The gears are in Motion!

[Rally_T-115]

Well my dad was able to get Victoria Day off from work, so he's coming with me up the James Bay Road.

Originally I was planning a quick trip from Ottawa to the Rupert River and back, over the Victoria Day weekend, in order to see the rapids cranked right up at full power. I was originally going to drive up saturday morning, but now we are going to:

Leave Ottawa friday evening, sprint up to and spend friday night in Val-d'Or, get to Matagami saturday morning, leisurly saunter up the JBR aiming to arrive in Radisson saturday evening, spend saturday night in Radisson, on Sunday do the LG-2 tour, side track to Chisasibi and James Bay, sprint back down the JBR spending sunday night in Matagami, and then go home on monday.

What do you think of this schedule? Any adjustments suggested? The accomodations in Val-d'Or have already been booked. Still have to book Radisson for saturday night and Matagami for sunday night.

Friday night and Sunday look rushed but that's because I want to take my time on saturday. I'm not sure if my dad will attempt Mount Laurier, but certainly want to go to the ridge at km 161, maybe walk the trail at the Broadback River, DEFINITLEY do the full deal at the Rupert River (this will be the longest stop of the day), maybe quick stops at Jolicouer, Eastmain, and Opinaca rivers, Old Factory Lake looks interesting, and the Radisson dump for bears?

Sunday would be the LG-2 tour and sidetrip to James Bay and then sprint back down to Matagami, maybe if we ran out of time on some things on saturday we'll stop on the way down on sunday otherwise, boot it to matagami to sleep.

Thoughts?

Thanks
James

[LONGROADS]

Sounds like a great trip!

[Rally_T-115]

Ok, we're leaving friday evening! But my dad has been bugging me for a list of stuff to bring.

I just went over my Suzuki GrandVitara (I'm a mechanic), everything is tip top, I don't forsee any problems, I have 4 new tires, well new since january and they still look new, besides I'm not going on the TransTaiga, front end is tight, no leaks anywhere.

So far I have on my list bug spray, bug nets, a cooler with a few big bottles of water, tylenol, antacid, cameras (video and digital still), a whole bunch of tunes, other than that, I dunno what else. Windbreakers and sweatshirts?

We're staying in hotels at night. Gas cans are not needed unless the gas station at Km 381 plans to be closed. (I can do 600km/tank highway metrage if I keep my foot out of it.) Plenty of facilities on the James Bay Road if the pressures below arise...

My dad is wondering if he should rent a satellite phone. He asked me earlier and I said "nah". But then I saw what little is on the list and now I'm thinking, "eh, why not."

Any more ideas?