February 2011 Club Adventure - Calgary

[jaggedfish]

On February 12, 2011 we had a Calgary chapter adventure out to the Ghost/Waiparous Valley in the foothills of the Rockies east of Cochrane, Alberta. We had 6 Delicas and one Pajero along for our play day in the snow.

In the morning we attempted the Trans Alta Road which was plowed for quite a way in but then we were stopped by a deep snow drift on the road - the wind thru that area is very strong and gusty and the roads drift over quickly. There were some good opportunities for a little test of the 4WD capabilites after which I managed to break the transfer case shifter in my bus.

We stopped and had lunch in a relatively sheltered area near a frozen river and circled the wagons for a break and a bite to eat. During our lunch session, NoDelie and Madmazda lent a hand while I took apart my t-case shifter and was able to get my bus out of 4WD locked. A BIG thanks to them, especially NoDelie for having his brand new set of tools along.

After lunch we headed into Waiparous Valley for more adventures. Carp lead us out into the back woods in some deep snow for quite a way and it was a ton of fun for guys, gals and kids alike!

Here's some pics from the day...

Carp leading the group into the Ghost area

CarpLeading-web.JPG (253.12 KiB) Viewed 6684 times

The rest of the gang follows Carp into the Ghost area.

DelicaTrain-web.JPG (235.4 KiB) Viewed 6684 times

Madmazda treking along the side of the Trans Alta Road.

Madmazda-web.JPG (233.96 KiB) Viewed 6684 times

The wagons circled for lunch.

WagonCircle-web.JPG (207.66 KiB) Viewed 6684 times

Everyone enjoys lunch in the sun.

LunchTime-web.JPG (200.16 KiB) Viewed 6684 times

[jaggedfish]

The afternoon...

A very happy Delica owner... Dennis is smiling on the way thru Waiparous Valley

HappyDennis-web.JPG (216.16 KiB) Viewed 6683 times

Another happy Delica owner... Brandon attemps a hill climb.

HappyBrandon-web.JPG (188.76 KiB) Viewed 6683 times

Yet another happy Delica owner... John buries his bus in a drifted area and prepares for recovery.

JohnStuck-web.JPG (222.02 KiB) Viewed 6683 times

A BIG thanks to all who came out! We look forward to the next adventure!

[Mbryant]

Looked like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing the photos and story.

[madmazda]

I had an absolute blast.... i now know I need new tires for the snow some good years next year for sure Ian i hope you get a new 4x4 shifter before out next exploration for sure thanks all for a wonderful day

[JHelzer]

Thanks again for a great time everyone!

Is the Delica capable of making it the rest of the way up the Waiparous Trail to the waterfall? We aren't ready to head out on our own yet, but if anyone wants to try and make it further in, let us know if you want company! Sara is already talking about how we should go out next weekend. I think she's hooked.


The 2.5L Club


Stopping for a photo op


Sara trying out the Beast


Circled for Lunch

Looking at these pictures...she needs a bath.

The Bus, not the Wife

[jaggedfish]

Thanks for posting pics John!

Don't think I will be able to get out this coming weekend... the honey-do list is calling. Would definitely love to get back out there again soon though. I wouldn't recommend doing that trip solo but I definitely think we could've gone further if we had time.

Another note... while we were out in Waiparous we ran into some of the guys from the Calgary Jeep Association. They had some really nice rigs! We had a good chat with the guys and it turned out we had seen them before out in McLean Creek last summer where they were extracting a dumped vehicle to keep the park clean (two thumbs up on that!). We had a bit of a laugh together as they made the little hill climb (the one with Brandon pictured) look easy - someone in our group said "yeah, but you can't sleep in those". Was all in good humour. It seems as though they appreciated our buses... http://forum.calgaryjeep.com/index.php?topic=21414.0 I was definitely inspired by their on-board ARB compressors... might have to get one of those...

[mararmeisto]

For those that didn't follow the link to the Jeep forum - do it, it's good for a laugh. "Came around the corner and it looked like I'd driven into the mall parking lot, what with all the minivans!" Ha!

Looks like it was a good ride - too bad I don't live on the continent with the rest of the nation. I'd like to make it to more of these western-Canada gatherings.

[NoDelie]

I had a great time out in the snow. I now know how the little pj works in the snow. As far as I am concerned it ran great. Also glad to every one had a great time. And all went in and all came out together. Glad to help as Iam glad to see every one help each other out. Next time I will try to get the girlfriend to come along. For the next road trip. Got a big laught out of the jeep club comments. New tires and an air pump should do the trick on the snow. Thanks for letting the little pj roll with the group.

[jaggedfish]

Well, it wasn't a stretch to have your PJ along for the ride NoDelie... enjoyed having you with us. Unfortunately, your ride doesn't appear in too many photos.... that's because it's in more of the videos! I am sifting thru all the footage Linda and I took that day and am hoping to put together a video to show some of the action very soon. As for bringing the GF along... the more the merrier!

Can't help but have a laugh at the Jeep guys' comments... all in good fun. A little sportsman-like ribbing is what keeps us all smiling. They did seem genuinely impressed.

[Carp]

Hey John, we are not sure what the conditions will be this weekend but if Dee Dee and I go out, we will invite you along.

Dennis

[JHelzer]

No pressure Dennis. Anytime you two want some company for a day trip (and weekends come warmer weather) feel free to give me a buzz.

John

[madmazda]

yes me too ....

[jaggedfish]

We may also be up for a trek this weekend now if others are going out. It all hinges on my new transfer case shifter arriving today (friday) from Coombs Country Auto. I will check back later and see if anything is happening. Would be awesome fun to get back out there again.

Cheers!
Ian

[jaggedfish]

Well I finally managed to edit the video footage from this adventure. This was the first time messing with my GoPro and am still learning editing techniques and filming techniques. The quality of this is a bit diappointing but I think it's because of the default footage interpretation in Adobe Elements. Should be 16:9 at 1.21 pixel ratio I think (for those who know editing). I will look at this and try to upload a better version later but wanted to share the video anyway. Hope you enjoy it...



Cheers!
Ian

[CREGAN]

Very cool. That is some sweet one-handed freestyle 4x4-ing you did! Future x-games event I think. Hope to someday meet up with the southern chapter because you guys look like you have a lot of fun.

Craig