Long Weekend on the Whipsaw
Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 10:56 am
I decided to go up and meet with some of the Redneck brothers who wanted to do the Whipsaw.
Some of the group left on Friday Morning and went to Wells Lake, while the two trucks from N.Van weren't leaving until 5pm on Friday. I left on Friday from Deep Cove at 2pm and finally got to Princeton at 7:00pm :shock: ...traffic was heavy all the way to Hope. :roll: Did see Ray and his crew on the highway and we gave each other the "LANDY WAVE".
I was able to leave detailed instructions for the two N.Van trucks and they were going to meet me at Lodestone, late Friday evening. I also connected with Pete and Andy who were leaving Saturday morning and we would either hook up at Lodestone or somewhere on the trail.
Friday night came and went and I waited until 11am on Saturday for the N.Van guys and Pete and Andy...I left them a note on the Lodestone sign and headed off to Wells lake. Although there were alot...I repeat "alot" of trucks on the trail, I made it solo to Wells Lake without running into another truck on the trail. My new 110 performed flawlessly...even though I was a little apprehensive about going alone.
The new ATV bridge is still operational and I did see some tracks on it...as well as some fresh tracks in the meadows :evil:
http://www3.telus.net/shade/Rover/DSC_0008x.jpg
Rolled into Wells around 2:30ish to a "frickin" parking lot...lots of drunk kids, loud music, and chainsaws roaring :evil: :evil: Finally found the Rednecks campsite and parked and chatted with an older fellow Ron from the island who knew all the original Rover guys of 30 years ago. The Group finally showed up around dinner. The 2 N.Van trucks decided to go in from the highway to Wells and although got close finally slept in their trucks at 2:30am hooking up with the group at Wells Saturday morning.
Had a wonderful dinner and campfire with them Saturday night...expecting Andy and Pete to show up imminently. Next thing we know it starts to drizzle then a full on hail storm followed by a snow storm of big fluffy flakes.
http://www3.telus.net/shade/Rover/DSC_0017x.jpg
Needless to say it was sack time. Lucky for me, I had my -12 bag and a big warm 100lb dog "Rudy" to keep me nice and toasty warm in my tent.
Next morning I waited until around 11ish for Pete and Andy, but alas it was time for me to continue on, as I wanted to be home Sunday evening. Said my goodbyes and headed south on virgin untracked snow towards the highway entrance.
http://www3.telus.net/shade/Rover/DSC_0020x.jpg
I ran into a 3 trucks coming in, 12 dirt bikers and 3 horse-riders on the way out. Other than taking a wrong line :oops: on the bumps section (had to back up and try again) I made it all the way through stopping for the occasional photo op and pee break for Rudy.
http://www3.telus.net/shade/Rover/DSC_0023x.jpg
Finally got to the highway and headed for home...once again seeing Ray headed home (although) not sure if he saw me this time....I did wave however.
It was a great run, but lesson learned "don't try and meet up on the trail"...do this before and go up together. :idea:
Some of the group left on Friday Morning and went to Wells Lake, while the two trucks from N.Van weren't leaving until 5pm on Friday. I left on Friday from Deep Cove at 2pm and finally got to Princeton at 7:00pm :shock: ...traffic was heavy all the way to Hope. :roll: Did see Ray and his crew on the highway and we gave each other the "LANDY WAVE".
I was able to leave detailed instructions for the two N.Van trucks and they were going to meet me at Lodestone, late Friday evening. I also connected with Pete and Andy who were leaving Saturday morning and we would either hook up at Lodestone or somewhere on the trail.
Friday night came and went and I waited until 11am on Saturday for the N.Van guys and Pete and Andy...I left them a note on the Lodestone sign and headed off to Wells lake. Although there were alot...I repeat "alot" of trucks on the trail, I made it solo to Wells Lake without running into another truck on the trail. My new 110 performed flawlessly...even though I was a little apprehensive about going alone.
The new ATV bridge is still operational and I did see some tracks on it...as well as some fresh tracks in the meadows :evil:
http://www3.telus.net/shade/Rover/DSC_0008x.jpg
Rolled into Wells around 2:30ish to a "frickin" parking lot...lots of drunk kids, loud music, and chainsaws roaring :evil: :evil: Finally found the Rednecks campsite and parked and chatted with an older fellow Ron from the island who knew all the original Rover guys of 30 years ago. The Group finally showed up around dinner. The 2 N.Van trucks decided to go in from the highway to Wells and although got close finally slept in their trucks at 2:30am hooking up with the group at Wells Saturday morning.
Had a wonderful dinner and campfire with them Saturday night...expecting Andy and Pete to show up imminently. Next thing we know it starts to drizzle then a full on hail storm followed by a snow storm of big fluffy flakes.
http://www3.telus.net/shade/Rover/DSC_0017x.jpg
Needless to say it was sack time. Lucky for me, I had my -12 bag and a big warm 100lb dog "Rudy" to keep me nice and toasty warm in my tent.
Next morning I waited until around 11ish for Pete and Andy, but alas it was time for me to continue on, as I wanted to be home Sunday evening. Said my goodbyes and headed south on virgin untracked snow towards the highway entrance.
http://www3.telus.net/shade/Rover/DSC_0020x.jpg
I ran into a 3 trucks coming in, 12 dirt bikers and 3 horse-riders on the way out. Other than taking a wrong line :oops: on the bumps section (had to back up and try again) I made it all the way through stopping for the occasional photo op and pee break for Rudy.
http://www3.telus.net/shade/Rover/DSC_0023x.jpg
Finally got to the highway and headed for home...once again seeing Ray headed home (although) not sure if he saw me this time....I did wave however.
It was a great run, but lesson learned "don't try and meet up on the trail"...do this before and go up together. :idea:
