Fires, Tires, n Bears EH? OOH YEEYYAAHH!-Trip Report

Great trip report! Can't wait to see the rest of it.

 

Working on Chapter two now. Was hoping to get it done today but I can't stay up all night tonight as i have to get up early so may not happen..

 

Fires, Tires, n Bears Eh?

Chapter 2: Dust n Smoke​

The next morning as we finished packing up the trucks. I remembered the section of road by camp being quiet fun to romp over. So I offered up Frankenstein to the group.


“Who wants to drive Frank?” I said.


Everyone did..


So they all took turns romping around in Frankenstein, abusing him and enjoying the front suspension. But everyone had their complaints too. But I didn't care, far as I was concerned all their rig where built wrong and mine was right


While Mike and I lined up for a Crawl off race, Timmy set off over the bumps in his own rig.


IMG_0226 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr


“Im pretty sure my shit is 90% as smooth as Montes bucket of bolts” claimed Timmy.


“Oh bullshit! Lets go for a ride man! Let me drive!” I responded.


“No” was all he said.


Fair enough..


Mike and I continued with the crawl off race. The rules are simple. Line up the trucks, put them into 4lo and 1st gear. Then dump the clutch or let of the brake and get out and stand on the sliders. Slowest truck wins! pretty fun race and makes for interesting results when you thrown in different tire sizes as well as aftermarket differential gearing.


Needless to say I won, but just barely. 5.29s and 35s is close vs 4.88s and 33s.


I floored it in celebration!


IMG_0229 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

But we needed to actually start covering some miles and set off back on the WABDR track continuing north.

The land was becoming more and more scared from previous fires. I can only imagine what some of the areas look like now that we drove through.

FTnBE?.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Before long we took a slight detour to a nice overlook. And there it was. The haunting yet very obvious huge clouds of smoke impeding out view. It made everything seem, dreary. Even though it was a nice day. There was no denying that the fires where close by now.

The view was still rather pleasant though, and it was scramble to get out on the edge of the overlook.

FTnBE?-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IMG_0239 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

There is something about being on the edge of high cliff overlooks to me that is just intoxicating. I could sit there and just look out into the wild mountains for hours. I don't know if its the realization of just how vast our world is, or how small and nearly insignificant we are. There is just something about being up high and looking down of the world. Like your an overseer of the world itself. Watching to see it play out.

It is very peaceful and calming.

IMG_9799 by mike digirat, on Flickr

Sadly, if I sat there for hours my colleges would just push me off at some point or leave me. So we set off. Parking had been a bit cramped and there was only one way in or out. Plus a large sink hole. So naturally a few of us drove into it.

FTnBE?-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IMG_9801 by mike digirat, on Flickr
IMG_9810 by mike digirat, on Flickr

And we got back onto the main road.

IMG_0246 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr
FTnBE?-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Although not for very long. As we stopped at another rather pleasant overlook spot, Timmy announced yet another issue.

“My resi has fall off the front. Anyone have any zip ties?” he asked.

“You bet! Coming right up” I replied.

So as we dug out parts and let Timmy have his way with C'Bob's front resi, we all enjoyed the smokey scenery.

IMG_0257 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr
IMG_9821 by mike digirat, on Flickr
FTnBE?-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IMG_9817 by mike digirat, on Flickr
IMG_0261 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

A couple of beefy well placed zip ties later, and C'Bob was road worthy again. We drove until once again the trees would allow us a lovely view. Plus quiet a few rocky ledge to pose on for...science...

IMG_0268 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr
FTnBE?.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
FTnBE?-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
FTnBE?-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We took the opportunity to do some climbing around. Or rather Ben and I did.

FTnBE?-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
FTnBE?-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IMG_9837 by mike digirat, on Flickr
FTnBE?-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IMG_9840 by mike digirat, on Flickr

Upon my return everyone was in deep discussion about...something I don't honestly remember.

FTnBE?-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

So since we had wasted so much time anyways we decided to eat lunch here before moving on.

IMG_0275 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

After lunch we took a slightly different route from the normal WABDR route. We took NF-9712 to 711/Wenatchee Mountain RD/ Mission Ridge RD/ Squilchuck Rd. Who the hell names those roads seriously? A road with three names??

