5 Wheel Drive: Land Rover & KTM tackle the Gaspé Peninsula

[ini88]

Daniel (ini88), Jarek (Jarek M) & Ryan (rmuller) are setting out on a 5 day run up to Québec, Canada to conquer an all off-road trek through the Gaspé Peninsula.

Why 5 days? Well we could only get that much time off work + we only really started planning this trip about a month ago

I will be on my KTM 690 Enduro R & Jarek will be in his Land Rover Discovery I with Ryan as navigator.

Departure date is set for 5am 9/16 and we will hopefully return by 9/20. That is if I don't wreck hard, Jarek's Discovery doesn't break down, and Ryan doesn't get eaten by a bear!


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Logo/Gaspe.gif


"Street" map of our planned route:
http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Maps/Gaspe_map_street_100.jpg

Large view > (http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Maps/Gaspe_map_street.gif)



Topo map of our planned route:
http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Maps/Gaspe_map_topo_100.jpg

Large view> (http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Maps/Gaspe_map_topo.jpg)


Resources:

Google Map > (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106236721173628125146.00048c5708e74803cafb3&z=9)
Spot GPS > (http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0MeFrazjMcNlFAuHFdRvNKOH0F6xAbp 1G)

[Jarek M]

Second truck would be nice.

[ini88]

I am trying to pack light as I will be carrying all my own luggage. I am using two Giant Loop bags. The Giant Loop Fandango tank bag (http://www.giantloopmoto.com/collections/giant-loop-gear-collection/products/fandango-tank-bag) and their Great Basin bag (http://www.giantloopmoto.com/collections/giant-loop-gear-collection/products/great-basin-saddlebag). I personally think they make some of the best soft luggage in the market along with Wolfman. Soft luggage will be key on this trip as the going may get tough and tight!

I wear a Klim Traverse jacket (http://www.klim.com/en-us/shop/moto/men/jackets/4050-600) & pant (http://www.klim.com/en-us/shop/moto/4051-660) as well as their Balaclava. (http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/OG/2010-Klim-Balaclava-Black.jpg) Everything is waterproof and tough as nails.

Almost complete list
http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1227.jpg

GoPro camera and Garmin 276c & back brace as I like to slip discs.
http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1228.jpg

Kilm Balaclava
http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1231.jpg

661 Vapor pressure suit so it feels good when I eat Canadian dirt
http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1232.jpg

Giant Loop Fandango & Great Basin bags
http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1233.jpg

[Jarek M]

For navigation we have GPS Kit HD and Topo Maps for iPad, all of Gaspe Peninsula has been cached, down to street level in topo and sat.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/753b36cb.jpg

[syke]

Subscribed! :sombrero::bike_rider:

[ini88]

This water crossing has me a little bit worried. The road ends and looks like an overlook spot on the left. Even though on the right there seems to be a section that connects to it. It looks like a 200 meter/650 foot drop in elevation!
:rappel:

http://defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/water_crossing.jpg

[rmuller]

I think we can keep that optional.. looking at the map, we could just stay south the whole time, which the two water crossings look like roads once existed there. We'll have to see how we're doing on pace whether or not we'll take that extra trip up north.

[Jarek M]

Can't do pretty pictures, my tool box.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/75ce9925.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/04c3b5d5.jpg

[ini88]

I fitted my luggage tonight. The Wolfman fender bag holds a lot! I have a spare tube, patches, all my tools & Motion Pro tire irons in there! I just hope it doesn't snap my plastic fender off!

The Giant Loop bags are nice and snug. Tank bag has my passport, cameras, wallet and odd and ends I will need quickly. Great Basin bag on the back has all my clothes and camping gear. I know it is only a 5 day trek but I really wanted to over pack and load the bike up to see how it handles. I plan to ride to South America in a year or two so I really want to do some easy short test runs for prep.

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/luggage_test_01.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/luggage_test_02.jpg

[Jarek M]

:Wow1: Dan look what I found, now we don't have to bury your bike when I get stuck!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/010.jpg

[ini88]

Thank god! Wait... you found it? Like it was lost in your 'keys' drawer?

"Basia have you seen my land anchor anywhere?" - Jarek
"Check the drawer with the spare keys in it" - Barb

[ini88]

SPOT is live (http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0MeFrazjMcNlFAuHFdRvNKOH0F6xAbp 1G)

[Christian P.]

This is awesome, one beautiful area. we used to go snowboarding in the winter over there...offtrack..

:)

[rijosho]

Good luck, guys. Tom and I will be working on our trucks tomorrow so you'll be with us in spirit. Do you guys have the app for ExPo to load photos while on your trip?

[rijosho]

Looks like you guys are at the border right now. Damn that was fast!

[Cody1771]

wow topo maps is way cooler for IPAD than it is on my iphone! how do you find the KTM 690 for long distance riding?

[Cody1771]

damn! you guys rode through the night?

[ini88]

Left NJ at 10:30pm. We just got to the hotel now and going to crash a bit before getting wasted at the local bar and fighting some townies :)

One piece of advice: Do not blow through the Canadian boarder and then ask yourself "who tripped those alarms." Always go through the long line with the little green light or else you will have a problem on your hand.

