Intruder's build and off road pics thread

[mgrande]

Love em. Way better traction off road and about the same on road. There are certain spots where I used to have to turn on ATRAC or the locker when I had the Duratracs but with the MTRs I just crawl through them. Way better in any kind of mud since the tread voids are larger so they self clean better. The only downside is that the MTRs will definitely not do well in winter up here so I'll have to get a set of dedicated winter tires, probably Geolanders or something.

I wouldn't count them out, there's a few guys on TW running them in snow just fine I believe.

 

[Intruder]

I wouldn't count them out, there's a few guys on TW running them in snow just fine I believe.

The snow I'm not worried about, it's the icy roads on my daily commute. Temps here in the winter can go from -30C to +10C and back again all in the same week so we get freeze, melt, freeze. A couple friends of mine ran them last winter and said it was downright scary at times.

 

[Intruder]

Well, I should have a lot of pics to post some time next week. Heading out bright and early tomorrow morning provided I can get my torn steering rack boot replaced today. Otherwise the truck is all ready to go aside from my food and clothing.


Untitled by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

 

[Intruder]

Ok, I'm back from Whipsaw. The trail conditions were extremely dry this year (close to fire ban dry) and we only had 5 trucks so we were able to complete the trail in one day instead of two. For the camera nerds (I know you're out there) pics were taken with a Nikon D600 using a Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f4G and Nikkor AF-S 50mm f1.4G.

We met up bright and early Friday morning at 6am at a gas station on the TransCanada highway outside Calgary eager to get rolling. One of the guys showed up late (FJC drivers, go figure) and another one was in Vancouver already so would be meeting up with us in Princeton.


DSC_0260.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Made a quick pit stop in Lake Louise where someone stopped by to ask us about our vehicles.


DSC_0264.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Driving through Banff National Park.


DSC_0268.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

I believe at this point we were somewhere just over the B.C. border.


DSC_0269.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

And running into traffic.


DSC_0270.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Made a fuel stop in Salmon Arm. It was hot enough that there was a haze everywhere.


DSC_0271.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Headed into the home stretch to Princeton on the Coquihalla highway.


DSC_0273.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Some beautiful scenery to help make the long drive go by.


DSC_0276.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Had to get the shadow on the road shot in there.


DSC_0279.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Finally arriving at the trailhead.


DSC_0281.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

 

[Intruder]

Airing down before making our way to our campsite for the night.


DSC_0284.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

My spot beam cutting through the dust.


DSC_0285.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr


DSC_0287.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Waiting for the front of the group to come back after taking a wrong turn.


DSC_0289.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Dogs relaxing at the campsite.


DSC_0291.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Getting ready to cook some dinner.


DSC_0292.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Lots of rooftop tents in our group.


DSC_0293.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

An old hunting blind.


DSC_0294.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

EasylyConfused setting up camp next to an old cabin.


DSC_0295.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

My dog is kind of obsessed with playing fetch.


DSC_0296.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

 

[Intruder]

Next morning and we're ready to hit the trail.


DSC_0297.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

We make a fine looking group.


DSC_0301.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

You really have to stop and smell the flowers once in a while (warning: there will be more flower pics).


DSC_0305.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

My copilot checking out the scenery.


DSC_0306.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Another old hunting cabin on the trail along with a grave marker.


DSC_0307.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

One of the views that makes Whipsaw one of BF Goodrich's top 5 rated trails in North America.


DSC_0309.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Stopping for a break.


DSC_0319.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

FJC doing a little climbing.


DSC_0320.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Two years ago this Tacoma hydrolocked in this puddle. After replacing the engine and getting a snorkel he was ready to conquer it, but the dry conditions made it pretty shallow.


DSC_0329.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Another group shot during a break.


DSC_0331.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

 

[Intruder]

Not a bad place to stop for lunch.


DSC_0332.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Another of the spectacular views on the trail.


DSC_0335.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

The Janzen Memorial Rock.


DSC_0339.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr


DSC_0343.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Never get tired of this scenery.


DSC_0353.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

A well-marked trail is a good trail.


DSC_0355.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

A little posing and hard parking on the trail.


DSC_0356.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr


DSC_0358.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Me spotting the Tacoma up a hill we call "fetus Rubicon". It's only 50 feet long but it's similar to what you'd encounter out there on a smaller scale.


DSC_0364.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Me spotting one of the FJCs up fetus Rubicon.


DSC_0372.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

 

[Ryan1975]

DSC_0281.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Is everyone expected to call in? What if you're running a US Spec radio and can't access 154? (I can because I've modded my 2m radio)

 

[Intruder]

My turn. No spotter


DSC_0382.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

EasylyConfused rolling on the trail. He really wanted to try fetus Rubicon, but didn't have all his skid plates yet. After watching the Tacoma and FJC land on a couple rocks really hard (speed kills) he made the wise choice to bypass the hill.


DSC_0389.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Having fun with the extra clearance my new bumper provides.


DSC_0391.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Showing a little 5th Gen flex.


DSC_0394.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

EaslyConfused going through the same spot.