Anyways.

We also stopped at Beehive reservoir to enjoy a little water time, but the lake water did not appear very inviting so we just drove on.

IMG_9859 by mike digirat, on Flickr
FTnBE?-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We headed into the town of Wenatchee to top off the tanks again. To get back to the WABDR we took Number 2 Canyon Rd and Peavine Canyon Rd.

Which..was SO WORTH IT!

This was so much fun to drive through. The road was smooth and fast. The trees weren't too thick. But the best part was the drain ditches. Perfect whoop jumps.

Did I say I wouldn't jump the truck?

Whoops..

IMG_0298 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

But I wasn't the only one enjoying these. Timmy Ben and I had a blast popping up over these things.

IMG_0293 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr
FTnBE?-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
FTnBE?-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
FTnBE?-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
FTnBE?-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Sadly the road was short. And the road had also revealed the true nature of what dusty means.

FTnBE?-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This shit was awful. It hung in the air like a thick fog. Driving with the windows down was barely an option anymore. Really it wasn't. But I love driving with them down so this meant waiting and waiting for the people in front to get out ahead. Soon we where all so spread out our CB radios where not really up to the task. Relaying messages became standard, often hilariously over repeated for some who listen to their music a touch too loud *cough*Mike*cough*

Once at the bottom of the valley though we drove up to rejoin the WABDR on NF-7100

FTnBE?-31.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
FTnBE?-32.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I still was amazed at all the old man's beard moss everywhere. Was so green here.

FTnBE?-33.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Before long we where once again riding the ridge tops. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Though the smoke was a still there, ominous and growing ever more present the further north we got. It wasn't enough to stop us from pulling off to every peak summit we could find.

IMG_0302 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr
FTnBE?-41.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IMG_9872x by mike digirat, on Flickr
FTnBE?-40.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
FTnBE?-44.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After taking that in we hit the dirt to hunt for a campsite as it was getting later in the afternoon.

FTnBE?-46.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We finished the road and ended up in Ardenvoir. By now it was getting the point where Mike would have slept on the side of the road as long as we all fit. NF-5310 had a spot though big enough for us all.

Devin and I where fed up with the damn dust though. Our hair was awful. Out came the portable shower which I was excited to try out as I had never gotten too. Its an old 5 gal beer keg from my dad when he was into home brewing. I made some hose adapters to allow my old Vair piss ant little air compressor hook to it and a sink head. Hooked it all up and bam! Pressurized water! Worked amazing and made us both feel much better and refreshed.

IMG_9879 by mike digirat, on Flickr

We spent the evening poking fun at timmy and Mike for being the trucks to cause problems this year around the fire.

FTnBE?.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The next morning was a quiet morning. One of those morning where the radio chatter is low and everyone just kind of keeps to themselves and relish the moment.

And not have to interact with the same 5 people you've had to for the last 5 days straight. We all need breaks.

It was a nice relaxing morning as we ate up the miles.

IMG_0314 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

Ahhhh...peaceful..

That was until Chris shattered the serenity..

“So yea, I just blew a tire guys!” sounding almost happy about it.

“Well shit” I said.

“HAHA! The Maypops finally Popped!” jeered Ben.

Honestly we were all pretty surprised they had lasted this long with the way Chris had been flogging his stock truck to keep up with the group. The stock tire had finally seen its last day on the trail..

FTnBE?-47.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
FTnBE?-48.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IMG_0315 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

Either way, the way we saw it. Flat tire is eaassssyyy. We all admitted that we would rather have a flat tire then any of the other crap we are now accustomed too.

Out came the Hi lift and we had the tire swap in a matter of minutes.

FTnBE?-49.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
IMG_0319 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

Happy it was just a tire, we continued towards lake Chelan where we encounter more..whoops..

IMG_0123 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr
IMG_0128 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

The fire's became very real here as we hit the fire fighters head on as we approached the lake. There was a huge camp here and we even met guys on the road directing traffic. They where getting ready to close the road we had just come down. The smoke was thick here.

Sadly no photos of this as we moved along quickly to stay out of their way.

As we refueled at a gas station, we saw 3 outfitted jeeps drive by in the direction we where headed. Certain we would meet them at some point we ate lunch and got back on the road.

