NorthWest Overland Rally June 26-29

[rayhyland]

Hey everyone,

I've started planning the NW Overland Rally for 2014.

We had a lot of people from BC convoy down last year, a mixture of Rovers, Unimogs, Delicas, motorbikes, and everything else.

We should again have some new Land Rovers and LRE instructor on hand, for people to try on the off-road course, and of course, it's family and dog friendly, with lots of prizes.

I'd love to see a big Roverlander contingent. And let me know if you want to volunteer, we aways need people to help, to present, or to teach a class.

June 26-29 in Plain WA. It's about a 3 hour drive from the border, (or 4 hours in a series).

Cheers

Ray

[justin_carlson]

Sounds like a lot of fun. As time gets closer, I'd like to try and make the weekend portion of the event.

[StuartL]

Hi Ray,

I definitely plan to attend, in the meantime I am doing the Utah Traverse and then the Overland Expo in May, are you going to be at the Overland Expo this year? Is anyone else going to the EXPO?

Cheers,

[Morgan]

I'm very interested in attending, although I may or may not end up bringing my 109.

[rayhyland]

Hi Ray,

I definitely plan to attend, in the meantime I am doing the Utah Traverse and then the Overland Expo in May, are you going to be at the Overland Expo this year? Is anyone else going to the EXPO?

Cheers,

I don't know if I will make it to the Overland Expo this year, it's gonna be a busy couple of months.

I will pop down for a day or two if I can.

[acg]

I may check out the NW Overland event if my schedule allows. I would love to travel with a group as this will be my first event.

[rayhyland]

We have some new events at the rally this year:
Wine Tasting - One evening we will have a (virtual) tour and a tasting of the wineries around WA and OR
Yoga - Sunrise yoga sessions for anyone who wants a healthy start to the day
Fly Fishing - Early morning fly fishing session with a local WA guide
Mountain Bikes - Looks like Salsa bikes will be on hand with demo bikes and some guided rides
Trail rides - Simple and advanced drives this year
Offroad training course - the course should be better than last year.

And I am sure there's some other stuff I am forgetting.

Cheers

Ray

[FvanWeelderen]

Hi everyone,

Thinking about attending the rally this year - went in 2012 and had a great time. This time looking to add the northern third of the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR) to the begining of the itinerary

The WABDR is a scenic off-road for 4x4 vehicles that runs north to south from Oregon to Canada across the state of Washington. The 575 mile route uses mostly un-paved back roads through the beautiful Cascade Mountains and some arid landscapes of Eastern Washington.

I know some members of the club completed some or all of this in the recent past. Nonetheless, any takers or advice?

[Crs]

Is that nicely graded gravel roads, or 575 miles of serious, winch-tastic fun?

[FvanWeelderen]

Hi Crs,

http://www.backcountrydiscoveryroutes.com/WABDR indicates that "Thr WABDR route is designed to be ridden on adventure and dual-sport motorcycles, as well as driven in 4x4 vehicles. There are no single-track style trails on this route. Many of the roads are in remote areas and reach high elevation areas where road maintenance is minimal or non-existent. You can expect to cover sections of road with deep ruts, loose rocks, sand and other challenges. There are also sections that have steep grades combined with rough surfaces. You may also encounter sections that have trees or branches over the road. Some of the roads are overgrown with foliage, but are passable by both motorcycle and 4x4 vehicles. There are alternate "easier" routes around a few of the most challenging sections. Depending on time of year and weather, there may be a few small shallow water crossings, but none worth worrying about."

Travelling south from Osoyoos tp Cashmere, we would only be traveling a total distance of between 300 and 350 miles (TBC).

[acg]

There are a number of videos on the WABDR:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... very+Route

I would love to do this if my work schedule does not conflict with the dates for this event. Will most likely be going to the NW Overland Rally event. Just getting my Disco lifted and fitted with custom bumpers and winch this week. Hoping to get a custom adventure trailer built soon in the next few months.

