2018 4WDrive Overland SE - June
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Sometimes we do things for<br />
other people; sometimes we do<br />
things solely for ourselves. This<br />
summer I had the opportunity to finally<br />
take on a challenge that I’d had on my<br />
bucket list for years - learning to wheel<br />
and camp on my own with no written<br />
agenda other than a destination.<br />
Last summer I hit up Shea Lake and<br />
Cabin Lake twice, Sloquet hot springs a half<br />
dozen times, Hale, Sunrise, Kookapi four<br />
times, Yalakom twice, Kenyon a half dozen<br />
times, Whipsaw and several other of my<br />
favourite haunts on weekend excursions. I<br />
mastered the skill sets of swapping out my<br />
own U-joints, brake pads and differential<br />
fluid, and other minor maintenance items<br />
with the help of an amazing group of<br />
friends. All in all, I felt my Jedi training was<br />
complete and it was time to test my nerve<br />
in the field on my own.<br />
Now it was time for a trip of a lifetime<br />
– an adventure to Poison Mountain and<br />
China Head. I’d seen the pictures from<br />
friends’ journeys and was mesmerized by<br />
the area. I’d been to the abandoned jade<br />
mine up between Lillooet and Bralorne<br />
and explored the ruins of Pioneer Mine<br />
but I had never made the full trip from<br />
Pemberton, over Poison Mountain to<br />
Boston Bar. With three free days, and a<br />
couple extra hundred dollars for gas and<br />
expenses, I told the guys where I was<br />
going. The only reply was, “Have fun.”<br />
Thursday night I made sure the<br />
Jeep was fully stocked and got extras of<br />
everything. I picked up my first Jerry Can<br />
and was ready to head out as soon as I got<br />
home Friday night. I made sure to have<br />
enough supplies to last a week, just in case<br />
something terminal happened on the third<br />
day, and it took the guys a couple of extra<br />
days to rescue me.<br />
I wanted an early start and hit the road<br />
at 6:00 am. Making the pilgrimage of stops<br />
to get to West Harrison Road - Mohawk for<br />
Gas, Deroche for their “to die for” beef jerky,<br />
the Sasquatch Inn for some bevvies and<br />
finally the hatchery to air down. It was here<br />
that I realized that I’d be free for three whole<br />
days with nothing but adventure waiting.<br />
I made my way up West Harrison<br />
with the VHF on 146.460. Part way up I<br />
picked up the signal of a convoy visiting<br />
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 1 13
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