Swisha Loop 2018

Introduction

The Swisha Loop is 800 kilometers route thru the south western portion of the province of Quebec. It is considered to be an intermediate type of route with a loose gravel for experienced drivers in off-road and remote driving. Ensure that your family and friends are aware of your trip.

The length of the trip will be approximately 5 days, therefore please ensure you have enough food and water for that time, plus 1 more extra day in case of any emergency. This is not a trip for a first-time drivers or campers, so we expect you to know how to pack, store and plan food rations for such trips. You will be solely responsible for your food and water.

It is mandatory to have absolute minimum vehicle requirements in order to safely participate with the group. At the beginning of our journey we will be double checking all those items in your vehicle. Ensure your vehicle is well maintained. There is always a chance of having flat tire or damaging vehicle, be prepared.

Make sure you have enough cash in case if there is no credit machine available at the gas stations or local stores. There will be 3 ZEC (Zone d'exploitation contrôlée) check points that will require each person to pay around $5-15 to proceed the route and camp, please have the cash available.

You are expected to have common sense and leave no trace after you left camping spot.

Absolute Minimum Vehicle Requirments:
32” AT Tires
60 liters of fuel in fuel containers
First Aid Kit: Recommended to be as complete as is reasonably possible
Fire extinguisher
Shackle
Recovery strap rated for at least 15,000 lbs.
Front and rear recovery points
CB Radio & GMRS/FRS radio
Air Compressor
Spare tire, must be full spare with the same size/tread style



Recommended Vehicle Requirements

33” AT/MT tires
80 liters of fuel in fuel containers
Steel sliders
Aluminum or steel skid plates
Winch and knowledge how to use it
Traction boards
Axe/Saw/Shovel
Leather gloves and eye protection
Spare: fluids, belts, plug wires, parts
Tire gauge, tire patch kit, means to inflate tires
Tool kit / especially any special vehicle specific parts or tools
Winch Rags, Hand Cleaner, Litter Bags
Flashlight, Spare Batteries, Spare Vehicle Key



Cooking & Food:
Each time we stop overnight to camp, we will be setting up designated location for cooking away from the camp. It is essential not to cook near your sleeping area or trucks. Also, ensure your food is well sealed and does not produce any smell that will attract wild animals to a campsite.

Ensure you have at least 20L of drinkable water and enough dry food. If you plan on brining meat or any heat sensitive food, ensure your cooler can hold cold temperatures for the time being. Best would be to have 2 coolers, one for food another for all your drinks. There could be a ban on having open fire, so think about all possible situations that can happened during camping.

Camping Gear:

Each person should bring whatever works best for them while being outdoors, it is up to you, there could be chances of a wet ground or un-even surfaces, be ready for that if you plan on setting up the tent.

Bring warm clothes, bug sprays and other things that you should already know to take. Weather can be unpredicted, so be ready.

Details of the actual trip will be given to those that are going via PM. Any questions, please ask @NorilskSever@Joe23 or myself.

People still interested
1. @tacoma16
2. @Tridet167
3. @Joe23 (date permitting)
4. @NorilskSever
5. @Ttaco15
6. @llamasmurf
7. @Thyces
8. @Theicemedic

Im sure there will be more to add to this. I wanted to get a plan going so everyone who is interested could make the arrangements they needed.

Extra Info

Info about the swish loop
http://www.graveltravel.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25:ridamox&catid=1

When:
August 4th to the 9th. We are planning to have the 10th as a extra day for emergencies (extra time)

Adding this article from a group that did a modified route. Shows some of the vehicles and the route they took for anyone who is interested in a partial route or is concerned with there vehicle being capable enough.
http://www.outhereadventure.com/travel_page/driving-the-swisha-loop-in-quebec


Lastly
We will be closing the join date in July OR capping the amount of people to join at 8 vehicles. This will allow us to coordinate and figure out the routes and not have so many people that there is no room at camp or the trail takes longer.