Sure enough, about an hour later we caught up to them as they were airing down. We all slowed down to a nice pace but the dust was still a bit bad. Once we where all by them,

“Dude wtf, not a single one waved to me!” said Timmy.

“haha I know! I just got a bunch of glares” said Ben.

“Its a jeep thing, we wouldn't understand” I teased.

We all chuckled and kept driving the dust worse then ever before.

IMG_0328 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr
IMG_0331 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr
IMG_0338 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr

Eventually we came to a nice overlook. The smoke still as present as ever.

IMG_0320 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr
IMG_0323 by Benjamin Springli, on Flickr
IMG_9881 by mike digirat, on Flickr

Once again, we took the moment to get the the high ground. Something about it is just intriguing to us..

IMG_9895 by mike digirat, on Flickr

From here we continued down to Twisp where we aired up to drive up to Mazama. Mike has family there with a lovely cabin. Which for us meant a nice shower.

Its still overlanding even if its in the front yard of a cabin right? Haha

FTnBE?-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
FTnBE?-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
FTnBE?-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This was a bittersweet night as it was both Ben's and Chris' last night with us. Ben couldn't take his puppy Venice into Canada with out vaccinations and she was to young to even get them. Chris just could take off another week and had one hell of a long drive back home. We spend the night throwing around ideas on the next place to visit. Ultimately not able to agree on anything especially the three of us that still had over a week of exploring left.

So we resorted to taunting them about how much cool stuff they where going to miss.

But all good things must come to an end and we all melted away into our tents eventually. Happy to be clean and dust free for the moment.

I went to bed very excited. Because tomorrow, we would be in Canada. Taking on the one and only..

Whipsaw trail.

Bring it.

To be Continued..
Chapter 3: Out for Rip Eh?​

 

nice report and pics, thanks for sharing.

 

Great report and great pictures!

If you don't mind me asking, what camera are you running?

 

Good Times!

All of the photographs in the report were taken on Canon equipment. Monte uses a 60d, mines is a 50d and Ben is using a T1 I think.

 

Mike beat me too it but here is a bit more defined list.

We shoot Canon gear. Although, nothing super special.

Mikes setup: 50D shooting mainly a 10-22mm f/3.5 and occasionally a 28-135mm

Bens setup: T2i with a 10-18mm f/4.5, 50mm f/1.8, Tamoron 100-300mm occasionally.

Mine: 60D 18-135mm f/3.5, 10-18mm /f4.5, and 50mm f/1.8 occasionally.

Nothing super awesome. But we know how to use them as we have owned them for a while.

 

Thanks!

Thanks for the info! I have been looking to get a good DSLR after the first of the year, so wanted to see what people shoot on.

 

Yea Id say it's more how you use it then anything. But we all would loved to upgrade

 

As long as I can do some good trail shooting and also be able to do timelapse and long exposure, then it will work for me. I feel like I would use a camera and take more pictures with it rather than forgetting like I normally do when it comes to my iPhone.

 

Monte, great start to the trip report. Looking forward to the next chapter.

 

Can do that stuff with a lot of cameras. Just takes extra gear and lots of practice.

Thanks!

 

Holy crap.... all those photos!! Wow.

 

Finally caught up! Great pics you guys for Chapter 3.

 

Moved Chapter 3 to page 3

 

This one is a bit wordy, sorry. Thought i could do this in just 2 more chapters, but i lied. Going to be 5 total.

Enjoy!

 

Great report as always! Bump, to get this to another page before your next update. Two updates on one page got my slow phone to not load a lot of pictures.

 

Damn that's a good chapter! Some amazing pics you guys have too. Gotta say that's the 2nd time Jeeps didn't interact with you guys. I guess you're right Monte, it's a Jeep thing we wouldn't understand

 

Hey man, you do your thing! I stumbled onto one of your write ups of a different trip and now I keep an eye out for your reports. I found this one and was bummed out when there was only two chapters but I got excited when I noticed there was more to come. Your writing, along with the pictures, is like a movie in my head! Keep up the good work!

 

"Ooh so yer owut fer a rip on the whhipsaw eh?”.....I love it! good work so far Monte!