View Full Version : Ice Road Trucker...sort of
red lake
02-23-2010, 11:37 PM
So starting this weekend I will be taking a truck up the ice road to a reserve up north. Bringing groceries and whatnot to a store up there.
Work all day then drive 6 hours in the remote wilderness through the frozen muskeg and across frozen lakes. Unload then head straight back.
Night time temperatures are around -30C this time of year so I need to be prepared in the event of a break down.
I'll put together a kit for the drive and include some of the basics. Looking forward to the adventure and I am confident I could spend a night (or two) out there alone if the need arises. Still debating on weather I should pack a rifle with me.
klkak
02-23-2010, 11:48 PM
Your in a truck why not take a gun. It's not like the extra weight is going to be a burden.
Might I suggest taking the best cold weather sleeping bag you can get your hands on and a heavy wool blanket, as well as a buddy heater with extra fuel. Make sure you crack the window a bit if you use the heater though.
crashdive123
02-23-2010, 11:55 PM
I thought you were the dispatcher. Short handed?
Review your life insurance policy. Just sayin'. :innocent:
welderguy
02-24-2010, 12:44 AM
Review your life insurance policy. Just sayin'. :innocent:
Well thats a comfort to hear !
I agree with klkak, take a firearme along , it never hurts to have something your not going to use than need it and not have it.
Have a safe trip , fill us in on the experiance when you get back.
Well thats a comfort to hear !
That's me! Ken, a/k/a Your Comforting Comp......... wait a minute, that's another guy here. Never mind. :innocent:
Boker
02-24-2010, 02:02 AM
Pack the biggest you can carry::::::
http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/50608527.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=E41C9FE5C4AA0A1404C66AA40D5E14CCF4A45820561DF1E8 33B6397C4E95C6F2B01E70F2B3269972
You might toss in some hand warmers like Little Hotties. They last about 8 hours and they are pretty inexpensive. The gun is a good, too. You never know when you might have to hoof it for help.
cyc79
02-24-2010, 11:42 AM
Good luck on the trip & please let us know how it went.
I've often thought that taking someone along that likes walking would be a real asset if you break down.Then you can stay cozy by the fire till he gets back with help.:)
hunter63
02-24-2010, 11:44 AM
Good luck, on your trip...They make TV shows about stuff like that, you know.
I vote rifle, and am surprised that you even wondered about it.
Justin Case
02-24-2010, 12:15 PM
sounds like an adventure,, from watching the TV show,, My Advice is , Don't Stop On the Ice !:)
Red knows what to do you guys, but from personal experience, I'd take a rifle and someone with a treaty number, know what I mean RL? Opportunities may abound. Or, let me phrase it another way. I've been feasting on caribou for the last two weeks thanks to someone with a treaty number.
Red knows what to do you guys, but from personal experience, I'd take a rifle and someone with a treaty number, know what I mean RL? Opportunities may abound. Or, let me phrase it another way. I've been feasting on caribou for the last two weeks thanks to someone with a treaty number.
Good advice, Trax. Eat caribou - Not squirrel. :)
Good advice, Trax. Eat caribou - Not squirrel. :)
a) no comparison in taste, caribou hands down
b) takes an awful lot of squirrels to make up the quantity of one caribou, heck for that matter it takes a few just to make up the quantity of one good caribou steak.
Ken, you want me to go on a bit about how good the friend caribou strips with fried eggs was for breakfast this morning? I know you just love it when I discuss that sort of thing.
Ken, you want me to go on a bit about how good the friend caribou strips with fried eggs was for breakfast this morning? I know you just love it when I discuss that sort of thing.
Talk about food? Yes! :blushing: Side of English muffins, some good strong coffee........ :tongue_smilie:
red lake
02-24-2010, 07:46 PM
Trax, I know what you mean, but don't think I would actually do that.
So .30-30, .22 or 12 ga.? I am thinking the .22 just for plinking rabbits or grouse.
As far as the rest of the gear, I got that covered.
My sons both have treaty rights, so you know....I'm ok with them doing the hunting in certain places and certain times of year. You're probably good to go with the .22, again my experience on similar roads says go easy and don't say whoa in a bad spot.
red lake
02-24-2010, 07:50 PM
I thought you were the dispatcher. Short handed?
Not a dispatcher really, but this is a side job. Like the 50 or so hours a week is not enough for me:huh:
crashdive123
02-24-2010, 08:33 PM
Well - enjoy it and stay safe.
oldsoldier
02-25-2010, 06:44 AM
Redlake.... IF you are operating in the united states ( alaska?) FMCSR ( federal motor carrier saftey regulations) state ( I can't remember the #) " You are NOT allowed to carry any type of firearm/dangerous weapon up to and including stun guns, mace, nightsticks, swords, bows/arrows, explosive devices,or any other item that can cause bodily harm. With the exception of Items that are a part of your freight and are listed on the bills of lading. These Items MUST be as freight and properly stored in the cargo area of the unit. Violation of this rule can/will lead to suspension of your CDL ( license), Fines of up to $10,000.00, imprisonment up to 5 years, OR all of the above.
