Swisha Loop 2018

Third week sounds good. I'll throw Monday July 16th out there and see where everyone stands with scheduling. I know we have time but I would like to get a firm date in order to figure work schedule for the summer. What do ya'll think?

 

We need at least 4-5 days for this trip, mind that.
It will take 1 day to get there and another day to return, leaving 2-3 days to explore those 800KMs and enjoy the things without rushing anywhere.

 

I was planning a week for sure to enjoy and relax.

 

Same here, was going to take a full week off work. Leave early monday morning. Drive there do a little trail. Then take Tuesday Wednesday thursday and maybe friday to drive around then home Saturday. So 6 days, the guys said 3-4 days to smell the roses that did it previously.

Im good for any week really, just need a firm date.

 

Being in the week might not work for me, especially this week since I have my work vacation the week following and its always a rush the couple days before, but don't move the date before we know how many can or can't do it at this date.

 

Monday July 16 is in the OP. Thats a flexible date....

 

If I did it again I’d say 4 days for the loop minimum. We did it in 3 and it felt like we were qualifying for the Baja 1000

 

I will be scheduling my vacation around the date decided. So it does not matter to me. I will be taking the full 5 days off work as well.

 

Man - I wish I was going this year... :/

 

Also guys going from the US make sure your ducks are in a row for the border crossing. A pickup with some gear in the back might not raise any eyebrows but my crew had pretty setup trucks and we were “randomly selected” to be pulled to the side and fully searched. Also wash your truck before you leave Canada we weren’t allowed to reenter the US with the mud and dirt covering our trucks because of hoof and mouth disease regulations. They made us go back and wash our trucks

 

Can second this. I almost didn't get into the state when I went to pick up my flatbed because of the dirt. Save the time and keep it clean at the border.

 

I’ll put in a vote for either the week before or after the week of the 16th. I’m in my buddies wedding July 20th so that’ll be a busy week leading up to that.

 

Hi, I would love to go..... BUT I'm a real newbie. never really went offroad.
This is what I have:
4 runner trail edition in its stock form
general grabber AT
compressor and tire repair kit
camping gear

do you think I can make it wtihout slowing you guys down? I don't want to be a burden, but at the same time I think we need to start somewhere.

 

I was that guy on our last trip and I didn't mind hahaha ask @NorilskSever he can confirm! all depends what ur comfortable with, there a few vids kicking in here and there are a couple spots that look like they are going to be challenging. but I also have a DCLB so my approach and departure angles are terrible hahaha

 

Given the length of the trip and possible challenges I'm not sure I'd really consider this a newbie type thing.

Just speaking for myself but the large group is worrying me not just because of being slowed down but people just not being prepared. Ie enough food, water, fuel, recovery gear and proper camping gear to deal with whatever weather comes.

Not trying to be a dick and by no means can I or anyone technically control who comes or goes. But you might be better off starting on a shorter trip and possibly easier trail for your first few times.


Not even directed to you but I'm general I'm considering not going if it's a big group because I don't want to need to be bailing unprepared people out. Nor do I feel like having a trail that's supposed to be 4 days take 6 because someone isn't experienced enough.

By all means we've all been there and I'm not against helping guys out or doing a newbie type run, just do not think this is something to do that on.

A weekend trip to Minden or ardbeg would be much better for that. Not a week long trip.

 

I agree with Joe, this is not the adventure to go on for the 1st time off road. This is going to require a lot of gear, and some experience to accomplish on the time frame laid out.

 

And that was a trail that can be completed in 6-8 hours take 11 lol.

Personally I don't think long trips are good for just starting out.
But regardless I'm not organizing this nor can I really dictate who can and cannot go on a public trail lol. But if I'm not comfortable with the numbers and experience of said group I might just sit this one out as I don't want to be on a trip and have it be a bad experience.

Not even wheeling but I've been there before camping where guys didn't bring appropriate gear for the conditions or enough food and water. It's a really shitty place to be because you'd usually only carry what you need and not what others need but you try to be a good person and help them out leading to you be thirsty and/or hungry.

 

Figure if you don't have a fridge your meals should be based in dry goods and not perishables.

I remember going camping once with some friends who also brought other friends. Some with no experience thinking chicken or hamburgers that have been in a cheap Coleman cooler with no ice left will still be good after 3 days. The cooler stunk and food was obviously bad by that time.

 

yeah I can totally see now how a big group can slow things down. honestly as much as I would love to go on this trip I probably wont. i've spent all my money getting my truck ready that I wont have all the gear I would like to have with me going on this trip. we will see if I manage to get said items, but I have other things going on this summer that take priority. I much prefer being prepared for a trip like this. I need to beef up my camping gear and recovery gear game for sure. but if the trip goes well I am hoping for there to be another one next year that I can go on and be better prepared for. plus its not far for me anyways so really me and @Kemosabe could go any time even if its not for the whole loop hahaha

 

Ya man completly understandable.

Figure I've been updating my camping gear all winter from new much better quality sleeping bag, hammock, camp shower even just clothing etc.

I just started camping again lasr year all my gear was old so I've updated a lot of it and in no ways close to cheap gear.
Figure my new bag is on the cheaper side from MEC but at the same time is still probably twice the price of a nice one at Canadian tire.

I used to go to Algonquin and other parks backpacking all the time and now with the truck into this . By all means understand if others aren't ready or in the position to spend the amounts.

It's no different than modding the truck. Some might not know if they will stick to wheeling etc so it might be harder to justify say $5k+ on suspension and I totally understand that and it's fine. But not something for a long trip.

Figure if it rains a lot would someone be prepared for it etc? Even if it's the summer and warm a wet tent and sleeping bag won't keep you warm even if it's 15-18 overnight.
And for some of us it's not like we're close to home. You figure for all of us in the GTA it's at least 5-6 hours home if we want to bail. And from what I understand portions of this are not easy to bail from. Like you might not have enough fuel to turn back so you have to press on forward.