BASECAMP 06.21.18 ... " Planning for Up North 2018 "

           I thought it might be interesting to document planning for this adventure. 

The process began in October 2017; approximately 9 months prior to our departure from Ontario, in July 2018 ...

" What is the effort required to plan for ... a 3 month trip that entails driving about 7,000 kilometres (one way) across much of Canada, involving 4 couples, using different methods, routes and schedules to rendez-vous in Whitehorse YT? All are travelling west from southern Ontario to as far north as Tuktoyaktuk on the Beaufort Sea in NWT. The trip includes a couple of different activities in fairly remote landscapes, each of those requiring as much as a 2 - 3 week commitment. "

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For this adventure, our group has chosen the name ... 

TEAM     FOUR     DEGREES

So, by way of introduction and in no particular order, WE Are ...

Katherine and Boyd - Hiking: August 2016, Salmon Glacier BC CANADA

Bryan and DM - Mountain Biking: Winter 2017, Mt. Lemon, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Peg and Tom -  Showering: January 25, 2018, Patara Elephant Farm, Chiang Ma, THAILAND

Dann and Helen - Caving: 2017, Te-Anau Caves, Paparoa NP, NEW ZEALAND

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A CALENDAR and Some PLANNING

Social Media
October 2017
The Facebook group Up North 2018 was created. 

The group will allow members to share information, make plans, ask questions and give answers. Eventually, the group was opened up to all members of the Canadian Truck Camper Owners Group. Given the number of members from that FB group that will be travelling to the area this season, it was not surprising that many joined ... and made their own plans for travels to the Canadian north in 2018. Hope to see some of you 'Up There'.

LT Foot " If you can read this."
RT Foot "Bring me some wine."

Early Discussion
November 14 - 15, 2017
A paddlers' meeting was held at the Elmhirst's Resort, Keene ON: discussion, general schedule, personal and group responsibilities, skills and skill levels, gear requirements. 

Thanks to Bryan, for suggesting the locale.

The Gals ... Katherine, DM, Peggy and Helen ... wearing their 'team socks' (gifted by Katherine).

Clockwise: Boyd   Katherine   DM   Peggy   Helen   Dann   Tom

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A CANOE TRIP

on  the  TESLIN  and  YUKON  Rivers

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Shuttles, Rentals, Menu
November 17, 2017
Following the paddlers meeting ... Helen was in contact with Up North Adventures in Whitehorse. 

She reserved our vehicle shuttles for both the put-in and take-out river dates, paid the deposit on the shuttle and reserved 4 outfitted boats for the group. She is also working on the 'duty roster' and 'chef rotation'.

Resource Documents

Some of the following documents, are references created for previous river trips we have participated in. They can be reviewed here, as part of our more detailed planning list(s) called 'Our OUTFIT ' ...

Canoe Trip Ration Planning.docx

GROUP Gear List - Teslin Yukon River 2018.doc

Meal Planning Document.doc

Menu List - Yukon River.doc

Personal Clothing List - Teslin Yukon 2018.doc
Teslin / Yukon River(s) Guide

TRAINING

June 16-17, 2018
Boyd, Katherine, DM and Bryan enrolled in a moving water course at Madawaska Kanu Centre. 

" Paddling Irons the Wrinkles from Your Soul. "

These four very eager paddlers had waaaaaaay too much fun learning new skills!!!

Even though the rivers our group will be travelling this year are only considered Class CI+, there are still some necessary strokes and skills that are important to learn when paddling medium to strong current. Travelling moving water rivers is not just about learning new and effective paddling strokes ... learning how to safely swim through a rapid, if that last stroke you used wasn't effective, is just as important.

 

Tom and Peg did the same course at MKC, a couple of years ago. For this trip, they chose to just get into better shape ... once again, tooo much FUN!

Pre-trip Preparations

Food 

Katherine transformed beef into jerky and fresh fruit to dried fruit ...

Start

Finish

 

Helen dehydrated lemons, limes and oranges. These will be used to freshen drinking water that we filter from the river ... and to season all that 'fresh caught fish' I'm convinced we'll be eating!

Vacuum sealing dehydrated fruit

Cooking a puttanesca sauce. This will be dehydrated, vacuum sealed and then re-hydrated for one of the river dinners we will be preparing. 

Helen mixed GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts) and assembled and packed the majority of dry goods for the canoe trip, that we are responsible for providing. We'll shop for fresh food in Whitehorse. Meats and fishes, dairy, breads, fruits and vegetables will all be added to our 60 litre blue barrel then.