One suggestion to to head east from Plain, WA (where the NW Overland Rally event is held) towards the 1/3 point of the WABDR trail in Wenatchee instead of starting at Bridge of the Gods in Stevenson, OR. Then head north from Wenatchee on the WABDR towards BC.

[FvanWeelderen]

Hi Crs / asc,

My initial plan was to leave on Monday for Osoyoos, crossing the border on Tuesday to complete the northern part of the WABDR from north to south arriving at the Rally in Plain on Thursday evening so as to participate in events on Friday and Saturday. We would return to Metro Vancouver on Sunday. This would allow us to share our adventure with the other people at the Rally.

However, i like your suggestion of completing the WABDR from Cashmere north to Osoyoos after the Rally. This allows us to apply lessons learned at the Rally and take advantage of the Canada Day holiday (one less vacation day). We could leave Plain on Sunday morning and cross the border on Tuesday afternoon, returning to Metro Vancouver on Wednesday.

Thoughts?

[rayhyland]

That looks like fun.

One of these years I am going to just attend the rally, and not work it, so I will have time to actually do the fun drives at either end.

A few years ago our family, and Roger's (fellow Roverlander) family attended the Overland Expo in Flagstaff, and at the end we did a few days on the Mohave Trail. It was a really cool way to finish a fun event.

[mepham55]

Just checking our schedule for June. I've always wanted to complete this route and it would be a great way to arrive at Plain! I would be travelling with my family (wife and Henry(5) and George(3)), we are all comfortable with off roading and camping in the middle of nowhere as well. My LR3 does not have a winch but I'm confident in its ability for this type of trail. Is this a family friendly plan?

Matt

[FvanWeelderen]

Hi Matt,

Both the Overlan Rally and WABDR would be family friendly.

[craig]

For anyone looking for a more technical challenge, there are more difficult trails in the Liberty Trail system North and South of Hwy 97 just east of Plain/Leavenworth. Plenty of trails to fill the entire day with. The Cle Elum Ranger District has 4x4 trail maps. Trails are open after June 15th. The trails beginning with 4W are Land Rover friendly.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 364755.pdf

It's a horrible map, but combined with a good map should help identify which trails are open/closed.

Craig

[FvanWeelderen]

After further consideration, i propose to revise the this adventure by attending the NW Overland Rally first and returning to BC afterwards along the road less travelled, i.e. WABDR. This would allow us to take advantage of the statutory holiday (Canada Day) as well as lessons learned at the Rally.

Preliminary itinerary:
Fri, 27 Jun - travel to the NW Overland Rally in Plain, WA
Sat, 28 Jun - participate in Rally
Sun, 29 Jun - commence Segment 4 of WABDR in Cashmere (106 mi)
Mon, 30 Jun - commence Segment 5 in Lake Chelan (103 mi)
Tue, 1 Jul - commence Segment 6 in Conconcully (68 mi)
Wed, 2 Jul - cross back into Canada at Nighthawk border crossing and return to Lower Mainland via Hwy 3

Anyone interested in joining me and Rufus?.

[justin_carlson]

Sounds like a good plan. I'm interested but will have to see if my family is wanting to tag along as that will determine whether or not I do the discovery route.

[scraig]

Hi Floris,

I'm interested in joining you for the return WABDR but heading to the Rally on the Thursday to take in Fridays offerings...I'm not able to commit quite yet but should be able to soon....

[acg]

Hi Guys,

I will be attending the Rally, but no longer able to do the WABDR. Is there going to be a caravan of BC Roverlanders heading to Plain on Thurs, June 26 or Fri, June 27th? I would love to travel together if there is a caravan which is being organised.

My wife and 3 kids will be tagging along in an RV with my Disco. However, we have to be back in BC on Sunday, June 29. The two older kids have summer camp in Hope which starts on Mon, June 30.

[50thd90]

Might also be interested in joining on the way back.

[rayhyland]

So, just in case anyone is Curious, I have posted a list of confirmed vendors on the rally site at www.nwoverlandrally.com just click the vendors tab. (forgive the basic site, I'm just learning...)