[Jarek M]

Boarder was fun!:elkgrin:

[roverthen]

Be safe and have plenty of fun.

[deadly99]

I was in the Gaspe on my bike last week, bridges out and gates prevented us from doing our intended route. Hope you lads had better luck than we did.

[ini88]

Well we made it back to the hotel in Cambletown and are absolutely beat. Thank god we were prepared for the worse. Sand ladders, chainsaw, 3 Jerry cans and one make-shift bridge later and we got back to civilization.

We didn't know what we would get into there as we could only really route our track via google earth images. Some of the "roads" look wide and passable. Other "trails" looks tight and overgrown. We made it about a third of the way. I ran out of gas and took half a Jerry can to fill up again. Jarek was on a quarter tank with no gas station remotely close. He took the last two Jerry cans and we had to head back out of deep woods to one of the major roads on the very south or very north. South won the coin flip.

The one thing we didn't except was some serious bush-wacking. Riding up river beds, climbing over barriers and coming across a washed out bridge about 30 miles in with absolutely no way around and no way of turning around! All 3 of us were uncertain of how to pass. The bridge that was there was half gone and the remaining half was so water logged it sunk when you stood on it. We walked the KTM over and up the embankment. Now for the mighty Land Rover... well, we needed to think this one out and after seeing the old 1950s Ford laying upside down just 50 feet from us didn't give us too much confidence. With chainsaw smoke filling the air around us, Jarek got his lumberjack on and Ryan and I put our Jenga knowledge to work. These trees needed to be long and strong as they needed to support the 8000+lbs Discovery.

I need to leave you all hanging on this one. Bedtime for now. Early morning departure to head home! Full report coming soon this week.

[deadly99]

:lurk:

[ini88]

I was in the Gaspe on my bike last week, bridges out and gates prevented us from doing our intended route. Hope you lads had better luck than we did.

Hey Ted! Yeah seemed like the place was a real mess up there. There was no real direct route through the middle. Seemed like all the roads came form the south and north to meet. How is your ride going?

[ini88]

We just got home and everyone is beat. 14+ hour drive takes the life out of you. Here are some shots. More to come this week after a write up.

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1359.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1289.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1367.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1338.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1300.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1306.jpg

[Rocket Ship]

Can't wait to see more details. I love stories like this. This is why it's so difficult to "overland" up here. The Hole in the Rock trail has been in existence for over 130 years. You attempted to follow a route on a map that is probably only 5-10 years old, and it's impassible.

[ini88]

Can't wait to see more details. I love stories like this. This is why it's so difficult to "overland" up here. The Hole in the Rock trail has been in existence for over 130 years. You attempted to follow a route on a map that is probably only 5-10 years old, and it's impassible.

You are so right Rocket Ship. The forest up there reminds me of the Brazilian rain forest. Large logging roads but once you take a side trail off anything major you get into some real hard core off roading. You have to hack through bushes and trees to carry on. I could barely fit my bike through some areas. Jarek's Discovery is a well worn in truck so he doesn't mine the scratches in the paint as he basically had to push through it all. Without Jarek and Ryan there, there was no way I could have pushed my light 300lb bike up any of the ravines and embankments. It made it that much harder. This trip was a real eye opener to how difficult it is to cross the middle of Gaspe through the trail system.

I would love a second chance at it and give it a good 7 days with loads of spare fuel and provisions.

[deadly99]

We made it back after a fun week...we've made it across the middle a few years back but on this one the major trucnk road we used tyhat feeds into the trails had the bridge out. We ran into the same issue crossing the middle of New Brunswick on our way to the Gaspe, tons of bridges out. A local informed us that in December they recieved 2 feet of rain in 24 hours which is unheard of for that area. The streams and rivers swelled so large that many bridges were destroyed, we saw no less than a dozen where a new bridge was built and the old ones could be seen about 50 feet downstream suspended way up in the tree's.

Let me know when you want to go back for another attempt as I am always up for a Gaspe week :ylsmoke:

Now lets here about your adventures :lurk:

[Rocket Ship]

I would love a second chance at it and give it a good 7 days with loads of spare fuel and provisions.


Would be cool to put together a real "expedition". And it really would be an expedition. I'd be up for it. I wanted to join you guys, but just didn't have enough time on such short notice.

The TCAT got really lucky when they found the "Route du Mauricie" through that region, or else it would have been the exact same thing probably.

This situation doesn't just exist in the Gaspe. It's like that all over the Canadian shield. The population density is so low in Canada, soon as you get away from population centers, there is ZERO traffic, no tourists. The one and only reason to build a remote road is resource extraction. And as soon as the mining and logging companies finish, nature reclaims the road within a decade.

[rijosho]

Thank god we were prepared for the worse. Sand ladders, chainsaw, 3 Jerry cans and one make-shift bridge later and we got back to civilization.

I ran out of gas and took half a Jerry can to fill up again. Jarek was on a quarter tank with no gas station remotely close. He took the last two Jerry cans and we had to head back out of deep woods to one of the major roads on the very south or very north. South won the coin flip.