DM prepared GORP bags for her and Bryan before the flight to Whitehorse. They'll be flying with (2) 60l barrels and (2) 115l drypacks.

DM & Bryan and Peggy & Tom will all fly to Whitehorse with personal gear. They will do their final ood shopping and packing for the river trip there. 

Group Responsibilities 
Camp Meal Etiquette
Each boat (couple) is responsible for providing their own breakfasts, lunches and daytime snacks. However, the responsibility for evening menu selection and dinner preparation (including appetizers and desserts) is shared ... straws are pulled and each couple is assigned a number of dinners for the group. On those evenings, the couple that prepares and cooks dinner, does not tote water, build a fire or clean-up. A roster is created and each night, duties are assigned; to cook, clean up, gather wood, tend a fire or filter water ... every 4th night is a night off for one couple.

Common Gear Requirements
Cooking: oils, tinfoil, some spices, soaps - cost to be shared
Exposure Enclosure: D&H will provide
Firebox: D&H will provide
Stove: Coleman and fuel - shared rental
Stoves: each boat will carry a backup stove
Water Filters: each boat will carry a backup water filter

Wannigan: contents vary but will usually include - cooking oils and supply, dishes, cutlery, clean-up sac, fire sac, repair kit, saw, water filter, tarp bag. The wannigan (York box) is often portaged in a large canoe pack.




The OUTFIT
Dann assembled our outfit ... he cleaned, inspected and also tested several critical pieces of gear, such as water filters and stoves (including a new Biolite) and finally repaired or replaced damaged or defective gear.

Our Basement Gear Room ... What do we need for this trip?

Our Garage break-out area ... items are cleaned, tested and repaired if necessary ... then loaded.

LOAF's Gear Closet ... the crew seat is bigger than it looks!

The ITINERARY
July 26 - August 6, 2018

Teslin and Yukon River(s): Johnson's Crossing to Carmacks. We will paddle a total of 370 kms over 12 river days. 

We have 2 layover days planned; an average of 37 kms / day for the remaining 10 still allows for a fairly relaxed pace.

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OVERLANDING 

the  DEMPSTER  and  INUVIK  to  TUKTOYAKTUK  Highways

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Preparing the Vehicles
Helen and Dann with LOAF

In addition to the installation of, a new set of Nitto Ridge Grappler 295/70R18 tires and an upgraded 6800 lb / side, 4-pack leaf springs (with 2 helpers) rear suspension at the end of 2017, all LOAFs' systems were thoroughly inspected and fully serviced before winter storage. We also completed some minor modifications and maintenance items on the truck and a thorough cleaning of the cabin. Recently added ... a 20l spare fuel can with lockable holder, on the rear camper wall and a lockable, water- resistant ladder storage bag. A couple of days before departure, our 4 year/75000 km Diehard 7000 battery failed. It was replaced with a CARQUEST 7000 battery.

Katherine and Boyd

... have a 2017 Ford F250 (gas) and a 2017 Northern Lite 9’6 camper.  Their rig  squatted slightly in the rear. An extra leaf spring was added, allowing the overload springs to engage sooner.  

A 1  5/16 ths “ Hellwig rear sway bar replaced the stockOEM  7/8 “ bar. The sway bar was set to the stiffest of three settings, handling was much improved. 

Boyd fabricated a discreet hitch mounted platform that holds 2 x 25 litre fuel containers.  

Boyd completed some other mods: 
... added a permanently mounted rear deck boot brush, a CTC back up camera, the microwave oven was removed and replaced with a new cupboard, 2 book racks and a spice rack were built, a clothes cupboard was modified and a comfortable rear seat area was built for their terrier 'Lily'.

DM & Bryan and Peggy & Tom 
... reserved truck campers through Fraserway RV in Whitehorse for a 3 week period beginning August 12, 2018. 

REGROUP: Post Canoe Trip
August 7 - 11, 2018
We'll all cleanup and freshen-up, do any necessary truck service, resupply with food, socialize with a few Whitehorse friendlies ... and then we'll be onto a ... 

... 'New' ITINERARY
August 12 - September 1, 2018

Drive the Dempster and Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highways and return.

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We're LOAFin Around 

... follow along, if you like.

Our latest route, click TRAVEL MAP 2018

For all posts from this latest adventure, 
click Trip 143

Many thanks to contributing authors Katherine and Boyd for additional text ... 

Photography is by several members of TEAM FOUR DEGREES. 

TEAM: LOAF, Crumby,Wry and Crusty ... 

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