The day continued with a run around the top of a very steep left-side embankment, the choppy trail winding its way through volcanic rock, tall dried
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| About halfway through the day the trail became a bit tedious, theclassic Wagoneer directly in front providing more of my interest thanthe surrounding scenery. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
grass, hopelessly parched jack pine and, you guessed it, fine, silty dust. About halfway through the day the trail became a bit tedious, the classic Wagoneer directly in front providing more of my interest than the surrounding scenery.
An enjoyable box lunch at the edge of the steepest grassy meadow I can remember dining next to broke up the monotony, accompanied by Kaden questioning when we were going to get there ever ten minutes or so, and we were off to the other side of the mountain. It's amazing how large a mountain can seem when only attaining 5 mph top speeds, but slowly, steadily we make progress, with the occasional
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| After climbing one of the steepest grades I've ever attempted in a vehicle without tracks, we reached close to the summit of the mountain we'd spent nearly an entire day traversing. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
rock or tree situated dangerously close to the trail... well at least dangerous to each vehicle's shiny paint job.
After climbing one of the steepest grades I've ever attempted in a vehicle without tracks, made more complicated by loose "baby head" sized stones, an old term my Dad always used to describe large rocks on gravel roads, before the words "politically correct" were transformed into the most annoying phrase of the 20th century, we reached close to the summit of the mountain we'd spent nearly an entire day traversing. Knowing now that the worse was behind me I was left with a melancholy feeling, part gratitude to be heading back to a comfortable room with ashower, soap and shampoo, as well as an end to Kaden's need for an ETA, put also part disappointment that the day's 4x4ing would soon be over and I'd have to climb back into my long-term Mitsubishi-built soft-roader for the long journey home the following day.
