It had always been my intention to explore beyond the camping site at KM 55 on the west side of Harrison Lake. Having hiked partway up the road on previous trips there was apprehension the road might be more than my vehicle could handle. Very rough, steep and filled with large loose rock the road had taken it's toll on many unprepared vehicles.
Only a year earlier, a desperate jeep owner had arrived at my campsite on km55 asking for assistance with his jeep. "My jeep is stuck on a steep portion of the road, can you help me" he said with desperation. What could one do? Off we headed, on foot, because I was unaware of the conditions and didn't want to be stuck also. Saying he was a kilometre or so away we departed with very little in the way of supplies. About an hour and a half and, 3 or four kms later we came across his jeep. Nearby were his travel companions, two Aussies - he himself was English and all were completely out of their element. Very little water, out of food and no extra clothing or emergency supplies. Typical.
The Jeep was indeed stranded. the rear drive shaft dragging in the rough road and connection to the rear end sheared completely off. After climbing under it was apparent a quick repair impossible and suggested we push the vehicle to the side and walk back to my campsite where we had food and supplies to house them for the night. The driver of the Jeep balked at the idea, one of the Aussies a female protested, she had work the following day (it was a Sunday) and expected a repair performed immediately. Right.
After wasting a half an hour or so attempting a jury rigged quick fix, another truck drove down the hill. The good thing about travelling these types of roads in Canada is, even when passing another vehicle they usually stop and ask about the road ahead and supply a similar answer to you about whats upcoming their way. This guy stopped, hopped out of his truck, quickly assessing the problem and offered a ride to my campsite where tools and such were. We took up his generous offer and myself and the English chap bounced along the trail previously walked. Grabbing tools and a come along we bounced back to the stricken Jeep.
Light was becoming rare and it looked to me the occupants were going to be spending the evening and night as campmates. Then, the guy who had stopped came up with a capital idea. Why don't we disconnect the rear shaft and drive the Jeep in reverse up the steeper portions of the roadway? We had tried to drive the Jeep in front wheel drive only but the traction poor and the hill steep. It worked. He then, offered me a return trip to my campsite since it was going to take the jeep at walking speed over an hour to get to my site. What a good guy!
On the trip we talked about how unprepared they were and fortunate to find anyone to assist them. Live and learn...
Anyway, with this in mind, I had yet to travel past km 55 in my camper equipped 4x4, all this changed with a conversation with the logging truck driver. A car could get there mentioned the driver, little did I realize he meant to his entry to the logging site, which was only 2 kms farther down the road...
Here's a pic of his "rig". He stopped to check the load and offered his opinion on the road past KM 55.
The blog will continue on with my prepared departure the following day.
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