1986 GMC S-15

Andrew_S

Observer
Day 3, exploring Seymour arm and Seymour river.
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Pictures don't do the size of these slugs justice. They are damn near 4" long.
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Quick morning paddle on Humamilt lake.
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Hiked into Albas falls
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Lobster mushroom on the side of the trail
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Dip in the falls
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Absolutely stacked blueberry bushes at the bottom of the falls
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Next stop was Seymour falls
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Then exploring out Seymour river provincial park
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By far the largest pile of bear ******** I've come across. Thats one big butthole.
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Andrew_S

Observer
Found this gem of a spot the next night on a little unnamed lake.
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This lake was unreal for fishing. Small little pan fries, but every single cast.
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2 weren't going to make it back so they hit the frying pan
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Antesy creek
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Driving up to the Antesy range
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Wicked cabin for anyone to use in the woods
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Driving down the gorge fsr all along the shuswap was unreal
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Raspberries are out now too
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Ended the trip with a hike into Caribou lake.
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Found this treat at the lake. A dock with frying pan paddles!
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All in all an awesome trip. 400+km of backroads and a new area explored. Hope to get out again soon.
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shirk

Active member
I have been here in BC since 2007 and just saw my first garter snake this week here on the North Shore.

Another zone to add to the exploration list.
 

Explorerinil

Observer
Awesome pics, i have always said Canada is the most scenic country, your pics reaffirm that. I wish I could have made my annual trip up there but COVID ruined that.
 

Todd n Natalie

OverCamper
Amazing pics as always. Just got back from the Okanagan ourselves. Wish we could have gotten out to the back country more to see some of the sights you posted up.

Unreal. Such beautiful country.
 

Andrew_S

Observer
^ Thanks for all good words. It's so nice to be out and exploring again. That is definitely one drawback to building your own unit, the time building takes away from everything else.


We just got back from a 6 day trip exploring Wells Gray provincial park and some of the surrounding area. Here are a few posts filled with pics.

Before we left I gave the truck it's first wash in a long time. Friggin thing looks weird this clean.
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We started our trip just north of Kamloops in Lac du bois provincial park.
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Everytime you come around a corner in BC it's like you enter an entirely new eco-system, this grassland being one of them.
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We camped at Isobel lake that night and headed out towards Dunn Lake outside of Little Fort the next morning. It always blows me away these little ferries operate at no fee and with immediate service. The operator said he went back and fourth 85 times the day prior.
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Heading up into the sub alpine to check out windpass mine and Baldy mountain
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Windpass Mine was a gold mine started back in the early 1900's. All that's left now is a number of these crazy mine shafts.
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These things head deep in the mountain, way further then we were willing to go.
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Some of the old log cabins are still standing.
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The hike up Baldy was gruelling. 600ish meter climb over 2ish km
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The view from the top was unreal
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There is still an old forest fire look out that a local club maintains
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Enjoying a very much deserved beer
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We found a bunch of raspberries, blueberries and huckleberries on the way down the trail
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Andrew_S

Observer
That night we camped at Dunn Lake and lucked out with the one of the nicest spots we've gotten at a rec site in recent memory.
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A little evening fish and paddle
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The fish were gorging on these guys
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The next morning, Nicole was trying to spot some wildlife
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Then onward to Wells Gray. First stop, Spahat falls.
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We hiked down into the Gorge to get an upclose look
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Onto to Dawson Falls next, this little guy on the trail.
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Some of the Fungi spotted

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Next up was Baileys Chute. We were both very surprised to see Chinook Salmon jumping up the falls.
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More mushrooms

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Wells has some absolutely stunning spots.
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Andrew_S

Observer
We went for an evening paddle on Clearwater lake.
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Only place to camp at this end of the park is a provincial campground which was totally reserved. We just asked the park ranger if she had any spots and luckily she had this double site cancel just an hour before we arrived. Otherwise it would have been an additional 3 hours of driving. So we were happy to stop here.
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The next morning we headed down to Stitka Falls

