Build I bought a Whale, now I gotta build it and use it

[wngrog]

So the route we picked off www.overlandtrailguides.com was supposed to be 4-6 days. We did it in 1.75 days so we decided to head toward Oregon

We lucked up and found a boat launch at the north fork of the Smith River and 100% non characteristic of our crew, we stopped with 3 hours left of daylight and set up camp.

all the wood was soaked we found but we got it going good before the rain started as we hunkered under the awnings

 

[dudemancool1904]

So the route we picked off www.overlandtrailguides.com was supposed to be 4-6 days. We did it in 1.75 days so we decided to head toward Oregon

We lucked up and found a boat launch at the north fork of the Smith River and 100% non characteristic of our crew, we stopped with 3 hours left of daylight and set up camp.

all the wood was soaked we found but we got it going good before the rain started as we hunkered under the awnings

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I was gonna say this looks a lot like an OTG YouTube video! Love his channel, the owner had a 200 then got a ram and now has a GX.

 

[wngrog]

I was gonna say this looks a lot like an OTG YouTube video! Love his channel, the owner had a 200 then got a ram and now has a GX.

It's funny. My generation does not really watch You Tube. I found the page on the Californian Overland Facebook page

 

[wngrog]

We have a exit point in Medford Oregon in 3 days so we go old school and start making a plan.

The Overland page has a cool route called the Siskiyou Pass trail. It's not supposed to be open until May but it was close and took us toward Medford so we plotted a course to Caves Junction Oregon.

Looks easy.

Well, maybe not.

Right about here we saw a grave marker where someone died. Confidence maker.

The area is burned to a crisp. I decided to message @RustyNailJustin for the info

Of course he does.

The road was rough as F.

Then it started to rain. I was in the back. The Taco walked this spot. The GX on 37s struggled a bit. The pre runner 80 got stuck
I sat back and played with my phone. It was raining i
Did not have proper rain gear.

They got him clear. I rolled up and BAM. I'm stuck on a log.

Hook winch. Nothing. No movement.

Snatch block.


Nothing.

Starting to get worried.


Rain.



Ok. Laird. Turn the Taco around. Winch me up.

Cool.

Meanwhile I grab Jonathan's $1000 ARB jack.

Head downhill.

Rain.


Jack my s*** up.

High.

Stack rocks because as soon as I go forward the jack falls.

Everything lines up. And boom. I'm out.

Not withstanding the fact that Laird smoked the side of his truck bed turning around in that Scar

We moved forward and ended up stuck again

 

[wngrog]

I got in these ruts and I was DOA

 

[wngrog]

Laird was nice enough to pull me out after he walked it

 

[wngrog]

After we finished trail blazing we popped out in the funky little town of Cave Corner for pizza gas and groceries.

We loaded up another track from the above site and that town was about 1/2 way and it took us toward Medford.

We were doing good while we were in the Oregon National Forest. The roads were freshly sawed and we were on a nice small 2 track headed south but as soon as we crossed into California and the Klamath NF it was a mess. We pulled and cut a half dozen before we gave up and backtracked.

The new route was much bigger but it was fast and we made quick work of the route to Happy Camp CA

This fire area got me back on a text with @RustyNailJustin Seems he has fought his way through here on foot quite a few times. It's crazy how much is burned out here

We picked the route back up and climbed up toward Applegate Lake where we found a nice riverside campsite and Jonathan "cooked" Spoonburgers on the Skottle.

Before you ask, I had to make sure this was a real thing.

Real nasty. He's been relieved of ever cooking again. Maybe that was his plan all along

 

[wngrog]

We woke up and cooked breakfast. Jonathan struck again buying Italian sausage.


Who the **** buys Italian sausage for breakfast?

Anyway. Weather was nice. We struck out to finish our route to Medford.

We ended up having to backtrack due to deep snow. It was fun hitting that stuff but my truck is no snow trail breaker

Then we got up to 7000' and it really started blowing and snowing

 

[wngrog]

Need to catch up on the links. Sorry

Day 2 track

https://www.gaiagps.com/public/uxJaQo7g0drT8xa9EjF4ZiH9

 

[wngrog]

Day 3 Link

https://www.gaiagps.com/public/GlHiG2GWePCYsrdMsz5vBSgx

 

[wngrog]

Day 4 link

https://www.gaiagps.com/public/DNXcsVbEIHovR9AkpXxYe6JO

 

[wngrog]

Day 5 Link

https://www.gaiagps.com/public/4oc96aFyiElWEImhW3RFJS9t

 

[wngrog]

I forgot to reset my trip after the Yosemite trip so it was this minus 350 miles so just around 900 miles. This leg had the most asphalt of any of the legs so far. I'd say it was about 50/50. Lots of roads in Califonia that are paved would be gravel in any other state. Tight one lane things.

Total on the Whale

Total since we started in New Mexico

This minus 350 for this trip

@RustyNailJustin set us up with one of his good friends to park. Their place is nestled in between two weed farms. Safe and sound.

5 am flight out of Medford.

Good looking leg. Saw a very very diverse state. Humbolt County is amazing. Most of our California was in that one huge county.

Oregon was what I expected. Wet moss covered everything. Can't wait to go back. We are going to go up the Cascades next leg.

 

[wngrog]

 

[wngrog]

Night 2 camp. Better known as the Spoonburger Camp

 

[wngrog]

 

[NOLAKS]

How is that tacoma set up? Just lockers? Where did he camp, in the bed?

 

[wngrog]

How is that tacoma set up? Just lockers? Where did he camp, in the bed?

It has a tent on top of the camo shell.

It's got Dobinsons MRR. 34s. Really excellent at everything. Rocks. Sand. Speed. Genuine perfect platform. The long bed is tits.

It's always great to have a pickup in the crew for firewood duties too.

 

[krice118]

When I grow up I want to be @wngrog

 

[wngrog]

When I grow up I want to be @wngrog

I'm pretty old. You got time.