Camp Crawl Challenge 2020

Words by JD Keating @Dads_That_Wheel; Photos by Brad that Wheels Morris

This past summer, we decided to invite a pack of 13 hardcore wheelers with modified rigs for a multi-day excursion on some of Ontario’s most difficult trails. Appropriately named the Camp Crawl Challenge 2020, it was a concept that was spawned nearly a decade ago, when children were not on our radar yet, being parents was not a concern, and when time was an unknown luxury. As we have been quietly curating this trip for quite some time, this year was finally the opportunity to strike.

We have a passion for off-roading (it runs through our blood) and the thought of bringing 13 strangers together wasn’t even a concern. What we did not anticipate, however, was the overwhelming interest. People from all over North America reached out to us via social media to get invited.

Precise Criteria

This was not going to be your typical wheeling adventure. What we were searching for were the most extreme, daily-driven rock crawlers. Each participating vehicle was expected to be street legal and capable of driving up to 350 km (217 mi) on one tank of fuel. Plus, each rig would be expected to maintain a top speed of 85 km (55 mph) including up hills, into headwinds…you name it.

This set of criteria was not meant to exclude enthusiasts, but rather ensure that the strict travel itinerary could be met by everyone involved throughout the event. After all, we wanted to pack this excursion with the most extreme wheeling experiences possible. There would be no hotels and all participants would be expected to camp and be self-sufficient. More challenge was provided by the fact that no one would be told the location of each day’s adventure until on the morning before we set out.

Rules, Regs, and Mandatory Gear

We set a minimum tire size of 35” (since most Jeeps come from dealers on 33’s) and front and rear lockers were mandatory. Some debated with us on this one but in our opinion, lockers provide optimal wheel spin control to mitigate breakage (more on breakage later). Also mandatory was a winch, of course, plus recovery points, shackles, tree-savers and extraction equipment and were all inspected. A fire extinguisher was something we insisted on but didn’t honestly expect to use (more on that later, too) as well as a first aid kit and essential tools.

Creating a checklist narrowed our selection list down to at least a manageable number. With much consideration to provide the penultimate wheeling experience, one question still lingered in our minds. Would 13 complete strangers truly commit to follow us blindly on some of the hardest trails in Ontario? There was only one way to find out.

Camp Crawl Challenge 2020

A multi-day trail run that pushed both rig and driver to the limit, the event began each morning with a driver’s meeting, designed to finally reveal what on earth they were going to experience. Plus, the morning meeting would also provide a brief history of the area and what to expect on the trail du jour.

Each afternoon, after running the trail, we aired back up, hit the highway and made our way to another designated location and campground. To call it a whirlwind is an understatement as 13 of the biggest and baddest built rigs came out of the woodwork and joined our procession. Some participants traveled for nearly eight hours just to reach our starting point.

Registration and Ice Breaking

The Camp Crawl Challenge kicked-off at Calabogie Camping & R.V. Park, a gorgeous spot nestled in the heart of the Ottawa Valley that can accommodate tents and RVs, and offers something for everyone. Sylvain and his crew at the park even have secluded, Jeep-specific sites accessible only by trail.

On the day of registration, participants were treated to a gourmet meal, complete with servers and proper dinnerware. It was the perfect ice breaker to loosen the vibe and allow everyone to ease into what was to come.

Chef Gunther from Oh Ella Cafe, a local chef who is more of a culinary artist than a cook, was on site and prepared a welcome meal that was beyond expectations. We honestly anticipated hot dogs and burgers, and would have been more than content with that. But as he prepared fresh-battered veal schnitzel with a spicy paprika yogurt sauce, homegrown pickled cucumber potato salad, and chocolate mousse for dessert, the participants mixed and mingled, providing the perfect atmosphere to start the weekend. More off-road hospitality was provided by some of the local shops and garages that stayed open late to accommodate those participants with last-minute repairs or who needed minor mods.

The First Day

Crag Lake Trail was the first challenge of the event and was long, tight and twisty. It was originally created by ATVers for hunting and fishing, and has been widened only slightly by Suzuki Samurais over the years. It’s nestled amongst several lakes in Southern Ontario and we chose it to assess who was truly committed to our cause.

It took no prisoners. We lost mirrors, dented multiple body pillars and cracked countless soft-top frames. We also had one wheeler blow a front axle, one or two popped their drive shafts, and there were plenty of scratched fenders – all before noon.

Of special mention, a silent rivalry had commenced between Brad in Ol, Punk’n and Herve Goffin Ruiz in his 87 YJ to see who would be the first to make it up the trickiest of climbs. While many started to take bypasses, we continued to push straight through with our two long-arm-equipped JL’s.

We had invited some seriously built rigs, but Calabogie is a true test of driver skill and technical expertise. The first day consisted of a nine-hour trail that had everyone pushed to the brink. As evening descended, we pressed on through rock cropping cuts and sprawling farmer’s fields, and arrived at the second campsite of the event 300 km (186 mi) later.