I think it would be cool to have a Roverlanders booth at the Rally! Or maybe a banner so we could circle the wagons and park them together. I am going to be too busy to set that up myself, but I'd be happy to pay for the Roverlanders to have a display if someone else wants to man it. Andy, why don't you bring the family down in your 110 and fly the Roverlanders flag?

Cheers

Ray

[rayhyland]

For anyone looking for a more technical challenge, there are more difficult trails in the Liberty Trail system North and South of Hwy 97 just east of Plain/Leavenworth. Plenty of trails to fill the entire day with. The Cle Elum Ranger District has 4x4 trail maps. Trails are open after June 15th. The trails beginning with 4W are Land Rover friendly.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 364755.pdf

It's a horrible map, but combined with a good map should help identify which trails are open/closed.

Craig

Carl from Nitro Offroad is going to lead a trail run to the Liberty technical trails on the Saturday. Should be fun.

Cheers

Ray

[FvanWeelderen]

Rufus and I invite you to join us on the NW Overland Rally and WABDR Back to BC Run

Please let us know if you plan on coming on this Run so we can expect you!
As always let us know if you are going to be a tad late, otherwise we won't wait for you!

This Run is family & dog friendly.
• Note: Check yourselves, kids & dogs for possible wood ticks at the end of each day.

Dates: June 27th - July 1st, 2014

Meeting Location: 2 pm, June 27th - Shell Gas Station (Alger), EXIT 240, I-5.
Departure Time: 2:15 pm sharp!!

Fuel locations along WABDR: Cashmere, Ardenvoir, Chelan, Carlton

Bring: Camping gear, food, snacks, water, flashlight, camera and... as always, your sense of adventure!!
Bring bug goo as it might be buggy (mossies) in the trees if the sun is out.
Lead Rover will have recovery equipment, axe & maps.

Expect: Friday easy; Saturday moderate; Sunday moderate; Monday moderate; Tuesday easy
The WABDR route is designed to be driven in 4x4 vehicles. There are no single-track style trails on this route. Many of the roads are in remote areas and reach high elevation areas where road maintenance is minimal or non-existent. You can expect to cover sections of road with deep ruts, loose rocks, sand and other challenges. There are also sections that have steep grades combined with rough surfaces. You may also encounter sections that have trees or branches over the road. Some of the roads are overgrown with foliage, but are passable by 4x4 vehicles. There are alternate "easier" routes around a few of the most challenging sections. Depending on time of year and weather, there may be a few small shallow water crossings, but none worth worrying about.
BC pin-striping? - hopefully not or not too bad
Possible mud and maybe lingering snow in the higher shadows.

What to see & do:
Friday: Convoy down to Northwest Rally in Plain, WA (I-5 -> SR 2)
Saturday: Participate in Northwest Overland Rally events see http://www.nwoverlandrally.com/schedule.html
Sunday: Traverse Section 3 - WABDR (Cashmere to Chelan) - 108 mi
Monday: Traverse Section 4 - WABDR (Chelan to Loup Loup) - 84 mi
Tuesday: Convoy back to Lower Mainland (SR 20 -> I-5)

Camping: We plan to camp each night.
Friday: NW Overland Rally Campground
Saturday: NW Overland Rally Campground
Sunday: Lake Chelan State Park or 25 Mile Creek State Park
Monday: Loup Loup Campground (US Forrest Service)
Take our chances at which site we can snag first on Sunday and Monday nights. Expect to pay about $12-$15/night at any of these sites.

Other costs:
NW Overland Rally - Single Person Entry -$85 (Day of Event - $95) / Two-person or Family Entry - $160 (Day of Event - $180) - Covers Entry, Camping, and Classes. Does not cover food, or motorcycle-skills courses.
Washington State Discover Pass - $35 with transaction and dealer fees if purchased at a license dealer, by phone or online. (The fine for not displaying the pass is $99.)

Forecast: Not sure. Could be sunny, could be rainy, could be overcast. Guess we'll see!
Come prepared!

Floris' cell on the day: 604.240.0773

Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me if you have any questions.

[rayhyland]

That looks like a fun route home, but are you sure you only want to visit the Rally for just one day?

:-)

Ray