rickashay
New member
Good day everyone,
Long time T4R member, but since selling my 3rd Gen (The Dirt Duster) I have not been very active on this forum. I have built several rigs up in my life and really enjoy the process and discovery aspect of each new vehicle, each with its pro and cons. I even had a brief stint earlier this year where I picked up a mint 08' 4th Gen (Phil the 4th Gen).
I must credit my time spent on these forums. IMO one of the best vehicle communities I've come across online. I have spent countless hours browsing these forums while I should have been studying for exams. The inspiration to build my 3rd Gen and get out in the backcountry is basically one of the foundations for this post today. To say I was bit with the "mod bug" was an understatement, but I think more so I was bit with the bug of using my 4Runner for adventure into the backcountry. Last year we held the first official "Colossal BC" trip which was a huge success. This year has brought many new challenges and opportunities, one of those being the founding of our media business:
Tamarack Media Co.
We are slowly but surely working our way into the commercial videography industry while still trying to maintain a focus on our passion for the outdoors and automobiles. This year, Tamarack officially hosted the Colossal 2016 event. I hope to be spending some more time over on T4R in the near future
Enough with the words, and onto the story. Hope you all enjoy!
Please see the excerpt below from our website of the first 2 segments from this year's journey. To view Part III (just released today) and tune in for the final installment and VIDEO, please check us out and follow along HERE.
Colossal 2016
IMG_4928 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
Day 1
There are 4 different weather websites that I frequent to obtain the most accurate prediction of the skies before heading out on a journey. Not that one has proven to be more accurate than the others, but somehow I seem to favor the one showing signs of clearer skies. As if 3 of the 4 predictions are wrong and there really is a glimpse of sunlight to be had for Colossal 2016. It’s something I can irrationally average in my head to make it seem like it’s going to be better than I know it is. The mind is funny that way, always trying to outsmart itself and I’m just along for the ride. Regardless, the forecast wasn’t looking too(very) dry and I was worried that Colossal 2016 would be an epic, wet, soggy bust.
All mental averaging aside, this year’s destination resided in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia around some of the most remote mining territory of(from the) late 18th Century. A region quite familiar to me having grown up in the stunning Kootenay valley of Nelson, BC. It’s an area I often encourage my Alberta counterparts to explore on their own time, knowing what a gem it truly is – the natural beauty, the culture, and the peacefulness. Colossal has been happening for 6 years now, although officially dubbed last year, and it felt right to bring it home. It’s the last camping trip of the year. The last weekend to fold out the RTT’s and sleep in the fresh air. The last glimpse of fall before we are forced into hibernation (or ski season!) for the year. But, most of all, I think of it as the last escape – leaving work stress and deadlines behind it’s an excuse to get as deep into the backcountry as possible, disconnecting from our modern world using our trusty Toy’s.
Departure day had arrived. This year would be slightly different – full travel disclosure and locations would not be granted prior to departure. Not sure why I chose to do this and realistically it’s something I still would like feedback on. I guess in my eyes; I see the unknown as the necessity of adventure. Not actually knowing where we would be travelling to in the weeks of anticipation prior to this day seemed like a novelty I was willing to enforce.
Emails, phone calls, face-to-face meetings, and text messages had been exchanged for weeks pertaining to vehicle preparation but no details were given on the primary location. Included(mandatory) vehicle and camping requirements had us all bustling to prepare our trucks in time for the trip. (Ask me how much sleep Jeff and I got the night before departure…) Wipers on full, I headed for the rendezvous point just outside of Calgary to gather with the group. Greetings exchanged and the clock ticking we hit HWY 1 Westbound for Revelstoke, BC.
20160930-IMG_7768 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20160930-IMG_7771 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
The drive flew buy as chatter on the radio kept boredom at bay and the od(d) hooning stint kept us alert. 10pm passes the Rogers Pass avalanche tunnels with 14 Toyotas sure brings a sense of calm, or was it abruptly loud RPM bouncing acoustics? One of the two. A pit-stop in Revy for fuel and a few choice words with(from) an enthusiastic member of the local Tinder population and we were bound for camp.
