Bears or Bust 2022 with my Bronco and home/selfbuilt camper

[_jeff]

Damn impressive!

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[Preheateddinner]

Beautiful photos and great trip journal, thanks for sharing!

 

[TXBrian]

Wow!

 

[Sandbergo]

Bro these photos are amazing, I assume you are using a drone for some of them, you have to either be an avid photographer hobbyist or a nature photographer. Either way you do some amazing work. Thanks for the share.

 

[Boreal]

I assume you are using a drone for some of them, you have to either be an avid photographer hobbyist or a nature photographer. Either way you do some amazing work. Thanks for the share.

Nope, no drones used in the trip! All the shots were taken from strategic locations along the way!

Avid, Hobbyist, Professional… a little of all perhaps?

 

[Keerplunk]

OMG thank you for sharing! What an EPIC adventure!

 

[BroncoBilly22]

Truly amazing photos and epic adventure, thanks for sharing! Hands down the best photos I have ever seen. I hope you publish a book if you haven't already!

 

[Newbrunny]

Thanks for sharing! Simply amazing photos. You have some real talent! Could definitely see a documentary here…

Some of your pictures and language/descriptions reminded me of Adam Shoalts book Beyond the Trees. Good read if you have not already. He basically canoes across the North by himself. Pretty hardcore. But similar type of journey on your own and in the North.

So much in our country to see and explore. Again thanks for sharing!

 

[Los]

What an epic adventure, it makes me want to take off right now, I'll just throw a couple of sleeping bags in the back, and a small burner, my fishing gear.
I love photography, your pictures were amazing.
Being wanting to take a trip from SoCal, going north and ending in AK.

 

[WhatTheActual]

Wow -- your photos are just amazing!! 25 years ago we headed through Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon on our way to Alaska from Minnesota. Canada is awesome -- nice people, incredible scenery, and some incredibly challenging roads the further north we went. The Canadian Rockies can't be beat for natural beauty!

 

[TheGriffin1313]

Warning: Photo Heavy

Quick Links: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. My Instagram

Total on the ODO - 16,220kms. Averaged 14.5L/100kms

There is nothing like taking your new rig on a journey to get to know one another. My 22 BL arrived in July and I hit the pavement Late August after an oil change and a last minute camper suspension rebuild. This trip was intended to be the scenic route leaving from Winnipeg, MB and ending up in Alaska, plot twist, I never got there. At least we are nothing but adaptable, but lets get into it. This thread may be photo heavy, I hope you have a good data plan. Join me on the seven week adventure, the full photographic experience can be found under the Bears or Bust tab on my site - HERE. Disclaimer for our southern friends, all locations are in Canada!

I spent the month previous to departure prepping the Bronco and my home/selfbuilt camper. It pulled nicely behind the rig, 7 pin pass through power doesn't appear to be high amperage for charging the camper batteries but its better than nothin. First stop was Regina, SK... checking the hubs at each fuel up. All good.

Learning how to live on the road. I must've repacked the rig and camper every second night along the journey, the weather was varying and so was the clothes/gear required. Stocked up on food and the following day headed down south to the East Block of Grasslands National Park. I setup camp with the other adventurers and got on with figuring this solo tripping out... Now, September in the prairies is traditionally cool and wet. This was not the case when I stepped out into the desert 40º (104F) air. Like the midday heat, the views are breathtaking.

The East block was mostly landscapes, buttes, and hot vibes. Nothing as far as wildlife goes but I would like to head back for Spring. Off to the West Block of Grasslands, 200kms away or so. First on my wildlife list was the Burrowing Owl, these little buggers are the same approximate shape and colour as the Black Tailed Prairie Dog and they borrow the burrows to boot... tough to find but a lifer is worth it. The Burrowing Owl used to be a regular occurrence in MB until industrialized farming/Ag tilled the land and forced them out.

A couple hikes, hawks and hops and I was back onto #1 and off to Calgary, AB to say hi to some friends. The last great storm rolled through, providing a light show like I haven't seen in years. The route from Calgary was up through Banff, thru 1A to Icefields, Up through to Jasper and back out aiming north towards Grand Prairie, AB to meet up with another MB expat. This portion, like all portions contained many hikes and viewpoints. Seeing old friends and making new ones is all in the adventure, talking with locals and regular campers to find hidden gems proved to be quite valuable. Everyone is so nice in the bush, I guess you are surrounded by like minded peeps eh?