Additionally, if you are on the list, and have not been added to the google doc please pm your email so I can add you. That document has a lot of information regarding the trip.

 

@Kemosabe

 

Okay so

Fuel. I'd say 10 gallons absolute *minimum* my 4cyl 5 speed access cab did it with only 6 extra but the double cab long bed in our group needed 15 and it was still nerve racking if we'd make it or not

Time. 4-5 days would be good. That leaves time for relaxing at camps and stopping to smell the roses.

Water and food. The only place to get supplies if you stay on the route for the loop is the town where the gas is around the 500km mark if doing the loop counter clockwise

Bring some cash for the Zec checkpoints.

This is a pretty remote loop. Make sure you are mentally prepared and don't be afraid of pinstripes. One section is/was severely overgrown. There is quite a bit of info/ pictures in mine and chux's thread the OP linked definitly check it out

 

I would love to do this! we will see how my build progresses next year

 

I may be interested not sure yet. Will need to see closer to the date how work is etc.

 

Sounds good everyone! Really appreciate the input @Wheelspinner.

Figured this would give some people to prepare or make arrangements for the trip.

 

looks like my back bumper might get ripped off sooner then I expected
I would need to know how certain the date is so I could book one of my weeks holidays haha
ill try to get as prepared as I can anyways, if I don't feel I'm well enough equipped well I'm sure it will happen again haha

 

what the fuck kinda trades company do you work for that you need to book haha.

Every electrical company I ever worked for its not book its just tell them you wont be there hahaha


My problem with it is I'm going to portugal in september next year so that might take up a lot of the funds for long trips like this.

 

Absolutely. The date it very flexible right now. I am personally aiming to do it in July sometime. Im hoping about a month out it will be confirmed so everyone can make arrangements.

Im sure there will be a bunch of more times. So there is always the next one.

 

hahaha not sure what to tell you bud. I'm not union and I'm on salary? I only get 2 weeks paid holidays a year unless this new bill gets passed then in 2018 ill get 3 weeks cuz ive been with this company 6 years.

 

If this is an open invite, I'd love to tag along (maybe bring another truck and a couple guys) for either the 2018 trip, or 2019. I have a giant family reunion / cruise in August '18 that's gonna chew up a big chunk of my PTO. Whenever we make it, we'd be starting in Rochester, NY and heading up through Cornwall Ont.

 

oh man, this looks like a blast. id have to get my stuff in order but i don't see why i couldn't have it done by next summer.

 

ah that's exactly why then man. Salary would make a big difference. For me its always been hourly even when I was non union so it didn't really matter.

 

how long of a trip would this be? If trail is 4-5 days figure what a whole 7 days off for travel time to quebec?

 

Looking at @Wheelspinner thread, looks like a high clearance rear is needed if you have that washout still lol

 

that's what I was thinking too haha maybe it got better? I doubt it lol unless locals happened to maybe make a bridge out of all the rocks laying around lol have to send in @Kemosabe on his ATV to do some looking

 

ya if a highclearance rear is needed there and there's no other bypass I might have to sit this out until I have one. Or will this be my excuse to brake my bumper and get one lol

 

lets break that bish off and make things exciting!!

 

I may be in! I saw @Wheelspinner 's thread a while ago and told myself I'd like to do it. Might be the time coming now!

About the washout and the big culvert, I have a buddy who is hunting in this area. I'll ask him to tell me if it has been repaired!

I am also kinda local to the start up and I rode my atv a few times in the first part. Beautiful places to visit!

About water, on the way, there is a lot of lake and rivers. Can always boil water and refill our reserves.

Bears and raccons will have to be kept in mind for food. It is also no secret that in July, the sun will hit hard, and up north, we may have to deal with black flies lol bring mosquito repellant and a net haha

Preapre yourself buddy! We might go together! If my boss can let me
go since I am the only surveyor in the business lol I'll have to get better tires tho, mine will be too worn by this time, and also maybe not strong enough

 

Or just rip that stock bumper in the swisha loop and call it a fun scar, and a really good reason to get an HC!