20160930-IMG_7780 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
We rolled in late with the rain still trickling over our windshields. It looked like my optimistic forecasting method wasn’t working out so well. Regardless, the group was all smiles as we rolled into our large campsite around 11:30pm. Nothing but turning birch trees, the scent of wet pine, and a backdrop of darkness to set our eyes on. Camp quickly deployed and out came the awnings and beverages to help keep us dry/warm. We had an early start to get to our final destination within a reasonable hour the next day, but without a warm dry bed this night, we figured a night-cap was the least we could do.
Waking up the next morning was easy – simply rely on your fellow travel companions to alert you of sunrise via the gentle and rhythmic panging of camp cookware as they prepare a breakfast feast for sunrise. All sarcasm aside, the view from our campsite made an early morning justifiable. What was a blanket of darkness the night before appeared to be an epic view of Upper Arrow lake from our campsite. A pebble beach and large moss covered rock bluffs sank into the clear waters of the lake.
20161001-IMG_1138 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7790 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7789 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7786 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7788 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
Low lying clouds wrapped our company as we took in the mysterious views and prepared for departure. We shook the water off our tents as best we could, folded up camp, and raced towards Galena Bay to catch the 9am ferry crossing. Cutting it close for time we made forward progress at speeds suited for smooth pavement; not bumpy, rutted, narrow, gravel logging access roads! Our group eagerly drove up to the ferry gate as the first cars in line were already boarding. Arriving a moment later and we would have (been a moment too late)missed the ferry!
20161001-IMG_7800 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
Our group made form and rolled onto the D.E.V Galena as onlookers pointed at the posse of modified Toyotas. The stern deck raised and we started our journey east across Upper Arrow Lake.
20161002-IMG_1375 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
The calm waters and peaceful 20min ferry ride allowed us all to stretch our legs and finish our morning coffee. As we sailed East, the sun’s rays began to burn off the blanket of cloud, illuminating the basin with dramatic visuals. Anticipation was growing in the group, as they still did not know where we were going. Soon I would reveal the area of interest, but first I pulled out the map and reviewed our route once on the opposite shore, towards one of the area’s great mining boom towns of the late 1800’s.
20161001-IMG_7795 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7806 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7799 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
Long time T4R member, but since selling my 3rd Gen (The Dirt Duster) I have not been very active on this forum. I have built several rigs up in my life and really enjoy the process and discovery aspect of each new vehicle, each with its pro and cons. I even had a brief stint earlier this year where I picked up a mint 08' 4th Gen (Phil the 4th Gen).
I must credit my time spent on these forums. IMO one of the best vehicle communities I've come across online. I have spent countless hours browsing these forums while I should have been studying for exams. The inspiration to build my 3rd Gen and get out in the backcountry is basically one of the foundations for this post today. To say I was bit with the "mod bug" was an understatement, but I think more so I was bit with the bug of using my 4Runner for adventure into the backcountry. Last year we held the first official "Colossal BC" trip which was a huge success. This year has brought many new challenges and opportunities, one of those being the founding of our media business:
Tamarack Media Co.
We are slowly but surely working our way into the commercial videography industry while still trying to maintain a focus on our passion for the outdoors and automobiles. This year, Tamarack officially hosted the Colossal 2016 event. I hope to be spending some more time over on T4R in the near future
Enough with the words, and onto the story. Hope you all enjoy!Please see the excerpt below from our website of the first 2 segments from this year's journey. To view Part III (just released today) and tune in for the final installment and VIDEO, please check us out and follow along HERE.
Colossal 2016
IMG_4928 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
Day 1
There are 4 different weather websites that I frequent to obtain the most accurate prediction of the skies before heading out on a journey. Not that one has proven to be more accurate than the others, but somehow I seem to favor the one showing signs of clearer skies. As if 3 of the 4 predictions are wrong and there really is a glimpse of sunlight to be had for Colossal 2016. It’s something I can irrationally average in my head to make it seem like it’s going to be better than I know it is. The mind is funny that way, always trying to outsmart itself and I’m just along for the ride. Regardless, the forecast wasn’t looking too(very) dry and I was worried that Colossal 2016 would be an epic, wet, soggy bust.
