VE6AB Mobile Ops
The Road Trip
Its that time of the year again, where the winter gates on highway 40 are about to be locked down for the winter, cutting off access to the Highwood Pass located south of Kananaskis Lakes on highway 40 also located in the southern Alberta Rockies.
The fact is that I like to drive through the pass before this happens, and earlier in the morning I had left home headed west to drive the 400 kilometer loop that encompasses a large part of Kananaskis country located on either side of the pass.
Having checked the weather forecast for the area that I planned on driving through, that lies within the front ranges of the southern AB Rockies, I picked this day to make it happen with the favourable forecast for the day.
The summit of the Highwood Pass is located at 7239 feet above sea-level, and even in the middle of summer, you can find snow lingering in the shaded areas of the pass.
So you can see why I had been looking for favourable weather to make the drive in late November.
In past years I had driven through the pass near the end of November (the road closes December 1st) when the weather had been not so nice, with icy roads and deep snow in the pass making the drive an adventure.
Of course I had prepared for anything that mother nature might through at me, and this included a full compliment of winter clothing including snow boots, arctic rated sleeping bag, EPK (emergency preparedness kit), that included a weeks worth of freeze dried food, 20 liters of water, stove with fuel, etc.
NOTE.....for a more complete description of what it takes be prepared while traveling roads less travelled.....
http://ve6ab.blogspot.ca/2016/11/emergency-prepardness-on-road.html
For the mobile and just in case it would be needed, I had a snow shovel, tow strap, my booster cables that allow me to boost the crank battery with the use of the axillary battery that resides in the cargo bay of my mobile.
I didn't expect any problems starting my mobile, as I just recently replaced the old crank battery that was played out, with a new AGM (glass mat technology) battery that has a rating of 800 CCA, and 1.5 hrs reserve capacity,
Still, you want to prepare for all possibilities, as its better to be over-prepared, rather that unprepared when the SHTF.
In the end I had a great time driving this loop (this year....north to south) with many stops made for photographs, some shot from my mobile, and others shot while tramping through the snow away from my mobile.
Of course it goes without saying that I took time to play radio while going down the road.
Incredible sunrise from the Highwood Pass......
http://www.jerryclement.ca/Outdoor-Pursuits/DawnThreader/i-FVzDcrT