And you didn't want my extra Jerry Cans. :)

[Jarek M]

The route is fine! NOT doable on your own and in a mall crawler, but perfectly fine for a determined well equipped group. Three trucks and two bikes wold be just right. The only thing that stopped us was lack of gas.

I'm coming back!!!!!

[ini88]

You are right, the only real thing that stopped us was the lack of gas. We passed everything else. A good off road truck is also needed. Chainsaw too!

[rmuller]

We almost also got stopped due to a lack of a corkscrew for our local wine we picked up for camp... but through improvisation, we overcame that challenge and persevered!

[Oilburner]

You b@$tards shoulda called! :sombrero:

I coulda been in Gaspé in about 9 hours...

[ini88]

You b@$tards shoulda called! :sombrero:

I coulda been in Gaspé in about 9 hours...

We were going to call... then debated about it. Didn't know how far you were. I swear we about to ask Ben for your number to see if you wanted to meet up and explore.

Sounds like we are going to have to head back up and give it another try with 20 more gallons of fuel!

[Rocket Ship]

The route is fine! NOT doable on your own and in a mall crawler, but perfectly fine for a determined well equipped group. Three trucks and two bikes wold be just right. The only thing that stopped us was lack of gas.


Fine? You did only make it 1/3rd of the way right? ;)

Do you have a GPS track you can show? Just curious how far you made it vs. how much fuel you used.

Sounds like it was a great adventure, and definitely worth going back. If I understand right, Ted also wasn't able to get through for the TNE route? Now it's a challenge that must be met! :)

[deadly99]

The TCAT got really lucky when they found the "Route du Mauricie" through that region, or else it would have been the exact same thing probably.

.

Less about luck and more to do with many, many hours of research (phone calls, maps, internet, etc)

:ylsmoke:

[deadly99]

Sounds like it was a great adventure, and definitely worth going back. If I understand right, Ted also wasn't able to get through for the TNE route? Now it's a challenge that must be met! :)

I've made it through before, this time we were just going to reride that track from the opposite side and were quickly stumped with this

http://64.136.20.22/3081018_l.JPG

We spent a while debating whether or not to attempt to cross the river, I thought it was doable but my riding partner didn't. He was probably right as the current was pretty deep. That road is the major trunk for MANY of the smaller roads to the west of it. I'm glad we tried east to west as that river would have had to of been forged had we come across it at the end of the route (fuel). We spent a while and had a coffee debating it but in the end we bowed down to better judgement, I still regret making that decision :ylsmoke:

[Jarek M]

Fine? You did only make it 1/3rd of the way right? ;)

Do you have a GPS track you can show? Just curious how far you made it vs. how much fuel you used.

Sounds like it was a great adventure, and definitely worth going back. If I understand right, Ted also wasn't able to get through for the TNE route? Now it's a challenge that must be met! :)

We hit the trail at 11AM and did 70 miles, next day decision was made that with our curent fuel state we,re not making our next refueling point at the half way. So we bailed out south...
Like deadly99 says, I also regret my decision. We probably would of make it and there is no glory without risk! So non for me this time!!! I feel like ****...

[ini88]

We were going into the unknown really. It was all passable and we did build a bridge and plowed through everything we could. It was just that we were low on fuel and were going to enter a long overgrown/non-existent trail that looked like hell on the map. Maybe we could have made it to the next gas stop... Maybe not, who knows. All we know is we were getting some horrible MPG. This is really the only reason we had to hit the main trail and get out to fuel up.

The response so far from everyone has been great! I think we need to organize a 5 man group next time of trucks and motorcycles and finish the trail! Anyone interested in early spring time next year? :) "The Great Gaspé Crossing Part II"

Also sorry for the delay in the write up. I started Day 1 last night but work has been insane since I got back. I have this weekend free and will get all the images in order and should post a full report by this weekend.

[deadly99]

I've been there is early June and got turned back by snow....just something to consider. Where there wasn't snow the trails were very muddy and soft.

[KevinNY]

Nice job boys!

[Rocket Ship]

The response so far from everyone has been great! I think we need to organize a 5 man group next time of trucks and motorcycles and finish the trail! Anyone interested in early spring time next year? :) "The Great Gaspé Crossing Part II"


More like, the crossing of the Gaspe Gap. ;)

70 miles? You guys must have been idling a lot to burn that much fuel?

Ted, how deep do you think the river was?

[ini88]

I like that! Gaspian Gap!

Idle.... yeah that was one of our problems. The truck had a dead battery when we first tried to start it the night before. So we jumped it off the pick-up truck and really didn't want to take our chances shutting it off every other time we came to a challenge. We had my KTM but I don't know if the KTM's battery would jump a V8. Maybe if it was warm but not stone cold. After camping that night we woke and tried to kick over the Rover and it fired right up. too late though as fuel reserves were already low.

Kevin, you should have come along! I know you have been itching to get up to Gaspe.

[KevinNY]

I'm building a '97 Land Cruiser now that will be perfect for long drives like that.

[ini88]

I'm building a '97 Land Cruiser now that will be perfect for long drives like that.

Sell the Goat and lets plan a trip up there with the LC and lets conquer it! :smiley_drive:

[ini88]

Report coming (man i'm really hyping this up right?) teaser shot!