DSC_0397.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Having some 5th Gen fun...


DSC_0399.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

One of the FJCs going through.


DSC_0403.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Group shot at the lake at the end of the trail.


DSC_0405.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

The dogs enjoying some downtime around the water.


DSC_0412.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Airing up before driving back to Princeton for the night.


DSC_0417.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

 

[Intruder]

Since Whipsaw took us less time than the 2-3 days we had budgeted I suggested that we should head back to Alberta and check out a couple of trails in my favourite place - Crowsnest. So we packed up and made our way to Fernie where we camped for the night, then drove to Coleman the next morning. After fuelling up we headed to a trail called Airplane or Plane Crash depending on who you talk to. It isn't an overly difficult trail other than a couple spots but the reward is at the top of the mountain. There's a pic that describes it, so I won't bother typing it all out.

EasylyConfused pushing the limits.


DSC_0420.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Getting spotted through an obstacle.


DSC_0422.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Going through the hard line - this one required the clearance of an aftermarket front bumper along with a locker.


DSC_0425.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

The objective.


DSC_0431.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

At the top.


DSC_0436.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Some posing.


DSC_0438.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Gorgeous scenery. Can you spot the airplane wing?


DSC_0439.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Yes, that's ice over the creek.


DSC_0440.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Tail section.


DSC_0442.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr


DSC_0443.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

 

[Intruder]

Some weather across the valley. Luckily we never felt a single drop.


DSC_0448.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Some airplane wreckage in the creek.


DSC_0457.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

The peak that the plane hit.


DSC_0460.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

And here's the background that explains the trail.


DSC_0472.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Another view of the peak.


DSC_0482.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Chilling.


DSC_0485.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

So on the way back down we ran into a bit of a snag. EasylyConfused took a bypass but the dirt under his truck began to give way causing him to slide against the side. Luckily his BudBuilt bump out sliders saved him from sustaining any body damage.


DSC_0488.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Since he couldn't drive forwards or backwards without scraping panels, we decided to hook him up to a winch via a pulley. We'd winch him off the wall a bit, then he'd drive forward slowly while the winch was still attached and holding him so he wouldn't slide to the left again.


DSC_0491.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

 

[Intruder]

So once we got back off the trail we headed to our campsite for the night. I've probably posted pics of this waterfall before or [MENTION=63060]rickashay[/MENTION] has.


DSC_0492.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

So clear you know the dogs are loving it.


DSC_0495.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr


DSC_0496.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Another shot of the waterfall just because.


DSC_0497.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

And our campsite for the night.


DSC_0499.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr


DSC_0500.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Tired out from fetching.


DSC_0501.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Next morning we made a big breakfast since it was our last day.


DSC_0502.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

More flowers.


DSC_0504.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr


DSC_0505.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

 

[Intruder]

Playing around with my camera.


DSC_0508.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

This is the remains of the town of Lille. It was a mining town in the early 1900s and this is all that's left.


DSC_0514.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr


DSC_0516.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr


DSC_0519.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

The foreground is a pile of coal slag.


DSC_0524.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

I warned you there'd be flowers, right?


DSC_0527.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

The mine was on this hill. To the right you can see where part of the top was strip mined.


DSC_0531.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

 

[Intruder]

The last trail of the trip, called powerline.


DSC_0533.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr


DSC_0535.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Turtle Mountain aka Frank Slide.


DSC_0538.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Ok, funny aside. While we were driving up this trail I got cell reception. The Nexus 7 I use as a GPS tracker is also tied into my work email and I received a meeting notification called "Acquisition Announcement Meeting". So this is a picture of where I was when I found out that the company I work for was just acquired by Cisco.


DSC_0544.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Some 5th Gen posing.


DSC_0554.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Another view of Frank Slide.


DSC_0555.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Photo whoring.


DSC_0556.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Probably the best view of Frank Slide other than from a plane or helicopter.


DSC_0558.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Hanging out.


DSC_0560.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr
[MENTION=77842]EasylyConfused[/MENTION].


DSC_0562.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

 

[Intruder]

You can't not take lots of pictures up here.


DSC_0563.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

Back down the trail.


DSC_0567.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr


DSC_0569.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

So that was our trip. Guess I should go unload the truck now.

 

[Intruder]

Is everyone expected to call in? What if you're running a US Spec radio and can't access 154? (I can because I've modded my 2m radio)

No, but it can be dangerous on those logging roads if you can't at least hear the logging trucks call out. They come flying down with a full load and in a lot of places the road is pretty narrow. The only times I've driven up that road have been on a Friday evening, so there wasn't any logging activity.

 

[4Run4YourLife]

Amazing.

 

[FatTiresRollin]

4runner porn...awesome! I couldn't even make it to the end before I had to clean up :redface:

 

[omaguz]

Beautiful Country, wish I could go some day with the Family and do some wheeling and camping. Intruder keep posting pictures of your trips, awesome work!!!

 

[-Trev-]

Gotta love the Crowsnest area! Lookin' forward to getting out there in 4 weeks for some exploring and fishin'!
Awesome photos! Glad to see the water is running clear.