Right before I left, I got the rig naked. Driving with no doors and roof is nutty. I love it. however I was not prepared for the euphoria of driving through mountain passes with the panels off. The Bronco was made for mountain roads, and ever single portion of the trip lead me to a better viewpoint as the vehicle allowed me to go to places I never knew were possible.

After hitting up some of the hotspots, cough cough Peyto cough, and skipping others, Cough Moraine. I got up to the Icefields to some new-to-me roads, from here on out, it is all foreign territory. There were a few waterfalls planned for a full day on 93A around Jasper... again, I am nothing but flexible, apparently, because the hike and descending drive at Mount Edith Cavell rewarded me with a Northern Hawk Owl family and a Bull elk with his Harem! How good.

holy smoke do you work for National Geographics. Some of these photos are mind blowing.

 

[TheGriffin1313]

what would it take to hang with you? you seem to have all the sweet spots figured out.
Also the camera work is amazing, what camera are you using every single shot is calendar quality

 

[Kyukidoeric]

Amazing pictures. Thanks for sharing. And, not to many pics at all.

 

[tomsoffroad76]

What an amazing journey. Thanks for sharing!

 

[cds]

Coming out of the Interior took some time, wether it was the soul holding on or me being gentle on the rig after the battle thus far, I couldn't tell ya. While the end is near, there is lots to go. Old friends in Kelowna, and Revelstoke; New friends in Kananaskis await. BC has no shortage of trail heads, waterfalls or good vibes. Next up on the way to K-Town is Wells Gray, the waterfall park! Lets hope I don't end up on how to make a murderer.

Didn't die, I mighta felt a cold shiver on my neck at some point though. I hope buddies cat tax will suffice for those who prefer these little crackheads over dogs... my god. Some genius thought it would be smart to go and cycle the Kettle Valley Railway on his rest day, it didn't disappoint to be fair! After driving the 4x4 trail to purgatory, some logging trails to waterfalls I opted to explore the trails up in the hills behind the KVR. The Badlands used its skids for the first time! To some, off-roading is a way of life... to me, its a brand new way of exploring.

After a proper rest day (only because I was driving) I found myself partying in Revelstoke at night and up among the Glaciers during the day! Glacier Nat'l (Canadian Version) left me with some mixed feelings... Sore, Hungry and heartbroken come to mind. Ive gone 15 years and I finally dropped a lens... oops. She just got rebuilt by Nikon, so not a complete loss; its only money after all. Otherwise, another round of stunning views.

At this point in the Fall the #1 was shut down at Golden, BC and everyone was being routed south through Radium. Why not detour the detour? Down to Lussier Hotsprings I Go! Eventually I found my way up and out to Canmore, AB where I metup with some new found friends during the Icefields portion weeks back. Yanick, Meghan and Josie! He has an older 4R on Elkas and 33's, a complementary build to the Badlands. The dude took me proper wheeling, what a rush that gives you! I can see why you guys love to hang out in Utah.

The trip is coming to a close, what a journey its been. The OLM is nearing 0%. Tires were rotated half way through in bear country with a scissor jack. The fuel tank was filled approx. 935 times (kidding of course)... Battle scars were earned, photos were taken. Food was eaten and memories were made. I couldn't have asked for a trip of this duration to go much smoother than it did. The Bronco performed and exceeded all expectations, allowed me to explore and drive to newer heights than ever before. As the final day nears I check in with the initial Calgary friends one more time, walk a few parks and shoot the Flames vs Jets.

Life is what you make it, and its safe to say we are making the best of it. If you see me out on the road, come say Hi!

Keep on moving you guys, never stop. Thanks for letting me share my photo heavy tour of western/northern Canada. 16,220kms added to the ODO and I wouldn't skip a single one. 50ºC swing from 40ºC in shorts to Merino base layers and sleeping in a tent in bear country at -10ºC. All of these sights and sounds and not a single tire puncture - Perfect. Till Next time.

Cheers, Colby

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