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/083.jpg

[KevinNY]

The Goat IS sold, delivered it last weekend.

[Rocket Ship]

The Gaspian Gap Expedition. I love it! :D

[ini88]

After a night of heavy drinking in the hotel room and watching off-road video we wake up a tad late, but well rested... and with a slight hangover. No big deal though because all we have to do is drive at a snails pace through the woods right?

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/ GOPR1950.jpg

We pack up and hit the gas station right away. I fill the bike and Jarek fills the Disco plus the 3 jerry cans… just incase*. We hit the road and come across heavy traffic right away… They have traffic in Canada? In the middle of nowhere? See two of us are from the most populated state and I am from the most populated city in the US so coming across Traffic in the middle of nowhere was very strange. I cut through traffic on the KTM and saw what was going on. Some huge dual-end truck was trying to get off a bridge on Route 132. People were out taking photos and all that. I guess this really only happens once in-a-while in Gaspe. Jarek decided to pick up some canned calamari (sounds gross but damn good the next day when you are starving) at the near by store and Ryan and I chatted is up with a snowmobiler. He was excited to hear about what we were trying to accomplish on this trip.

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/ GOPR1955.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/GOPR1959.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/GOPR1968.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/ 034.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/ 019.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/ 021.jpg

About 10 mins later we roll up to the trailhead. The excitement builds… will it be difficult? Will it take us only 2 hours? Will we run out of gas? Will Ryan get eaten by a bear? All of these thoughts ran through our heads as we mentally prepped for what was about to hit us.

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/025.jpg

I started up the hill first to lead the way, though my Garmin combined with my standing up riding style was killing my navigation! haha. I kept trying to look down at my bars to see when the next turn was but I had to watch out for rocks and waterholes. It started to become a maze for me so I let Jarek and Ryan lead as they cashed the whole area of the Gaspe on GPS Kit in their iPad. I highly recommend that app!

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/021.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/041.jpg

[ini88]

Our first obstacle comes to us about 2 miles in. Looks like a giant wall that was built maybe a month ago. It also has a sign written in French next to it. “Chasseurs a l’affut.” Jarek’s Polish wasn’t helping, Ryan’s instincts felt like it was a similar sign we see in the States, “Don’t trespass or we will blow your head off”, and I was just wondering how in hell I was going to get my bike over! What did the sign mean? We thought long and hard about it for 2 minutes and decided we didn’t drive 14 hours to let some sign we don’t understand stop us! So we threw the bike over and Jarek drove the truck over the 10 foot barrier.

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/050.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/047.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/043.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/042.jpg

“Chasseurs a l’affut.” Means “Hunters on the lookout” or something like that. We figured it out after we got back.

About 100 yards in front of that someone built up a bunch of trees to stop people like us from going over the first barrier I guess. I took a bypass into the woods and Jarek drove over the weak wooded attempt to crush our dreams. At the end of the trail we could see a large opening to a major logging road. But right before we got to it there is a small washed out pipeline. The pipe couldn’t hold the rushing water and the overspill must of wash out everything around it. Jarek and I walked my bike across the giant holes and slippery metal pipe only because it didn't look to pleasing to fall into. He took the Discovery over it as quick as he could because the pipe started to crush under the 8000+ pound load.

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1249.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1248.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1255.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1253.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecHykNGzo98

Now this is what I was expecting... Long wide open logging trails! We cruise this open pass for a good bit. We encountered some hikers right away who seemed to be a bit scared of us. I was ripping through the long uphills and winding switchbacks trying to get my speedo to hit 70mph. Jarek tried to keep up in his lumbering Discovery, and I could see it in his eyes that he wanted a rip on the old bike

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1250.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1261.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1263.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/108.jpg

We then took an offshoot and I followed the boys down a long twisted and tight ravine between two hills. As I noticed my Garmin unit dropping elevation numbers like a fighter plane going into a nose dive. I could see the forest growing thicker and darker. It felt like we were heading into an ewok village. Passing signs that read “Danger” and seeing small waterfalls dumping out near by as we come across a nice river. It’s not too deep and looks like fun! The bridge is out that rises 20 feet above it down the way so this is the only way through. All three of us are used to water as we do a lot of Pine Barrens driving throughout the year. He feels at home and doesn't bat an eye as he drives through the axle high water. I on the other hand want to make sure I get the best angle of approach. The water isn’t too deep for me, its just the 10 foot climb out and off camber right hand turn at the top. I saddle up and crank my Scotts Steering Damper to 11… ok maybe 9, pop the clutch and ride in. Now this is a good but amateur move if I can explain. Cranking the damper stabilized me in the water hitting the rocks but not when you need to throw the bars to the right quickly. As I come up the embankment I forget about the nice sharp right hand turn and quickly have to throw the bike down. It’s fine, my bike likes to sleep after a nice dip. We all have a good laugh and are really getting into the trip now. It’s a good mix of trails!