All mental averaging aside, this year’s destination resided in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia around some of the most remote mining territory of(from the) late 18th Century. A region quite familiar to me having grown up in the stunning Kootenay valley of Nelson, BC. It’s an area I often encourage my Alberta counterparts to explore on their own time, knowing what a gem it truly is – the natural beauty, the culture, and the peacefulness. Colossal has been happening for 6 years now, although officially dubbed last year, and it felt right to bring it home. It’s the last camping trip of the year. The last weekend to fold out the RTT’s and sleep in the fresh air. The last glimpse of fall before we are forced into hibernation (or ski season!) for the year. But, most of all, I think of it as the last escape – leaving work stress and deadlines behind it’s an excuse to get as deep into the backcountry as possible, disconnecting from our modern world using our trusty Toy’s.
Departure day had arrived. This year would be slightly different – full travel disclosure and locations would not be granted prior to departure. Not sure why I chose to do this and realistically it’s something I still would like feedback on. I guess in my eyes; I see the unknown as the necessity of adventure. Not actually knowing where we would be travelling to in the weeks of anticipation prior to this day seemed like a novelty I was willing to enforce.
Emails, phone calls, face-to-face meetings, and text messages had been exchanged for weeks pertaining to vehicle preparation but no details were given on the primary location. Included(mandatory) vehicle and camping requirements had us all bustling to prepare our trucks in time for the trip. (Ask me how much sleep Jeff and I got the night before departure…) Wipers on full, I headed for the rendezvous point just outside of Calgary to gather with the group. Greetings exchanged and the clock ticking we hit HWY 1 Westbound for Revelstoke, BC.
20160930-IMG_7768 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20160930-IMG_7771 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
The drive flew buy as chatter on the radio kept boredom at bay and the od(d) hooning stint kept us alert. 10pm passes the Rogers Pass avalanche tunnels with 14 Toyotas sure brings a sense of calm, or was it abruptly loud RPM bouncing acoustics? One of the two. A pit-stop in Revy for fuel and a few choice words with(from) an enthusiastic member of the local Tinder population and we were bound for camp.
20160930-IMG_7780 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
We rolled in late with the rain still trickling over our windshields. It looked like my optimistic forecasting method wasn’t working out so well. Regardless, the group was all smiles as we rolled into our large campsite around 11:30pm. Nothing but turning birch trees, the scent of wet pine, and a backdrop of darkness to set our eyes on. Camp quickly deployed and out came the awnings and beverages to help keep us dry/warm. We had an early start to get to our final destination within a reasonable hour the next day, but without a warm dry bed this night, we figured a night-cap was the least we could do.
Waking up the next morning was easy – simply rely on your fellow travel companions to alert you of sunrise via the gentle and rhythmic panging of camp cookware as they prepare a breakfast feast for sunrise. All sarcasm aside, the view from our campsite made an early morning justifiable. What was a blanket of darkness the night before appeared to be an epic view of Upper Arrow lake from our campsite. A pebble beach and large moss covered rock bluffs sank into the clear waters of the lake.
20161001-IMG_1138 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7790 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7789 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7786 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7788 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
Low lying clouds wrapped our company as we took in the mysterious views and prepared for departure. We shook the water off our tents as best we could, folded up camp, and raced towards Galena Bay to catch the 9am ferry crossing. Cutting it close for time we made forward progress at speeds suited for smooth pavement; not bumpy, rutted, narrow, gravel logging access roads! Our group eagerly drove up to the ferry gate as the first cars in line were already boarding. Arriving a moment later and we would have (been a moment too late)missed the ferry!
20161001-IMG_7800 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
Our group made form and rolled onto the D.E.V Galena as onlookers pointed at the posse of modified Toyotas. The stern deck raised and we started our journey east across Upper Arrow Lake.
20161002-IMG_1375 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
The calm waters and peaceful 20min ferry ride allowed us all to stretch our legs and finish our morning coffee. As we sailed East, the sun’s rays began to burn off the blanket of cloud, illuminating the basin with dramatic visuals. Anticipation was growing in the group, as they still did not know where we were going. Soon I would reveal the area of interest, but first I pulled out the map and reviewed our route once on the opposite shore, towards one of the area’s great mining boom towns of the late 1800’s.
20161001-IMG_7795 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7806 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
20161001-IMG_7799 by Tamarack Media Co., on Flickr
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