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Forest floor jack in action
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for the rock nerds
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Taking in the view of Clearwater river
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Helmcken falls
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Moul Falls
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Very cool spot, the trail loops behind the falls.
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Camped at Silver tip falls recsite the next night.
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When everything in the bush is soaked a fire can become a fair bit of work.
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The next morning at Silver tip falls. Unreal beauty.
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We both went for a wake me up skinny dip in this glacial fed pool.
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2nd last day, en route to Hyas Lake
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The fishing was fantastic and we luckily got out before a huge windstorm blew through the area.
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Fresh rainbow trout and wild mushrooms for dinner.
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The very last day Nicole went to start the truck in the morning and nothing. Wouldn't crank or click or anything.
I doubted the battery was dead but hooked up the second battery in the bed with jumpers to the main battery and still nothing. So we were officially broke down. I ended up jumping the starter directly from the positive terminal on the battery and spun it once, still nothing. Bumped it again and thank god the ignition switch worked afterwards and it fired up. Would have been an expensive tow bill and a very long day...
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So first thing I did when we got home is, yup new starter. The 34 year old unit had paid it's dues. I'm going to disassemble it as I'm curious to see what was causing the dead spot in the starter.
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The tailgate had also been getting harder and harder to open lately, really only worked if you pushed on it as you pulled the handle. Upon close inspection it appears the vibration of the backroads had started to wear a deep groove in the catch. Quick trip to the junkyard and it's like brand new again. I love an easy fix with a high reward. Can't believe how easy the gate is to open now.
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Todd n Natalie

OverCamper
Great photos!

We camped at that provincial park in Wells Grey a few years back and went to those same water falls. I recall there were frogs everywhere you really had to watch where you stepped.

Our spot was right along the river and we were told that if you follow the trail along the river a bit, it's not uncommon to see bears feasting on the other side of the river along the banks..
 

Andrew_S

Observer
^ that would have been an awesome sight to see. Man I was blown away by the beauty of that park. I'm really hoping to go back and do a multi day canoe trip.


Couple random days out here and there, here are some pics.

Out for an early morning hunt/sight in the rifles with a buddy a week or so ago.
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Bumped into 60+ rabbits but were only able to take the one home.
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The wife and I went on an over night hunting trip.
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It was partially ruined by the smoke that blew in from down south.
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This is the exact same spot with clear skies
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No big game, but did manage to bring home the first grouse of the year.
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Currents are out
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Shaggy's are popping up too, must be fall.
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Chasing grouse around on these roads
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Blackberries are plentiful
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Andrew_S

Observer
Something a bit different. Had the blower rebuilt for my '84.
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This has been sitting for nearly 4 months now. It will be nice to get a month or two of driving out of it before it gets parked for another 4 months+.
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Now back to the camper.
The actuators making loading and unloading it from the truck an absolute breeze.
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Back in, pop the top to the ceiling, unclamp it from the truck and pull the camper up off the bed with the actuators. Then drive out.
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I've been procrastinating the diesel heater for a hot minute so I got started this evening.
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Just need to weld the mount to the wall now and I'm halfway done. Next up is the fuel tank.
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1stDeuce

Explorer
So... A diesel heater on a diesel means you just use fuel out of the tank, which is convenient. A diesel heater on a gas truck means you need a separate fuel tank for stinky fuel. Can we expect a diesel conversion before or after SAS?? :)

Thanks for sharing all the pics of your adventures!!! We are getting really impatient to have our house built so we can get back to doing fun stuff too!!!
 

onemanarmy

Explorer
Yep. One of the best threads here.

Did you build a ladder or something to get into the bed once the camper is raised?
How do you attach the base of the camper to the truck? Maybe I missed it.
 

TwinDuro

Well-known member
Awesome! I agree with everyone, best thread ever! It’s so cool to see the new camper out and about and your guys’ paddling, fishing, hiking and hunting photos are flat out beautiful!

Awesome find on the SAS components. The Dana 30/Ford 8.8 are a great combo. I take it you’re going coils up front judging by the truss? I imagine you’ll be going for a lower SAS setup to keep the CG low?

Keep up the great work Andrew!
 

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