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1268.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1270.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1271.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znCm5cU-s6c


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSLguo8Gy58

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/74.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/79.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/82.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/83.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/89.jpg

[deadly99]

:lurk:

[Rocket Ship]

Yep, I've got a Scott's too, and very quickly learned that it's a double edged sword. It does make it more stable when hitting things you can't see, but it also prevents you from manoevering as and when needed. When off-road, I leave it turned down. I turn it up a bit on high speed gravel. Whenever I forget to turn it back down again, hilarity ensues.

Don't feel bad about that sign. I asked my wife who is french, and her mother who is a french teacher, and neither of them know what it means either. The french dialects in Quebec... frankly they piss me off as I was taught proper french.

Did the motorcycle hitch rack make it? That's what I want to know! :Wow1:

[ini88]

Yep, I've got a Scott's too, and very quickly learned that it's a double edged sword. It does make it more stable when hitting things you can't see, but it also prevents you from manoevering as and when needed. When off-road, I leave it turned down. I turn it up a bit on high speed gravel. Whenever I forget to turn it back down again, hilarity ensues.

Did the motorcycle hitch rack make it? That's what I want to know! :Wow1:

Yeah i usually use the Scotts cranked up at high speed and off at low speed trail riding. But this was the first water crossing of the day and it was early. I didn't want to take a dive and suffer the rest of the day. Also popping a wheelie out of the water up the hill doesn't help steering! hahaha.

After the Discovery went through the water with the hitch on we decided to strap it too the roof. Its ease of mind to know you have a way out if the trail gets too insane. We only used it late at night when we drove back on the road from the tip of Gaspe. I was dead beat from the two days and a good 3-4 hour drive to the tip and some beers really set me back. I passed out in the Discovery right away.

[eleblanc]

Jarek,Did you like all the type of road you saw? It is a paradise for offroading, you only saw the tip of the icebirg, you didnt get all the way to the federal park in the high mountains?If you plan a trip again let me know I will try to make it, if it is during the summer,i'll try to have my guide with us.

[Kkilo1323]

Awesome!

[pattro]

great read! It looks like some really fun tracks too

[Cris_rrc]

The response so far from everyone has been great! I think we need to organize a 5 man group next time of trucks and motorcycles and finish the trail! Anyone interested in early spring time next year? :) "The Great Gaspé Crossing Part II"



Hi Dan I just read the full report great trip , maybe next time I can tag along in another bike , I just got a BMW K100rs it wont make it out there is a touring bike but I can trade it for a older KLR or something like that ....man I will give my first born to be there :smiley_drive:..... worst comes to worst I'll be a navigator and medic I used to be a EMT and ER emergency tech at Chilton hospital :)

[ini88]

Hi Dan I just read the full report great trip , maybe next time I can tag along in another bike , I just got a BMW K100rs it wont make it out there is a touring bike but I can trade it for a older KLR or something like that ....man I will give my first born to be there :smiley_drive:..... worst comes to worst I'll be a navigator and medic I used to be a EMT and ER emergency tech at Chilton hospital :)

Hey Cris! I need to finish the second half of the first day and the second day. :)

Nice BMW you got there! Trade it up and get a KLR or DRZ and take it up with us next time for sure!

[deadly99]

From a trip we did in June of 2008....way too early in the year at the higher elevations :Wow1:

We did get across but only because I am so stubborn :wings:


http://64.136.20.22/2386571_l.JPG


http://64.136.20.22/2386570_l.JPG

Shoot me an email when you decide to go back....I have some unfinished business there :ylsmoke:

[ini88]

I picked my bike up and we headed off into the deep canyon. It started getting darker and wetter. I noticed the trails looked to be saturated a lot more as we carried on. Moss was on everything and the trees started to change.


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1277


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1278


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1279



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Indge1dqQTw


The trail split up ahead. Motorcycles and ATVs on the left and it looked Trucks had to dip into the river and drive upstream. Jarek told me to go ahead and we would meet where the trails connected. I head up to the left to find out this was not even meant for motorcycles let alone people with two legs! I was pushing and rocking my bike back and forth to get through the mud and trenches. Sadly no photos of this as I couldn’t even get off the bike to get a photo. I could hear Jarek’s truck down to the right gurgling through the water. I didn’t want him to think I was stuck and I also didn’t want him to need help and I wouldn’t be there so I think we both pushed through as quick as we could to meet back up.

We came together about 100 yards down the trail. What a relief! It was a nice area that reminded me of something out of FernGully and Avatar. Moss everywhere. Trees holding onto that last big of soil as the waters tried to wash them away.


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/92.jpg


I had to stop and take a cool Instagram moss photo!
http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/95.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/97.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1289


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1291


This trail lead us to a bridge that was out. This bridge looked to be out for some time and there seemed to be a water cross to the right. It was a steep right hand turn down a hill into a shallow creek bed with a large uphill out. I learned my lesson from the last time and cranked the steering damper back as this looked like an easy crossing.


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/99.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/101.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/102.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/103.jpg


Jarek drove through it not problem. I could sense he was really digging this trip right about now and was looking for a good challenge…



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnj4qp7qeoc


…Well he got just that! After a light water crossing and broken bridge we happen to come across another similar situation but this made the previous obstacles look like a walk in the park. Trust me, photos & videos do not do it justice at all. There was a “rickety homemade, drunken Canadian, half put together something-you-call-it to get over a creek/waterfall bridge” that was washed out in front of us.