If you are in canada the rules MAY be different. So word of advice leave the rifle at home.
red lake
02-25-2010, 08:28 AM
Roads aren't part of the government highway system. All private.
And I am in Canada.
oldsoldier
02-25-2010, 01:16 PM
Roads aren't part of the government highway system. All private.
And I am in Canada.
In that case you should be okay transporting a firearm.
red lake
02-25-2010, 10:09 PM
Did I mention I was in Canada, home of the Women's Olympic Hockey Champions for the third Olympics in a row?
Nope. You didn't mention that, eh.
red lake
02-25-2010, 10:47 PM
The medals in other events are nice, but all any Canadian really wants is Gold in both hockey events.
crashdive123
02-25-2010, 11:11 PM
Congrats to my Canadian friends.
oldsoldier
02-26-2010, 02:50 AM
Did I mention I was in Canada, home of the Women's Olympic Hockey Champions for the third Olympics in a row?
No BUT:clap::clap:Congradulations to them:clap::clap:
nell67
02-26-2010, 08:26 AM
Congratulations to the Hockey teams,but even more so to Joanie Rochette,who won a bronze medal while skating through the heart ache of losing her mother just 4 days ago.
Yeah, they were swilling Molson and smokin' blunts. WooHoo
crashdive123
02-26-2010, 08:10 PM
Yeah, they were swilling Molson and smokin' blunts. WooHoo
and the PC Police made them apologize. When I saw it I thought - Way to go girls!
red lake
02-27-2010, 11:52 AM
Yeah nobody here seems to care they were drinking beer.
Yeah, they were swilling Molson and smokin' blunts. WooHoo
hmmm, a bunch of mostly attractive, twenty-something world class level female athletes all out of breath and sweaty getting drunk & stoned together....were ya feelin' left out Rick? (all perspective brother...it's all perspective, lol)
That was a good WooHoo not a sarcastic WooHoo. I'm for 'em!
That was a good WooHoo not a sarcastic WooHoo. I'm for 'em!
Oh me too, but I felt... (never mind Nell's gonna be reading this, let's just say I have no interest in partying with the men's team) I heard that some of officialdom wanted to boot them out of the Olympic village for that. If you want to punish someone that way, don't you do it before they've won gold medals? Cuz I'm pretty sure they would have said, yeah we'll go, but the medals are coming with us.
The Olympics great downfall is that the entire event is run by (shudder) committees.
http://www.doggiedeliveries.com/images/doghouse400.jpg
What's the difference? Everyone else does it after the fact. I mean, it's just a bunch of sweaty girls getting drunk....I'll be back. I need to turn the thermostat down. It got warm in here for some reason.
red lake
02-27-2010, 05:16 PM
You should have seen the medal ceremony with the two Canadian Bob Sled teams. I swear those two girls (hot) were a heartbeat away from necking!
Yes very warm.
Anyways, back from my trip. First 110km took 1.5 hours the last 120km...4.5 hours. At times 10 km/h was WAY too fast. I'll have pictures soon.
red lake
02-27-2010, 05:43 PM
Sunrise north of the 52nd parallel.
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs475.snc3/26042_375634334407_794809407_5176955_4914739_n.jpg
Ice Road. 300 feet wide and smooth as glass.
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs475.snc3/26042_375634319407_794809407_5176954_5784726_n.jpg
Shot of the road. Road really resembled moguls at times. Not bumpy, lumpy, tossing the truck violently from side to side.
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs455.snc3/26042_375634369407_794809407_5176957_5212783_n.jpg
Didn't get a chance to take good photos because I travelled at night mostly. Roads are harder and easier to see.
Still, those were pretty good. Thanks for sharing. When do you get to sleep? You work all day then drive all night.
crashdive123
02-27-2010, 08:42 PM
Great pics. Thanks for letting us have a look.
hunter63
02-27-2010, 09:17 PM
Very cool pic's, thanks
red lake
02-27-2010, 10:19 PM
Still, those were pretty good. Thanks for sharing. When do you get to sleep? You work all day then drive all night.
Had a 2 hour nap last night in the seat.
Then crashed for three hours after breakfast.
"Uh. That's was our truck that just went by, eh."
"Yep."
"He didn't stop."
"Nope. Probably sound asleep."
"You reckon he'll figure it out, eh?"
"Will when he reaches the end of the lake."
"Sure."
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