But as we were approaching the next stop, the CB crackled, “fire, fire, everyone hold up.” Dave Norrie’s beloved CJ5 had managed to ignite due to some loosened manifold bolts that melted an oil temp sensor. A misfire shot a flame across his red-hot undercarriage and lit a fireball under his Jeep!

Accentuated by the pure darkness of the deep wilderness, Dave’s fireworks show alarmed our entire procession. By the time he jumped out of his door-less CJ 4, participants were by his side with extinguishers in hand. We managed to get the fire out and the sweet old CJ5 was loaded on a trailer in no time. This would not be the end of Dave Norrie and his classic Jeep. At this time, our family of wheelers was growing tighter and tighter as we drove deeper into the wilderness.

The Second Day

On day 2, the crew was given a bit of a break. We hit a difficult yet familiar trail, which allowed the pack to show off their skills. We spent the night at Ray’s Place Campground and Off Road Park and ran Greens Mountain Trail in Minden, ON.

With Adrian Collison of 4Lo Jeeps as our trail guide, day 2 was a day filled with a lot of technical running as the participants were able to let their guard down and flex their driving prowess. They didn’t skip a beat, showcasing their bravado in their rigs by trying every possible line.

Sloane Mogavero repeatedly shifted his Atlas equipped JKU into low and basically tip-toed his monster Jeep over nearly every obstacle. It also turned into a bit of frenzy as countless followers had guessed our destination for that morning, and several other groups were being guided behind us on the very same route.

At one point, we had approximately 40 trucks behind us and after allowing six to pass, we decided to continue on and try every imaginable line we could find. The most difficult runs were on Greens Mountain Trail known as “The Buggy Line” directly below “The Can Opener,” which is essentially a shear rock face step. Several participants tried the climb it, but only three Jeep JL’s made it unassisted. However, every show must come to an end.

Before the sun fully set, we bumped and clunked our way down the backside of the mountain. As we crested the final rock crop and right before the trail ended, tucked quietly off to the side of the trail was none other than Dave Norrie in his trusted CJ. Dave worked tirelessly all day to source parts and to get his Jeep running. With our group all back together, we aired up and hit the road for another 250 km (155 mi) to camp three at Lagoon Tent and Trailer Park.

The Third Day

On the morning of day 3, we awoke to rain. The Lagoon Tent and Trailer Park is situated on the outskirts of Huntsville, ON, and is a hidden gem as its property follows the Big East River. This is a cozy little campsite that welcomes wheelers of all kinds. The skies were dark, and packing up camp in the rain is always miserable and depressing. Coincidentally, it was around this time that a few participants made the decision to call it a weekend.

As a close friend and seasoned wheeling vet once said, “I guess we’re all adults and could, theoretically, just drive away.” Just like that, two of the crew bailed. I suppose the rain, little sleep, and a looming storm got the best of them. So, with their soft doors half zipped and garbage bags for their jackets, we bid a sad farewell to our departed friends and zoomed on. Fortunately for us, the rain eased up. By the time we reached our final destination, a huge treeless hydro cut rock shield in Ardbeg, ON, the ground was pretty dry and traction would be just tricky enough to be fun.

The North/South trail system just outside of Ardbeg is a rock crawler’s paradise with line after line of challenging routes. Participants could either choose the hardest, steepest rock section and give their best, or slowly bob and weave their way around the towering rock cliffs and snake their way down the entire system.

There’s even a sandy beach and space to camp on this trail system, and if you’re a novice off roader and unsure of what to expect, you could still tread lightly down a rolling dirt track with deep water crossings in wet seasons and watch all the action. A typical weekend around these parts can be pretty busy, but it seemed the passing dark clouds waned off local wheelers.

The aggressive rock faces of Ardbeg offered endless lines to challenge each and every one of us. As the daylight quickly passed, our group slowly packed up and made their way home, leaving Brad and I in the wake of what would prove to be one of the most memorable trips of our lives.

Throughout the event, we posted live online whenever we had coverage thanks in part to our WeBoost Cell phone boosters, and were inundated with support and excitement from unknown wheelers throughout the off-road community. With 13 heavily modified vehicles tiptoeing into private campgrounds, the sight for outsiders can be daunting. Yet, our campground hosts and seasonal site holders were excited to see our rolling parade of built rigs. We briefly took over gas stations and restaurant drive-thru’s each afternoon before heading back onto the road to our unknown destination. Yet, much to our surprise, we were always met with open arms and warm smiles.

The idea that an event needs to be perfect to be successful couldn’t be further than the truth. As it turned out, problems arose on the trail but they were solved as the participants were prepared, and they understand that this is wheeling, and stuff happens. The participants, many now our friends, all get it. They share a mutual enthusiasm of everything off road. We all pushed our vehicles beyond our comfort zone.

Off-roading can be both exhilarating and empowering. A connection with both machine and nature develops. These adventures are never perfect, and that is all part of the appeal. Do you think you have what it takes for the 2021 Camp Crawl Challenge?

For all the details contact Dads_That_Wheel@Icloud.com or on social @Dads_That_Wheel