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1306.jpg


I looked at Ryan, Ryan looked at Jarek and Jarek looked at me with a very perplexed look in his eyes. You see, many of you know Jarek, many of you don’t. But in all my years out in the bush with him I have yet to see him nervous about an obstacle that is in his way of going further down the trail. He honestly looked very nervous which in turn made me nervous which sent Ryan running into the woods to relieve himself. There was really no way to turn around. The trail was so tight and there was a 50 foot drop on the right with an old car from the 1950s rolled onto its roof. Was this the last person to see this trail? Was this the person that made the “rickety homemade, drunken Canadian, half put together something-you-call-it to get over a creek/waterfall bridge?”


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1300.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1301.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1302.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1303.jpg



I think this was the first time Ryan said to me “I think we need to turn back” and I said “You should have brought walking shoes because its about 30 miles out.”

The 3 of us pushed the bike over the logs and up the embankment. We looked at the bridge for about 30 minutes before Jarek disappeared behind his truck. Is he walking back? Is he hiding and crying..?

All the sudden 2-stroke smoke filled the air and the smell brought smiles to our faces. Looks like my KTM wasn’t the only 1 cylinder we brought along! Jarek got his lumberjack on and wasn’t about to drive 14 hours from NJ to Gaspé to lay up and go home. He started chain sawing down old trees and Ryan and I started collecting all the wood we could get to make this bridge that would have to support 8000lbs. We even got out the sand ladders!


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1304.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1309.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1314.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1315.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/106.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/107.jpg



The first attempt wasn’t good. Ryan was pointing him to the left but Jarek was looking to get his driver’s side tire on the sand ladder. This was setting him crooked and he had to back up and reposition the passenger side sand ladder for the second attempt. He slowly crawled the front of the Discovery over and we knew once the front was up we were good, because if the rear slipped in then we could at least winch the truck up and out. As the front came up Jarek punched it up the hill and all our worries disappeared. It felt good. Felt like we were making some serious progress now. Nothing was holding us back.... Nothing yet.

[GREENI]

Following this with anticipation !

[Cris_rrc]

Will love to go there 5 guys rent an RV with a trailer and 5 enduros on it

[Jarek M]

Bridge crossing video


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnyqi-ckDkg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX0nCICcO8I

[ini88]

Bridge crossing video (coming)

Yeah my version keeps crashing when i upload it to Youtube. I may have to get my SD card back from you and download it and try it again.

[Jarek M]

that's a good one

[ini88]

We continued on and noticed we started to climb up a lot of muddy hills. It was narrow and we followed a trail that hugged the cliff on the right. Climbing out of the ravine mile by mile, the trees started to thin out and we could see the sun break through the pines. We started to see other hills spike up from below. At last we came out. We were on another logging trail and it was mid-day. We were all well beaten and lunch was past due.


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1323.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1328.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1335.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1338.jpg


We pulled over to scarf down some lunch. Jarek bought some canned calamari earlier in the day and while we stared at it in wonder & hunger we thought it best to try it once we got out to a nearby town. None of us needed to come down with instant food poising for the rest of the night.


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/108.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/109.jpg


After lunch we mostly drove through an enormous network of logging roads and secondary trails. We would cruise some at 70+ mph, while others would lead to dead ends and we would have to head back the way we just came down for miles. It was becoming a little bit discouraging. We felt like we are making good progress towards the halfway point but time after time we were being denied by trails fading into the woods to never be seen again. The GPS devices we were using would sometimes show a path and other times would show nothing.


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1355.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1356.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1359.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1360.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/112.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/116.jpg


The sun lingered over the hills and we could see our shadows growing longer and longer as we tried to cover more ground. Fuel was getting low and we knew we had to break camp soon before the bears and moose ate us! Plus we had 2 bottles of French Canadian wine that was begging to be had.

[DividingCreek]

come on guys post more

[ini88]

come on guys post more

I know, I know! im slow! I will finish it.

[Viggen]

The response so far from everyone has been great! I think we need to organize a 5 man group next time of trucks and motorcycles and finish the trail! Anyone interested in early spring time next year? :) "The Great Gaspé Crossing Part II"

Im rigless (and out of the country for a year) but would love to do this sometime. The rig situation will be rectified when I get back to the States but it wont be next Spring unfortunately.


I know, I know! im slow! I will finish it.

Love reading this kind of stuff. The breaking of trails and pushing through is awesome. Not to downgrade any stuff that is usually posted up but this is so much better than the two track that everyone has driven down for the past 20 years trip report. A real "expedition" where work is required to get through. Awesome.

[rydz]

wow,all this right in my backyard! Guys if you go back and I can swing the time off,please let me know,I would love to join you.

[ini88]

Im rigless (and out of the country for a year) but would love to do this sometime. The rig situation will be rectified when I get back to the States but it wont be next Spring unfortunately.

Love reading this kind of stuff. The breaking of trails and pushing through is awesome. Not to downgrade any stuff that is usually posted up but this is so much better than the two track that everyone has driven down for the past 20 years trip report. A real "expedition" where work is required to get through. Awesome.

