing is good by me but mostly by planning night stops at lakes

[bsa_m21]

I’m interested too. Hey Jake, need a co-pilot?

[rgallant]

Well that went from theoretical fast :)

So let's start with getting dates sorted I am thinking leaving 15 August returning no later than 6 Sept that works out to 23 days that should be a good amount of time so we do not have to rush. My current estimates are about 19 days round trip that gives us 4 days of wiggle room if looks to be too tight I may have to add a day on either end.

I am planning for a 1 day layover on the way back in the Dawson City area, this will be for a good day of vehicle maintenance and touristing around Dawson City after running the Dempster both ways. Just to check everything is tight and solid on everyone trucks and address any issues that may of come up.

I will monitor access etc in light of current events, this is currently not a club event.

[DiscoSlice]

I feel it’s worth mentioning that I know of a group of Rover guys headed to Tuk. The timing is different but I feel like it would be worth at least an attempt to line these two trips up.

6E27E6E0-92D9-4C73-B6CC-46AC5E12AAD7.png

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I plan on joining him for whatever chunk I can find time for.

I’d like to join this trip as well! Gotta plant that money tree now though.

[rgallant]

@DiscoSlice June is pretty early, I would be more worried about the border being open, of course given the state of things even this trip could be iffy. That looks like a pretty hard fast run, 3 weeks to cover all that ground.

Do you have a link to them ?

[rgallant]

Interested folks can you post what you would be driving, or if you just need a seat and if the dates do not work what would.

[rgallant]

Updated 1st post with possible date ranges

[DiscoSlice]

His plans are not locked in and certainly up in the air with the current events. I’ve asked him to come and join this convo.

[rgallant]

@DiscoSlice - excellent

[swamijake]

I'll be driving my 85 110. Timing is flexible for me. Pretty sure my passenger seat is spoken for.

[swamijake]

We won't be doing this: https://laughingsquid.com/truck-drives- ... ozen-lake/

[swamijake]

I put the above maps into google earth for those so inclined, not sure how to upload a kmz. Board doesn't like it, but if you'd like it send me a PM.

[rgallant]

Update:

Current border closures

Northwest Territories

"To limit the spread of COVID-19, visitors are not allowed entry into the N.W.T.," according to the government's website.
Nunavut residents travelling through and who need to stay overnight must stay in their accommodations until leaving and practise self-isolation during that time. If they are sick, they must not travel into the Northwest Territories — or immediately go into self-isolation if they get sick.
Essential workers are exempted from the entry restrictions but must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.

Yukon

Any person entering Yukon will be stopped by an enforcement officer, required to fill out an information form detailing travel plans, including details such as phone number and planned stops.
Non-residents who must transit through Yukon to Alaska or Northwest Territories or another part of Canada may do so but can only stay in Yukon for no more than 24 hours. Meanwhile, travellers into the territory, including residents, must self isolate for 14 days except for those providing critical services.

Nunavut

In Nunavut, travel that originated from across any interjurisdictional border is prohibited, and only residents and critical workers are permitted inside. However, returning residents must complete a 14-day self-isolation period in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton or Yellowknife. They will need a clearance letter from the respective health officer of that city that authorizes them to return to Nunavut.

[swamijake]

Well we can still plan around the end of August. If the whole place is still on lock down we can find some BC alternative destination.

[rgallant]

@swanijake that is my thought, I think we should be okay then. But I know folks have plan the time away so there is a point we re-work. I have some ideas for in BC travel - sort of a north then back south route.

[swamijake]

So, I'm still planning on heading out in a couple weeks, is anyone else feeling the need to go North?

[rgallant]

For me it is no go the universe is not going my way

[swamijake]

Sorry to hear that. I'm still planning on heading north. It looks like NWT wants all people arriving to isolate for 14 days in one of the main towns. I'm going to see if I can just camp the whole time, isolating from all towns.

Yukon doesn't have any restrictions on people coming from BC.

[acg]

Jake,

I am sorry, this trip is not going to be in the books for me this year. My family and I have too many things going on with the COVID situation and work, including 3 kids at home. All the best on your trip!