Thanks Viggen! When you come back to the states, get a nice diesel powered truck and come up with us on PART II!

We like doing some tough driving, puzzle solving and bridge building. Its like a game of Chutes and Ladders. Makes the trip that much more challenging.

[ini88]

wow,all this right in my backyard! Guys if you go back and I can swing the time off,please let me know,I would love to join you.

You have a very fun backyard! I wish I lived up there. Will let you know about PART II. So far the Discovery has had a Merc Diesel conversion. And I am going to put a 300tdi into my Defender soon.

[Danny Lee]

I am a new member, just joined today! THIS IS THE MOST AWESOME TRIP I HAVE SEEN. PHENOMONAL DISCOVERY AND AWESOME BIKE. LOVED THE PART ABOUT THE BRIDGE OUT AND THE OOLD CAR AT THE BOTTOM. Made me wonder if there was a skelton still in the car!

[ini88]

I am a new member, just joined today! THIS IS THE MOST AWESOME TRIP I HAVE SEEN. PHENOMONAL DISCOVERY AND AWESOME BIKE. LOVED THE PART ABOUT THE BRIDGE OUT AND THE OOLD CAR AT THE BOTTOM. Made me wonder if there was a skelton still in the car!

Thanks Danny! You inspired me to pick up where I left off and finish the report this week. I swear there will be an ending to this story soon. :)

[Viggen]

Thanks Viggen! When you come back to the states, get a nice diesel powered truck and come up with us on PART II!

We like doing some tough driving, puzzle solving and bridge building. Its like a game of Chutes and Ladders. Makes the trip that much more challenging.

Absolutely. Already planning what I am going to be building next and it will be diesel powered like the 60 was. Im sure I could cut out some time to have some fun pushing through with you guys. How wide were the tracks?

[ini88]

How wide were the tracks? Some of the tracks were straight up bush wacking. One of them was about 50 yards long and I almost couldn't ride the bike though it! So yeah... some trails will be very tight but 90% are wide enough for the trucks.

[Viggen]

That sounds like fun. Kind of like the ATV trail only means fold your mirrors saying. Dont mind a few scratches.

[Jarek M]

Couple of shots to motivate Dan! nothing ahead of the story line, :ylsmoke:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/058.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/125.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/066.jpg

[ini88]

haha, Thanks Jarek! Sadly I am stuck at work this weekend getting a presentation together for next week. I will finish it next week when this is all over. promise!

[ini88]

We kept pace to get as far into the peninsula as we could. We didn’t take any shortcuts or anything off the main path because we knew we were seriously behind schedule to reach the end by tomorrow. The iPad was estimating that we were only about a quarter of the way across and I know on all 3 of us kept thinking we would see some major logging trail just shoot straight over the hills so we could make up some serious ground. Sadly most of the major trials would stop or eventually be too covered to pass through. This was a very hard part in the trip because we would see trails up ahead but had no way to get to them. Yes we could have bush-wacked through but would we make it? Would we spend 5 hours building another bridge? Would something bad happen without any help around? Remember, we had to be at work on Tuesday!

At one point we found ourselves on this very promising trail that looked like it would lead us right to the mid-way point where a large road cuts up through the peninsula from the South. This was going to be our fuel point but after driving on that trail for miles on end it happen to be a dead end. So we found ourselves rushing back to find another way around. This seemed to be happening more and more. We were getting tired of not knowing this system of roads and interconnecting trails. We were playing a bad game with ourselves.

"Should we take this trail? It looks clear on the map?"
"I have no idea, The last 3 looked clear!"

The KTM's red fuel light kicked on so we decided to push on and cover some ground. I had about a half gallon of fuel left. This was September so the sun hung in the sky as long as it could so we used what little time we had and burned straight north. I was leading and carrying a good pace at around 60mph. The sunlight would flicker through the trees and impair my vision as it would pierce through my goggles. I wish I had a sun vision like the boys did in the truck behind me. The bike was handling great and I was surprised to see I could carry on another 30 miles before we pulled over to fill up.

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1366.jpg


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1367.jpg

Jarek pulled out the siphon tube…. Hmmm, taste like chicken!



http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1370.jpg

The long shadows gave us a good warning of how much time we had before we needed to set up camp



http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1375.jpg

Tasty shrooms for dessert? Hmmmm lets pass this time.


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1378.jpg


I know it’s not just me, but the feeling of having a full tank is amazing. You kind of feel like you can ride forever. Its funny too because my Defender has a 15 gallon tank and sadly my KTM has a 3 gallon tank and will still go farther. Jarek’s Discovery had about a quarter of a tank left of fuel and we decided to press on and fill it up later tomorrow.

We took off again and this time happen to be on the northern side of the peninsula. We climbed wide logging roads further and further up. Everything around us felt like it was just falling off the side of the road. We could now see how vast this place was.


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1384.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1379.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1380.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1381.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/photo2.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/124.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/125.jpg

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/123.jpg

The three of us.

[ini88]

We found a nice turn off from the main logging road we have been following for the last... god knows what. The trail went down this hill and leveled off into this nice open area with lots of cover around us. There was a stream just off the cliff that we could see. Soon all the camping gear, tables, chairs came out and we got to work setting up our home for the night. We noticed there were not a lot of dead trees, logs or anything of that nature around. Mostly fresh, vibrant vegetation. We got a little fire going for what we could find around us. Ryan and I got out the chainsaw and flashlights and headed up the trail to see what we could find. There were some down trees and we needed to saw them up before we could carry them out of the thick forest. We made that walk back and forth about 5 times dragging the long trees behind us. I could not tell you how beat I was trying to gather all that firewood after riding the KTM all day long, and I know Ryan was feeling the same.

Barbara, Jarek’s wife packed us with soups, breads, and Polish goods. My good friend just got back from Taiwan and she gave me these lemon cakes that were insanely packed with calories, I ate about 5 of them. She also gave me some soup with dehydrated beef in it! It is illegal in the States to have this so they sneak them over. That stuff tasted great! We ate everything up and broke out the French Canadian wine. Jarek and I thought about eating the canned calamari but once again wanted to wait till we saw a paved road to eat that.

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1425.jpg

Camp.


http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1424.jpg

Taiwanese beef soup!


As the sun finally set behind the hills we could feel the cold setting in. The fire could not get hot enough to keep us from putting on more layers. The wine started to kick in as we passed around our camera’s to see what we just did 8 hours ago. I always fine it funny how caught up we can be in something so fun and excited. I just road a backbreaking 12 hours and now I want to see the evidence of it, haha?

The one thing we didn’t do was talk in-depth about how tomorrow would play out. I think deep in the back of all our minds, we knew we would not make it to the halfway point. Fuel was low and we weren’t even close to where we had to be. We basically agreed to think about it in the morning after we sobered up.

http://www.defender916.com/Gaspe/Images/IMG_1419.jpg

Goodnight.

[Jarek M]

This is our first days track, also showing massive, time costly but very scenic dead end.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/9ca39231.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/e79d64ee.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/7d932ab8.jpg

[rydz]

Absolutely great pics and adventure,if you guys are going again around the same time next year,please do let me know.

If required I can tag along with a M101 trailer in order to carry the additional gas cans and extra's if you think it can pass through.

How much fuel to do you think it would take to complete the trip your guys had mapped? My cruiser holds 80L of diesel and I can carry 40L on the rack or a bunch in the trailer.(dont like having the fuel in the car). and I would probably remove the RTT as punching through forest would probably tear the tent to bits,just take along a ground tent.

Pardon my french but this looks way to kick *** to leave alone.Let me know

Paulo

[Jarek M]

I had 25g in the tank and 15g on the roof this would get me to the half way point where there was gas available, but I gave one can to Dan for his KTM.
Now all the extra gas on the roof was "just in case gas", 25g in the tank was supposed to get us 150m to half way point, well it didn't. The other " half of the route is 300+ miles long!!! Do the math....
And the trailer woul be a pain to get through there.

[rydz]

Hello again

So you figured about 40 G to the halfway point,with your Gas power plant,presently with Diesel Mercedes power you would probably have plenty with the 25 in the tank?

Well let me know if and when you guys want to have another go.

thanks

Paulo

[ini88]

We should really call that gas station at the midway point and make sure they have Diesel before we attempt it again! 40G/150L would be on the safe size.

It is very hard to judge, because we would drive for miles to get to a dead end and have to turn around. But I feel the second time will be better as we will have more trucks to forge a path and help winch each other through. We would have plowed through the unknown if we had a second vehicle with us. One truck with a back up motorcycle and we had to play it somewhat safe. Stuck/broken truck and we are screwed.

I think we should set up a list of who is in for next time!

[Jarek M]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/photo-2.png

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/115.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Basia678/Gaspe/111.jpg

[rydz]

Well guys

super interesting trip,and it would be neat to try to complete the adventure,def keep me in the loop,especially if you go again in september or october ect,I am sure there are a few canuks that would to try to be a part of this.

Looking forward to hearing back on this subject one day

Best

Paulo

[Viggen]

Blocked by squatters? As in, they stood out in front of your truck as you came down a public (right?) trail? Interesting.

[Jarek M]

We come around the bend and there it is... an old trailer sitting in the middle of the trail. No wheels, up on some stands with full blown hunting camp around it. We come out of the Disco to inspect if there is enough space to squeeze through the encampment to the other side, but this action only produced couple of drunk French only speaking gentleman out of the trailer. After cooling of form the initial shock of visitors they seemed to become completely consumed with the awesomeness of the "pinch to zoom" function of our iPod navigation software displaying satellite picture of our location. Well, after about 10 minutes we sensed that there was no useful information forthcoming, we decided to find another way round. In the end it cost us 35 miles and 3 hours, which oddly enough is what we were short at the end to reach the mid point and realistic goal of this trip. It was awesome!!!

[Viggen]

Haha, thats great. My first irrational thought wouldve been to drive through the trailer. Always wanted to do that.

[Mikes_Land_Rover]

Looks like a great trip.:bowdown:
Excellent photos& write-up.:)

[Barrows]

Thanks for the great read.