Done the dempster twice. The last time was Christmas eve 2023. Ended up stranded at eagle plaines. South was closed and north was closed. It is so much smoother to drive in the winter.
I was fortunate enough to drive from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk on the ice road in 2016 before the Dempster was complete. It still seems amazing to me that I got to have the experience of driving on the ocean and visiting such a unique part of the world.
It was interesting seeing Quebec 389 featured, because I was there on 21 November 2024 (only 23 days ago), so I can "freshly" relate to it. I didn't go with adequate preparation at all, and I realized it - at least my tires were all close to brand-new. I finished the round trip (to Labrador City) from and back to Baie-Comeau, unscathed otheer than for the expense of the trip including lodging. The most challenging part is approximately between km245 and km260 where the gravel isn't as well maintained, at least when I was there. No doubt six months from now it will be a different section that's the least-well maintained. The road trip is NOT for the faint-of-heart, and here I was, a 77-year-old guy traveling it solo, lol. This was only a few days after having flown to Iqaluit from YOW [Ottawa], so I quickly spent a lot of money AND went to a couple pretty hardcore destinations.
Brings back memories. In the 80th we were roaming a lot in the Canadian north during holidays. Two and a half-time the Dempster, Canol road south a couple of times, Canol road North one time - Steward-Cassiar - Top of the World into Alaska etc.
I was in the Arctic last month, it is beautiful and feels like a different world. Another remote highway that is overlooked, since it's not as far north is highway 599 in NW Ontario. It is Ontarios most northerly paved road, beyond that is a well maintained gravel road for 200km or so, then keeps going as a winter road to many northern communities. In summer those communities can only be visited by plane.
hey!! i work up here on the southern dempster, i think that’s more rural than the north - when you go onto the dempster from the south there’s a sign that says “no amenities 370 km” - there’s literally nothing except for one campsite at km 71 in Tombstone, and even that’s pretty limited
@@Urban_Atlas I’m an ecohydrologist! I study the creeks that flow into the large rivers in and around tombstone territorial park, this was my first field experience but I’ll be spending a few months up there next summer. It’s a beautiful place, walking on the peat of the tundra is a weird experience haha
@@waterrl2 Feels like walking on a huge wet sponge, definitely very strange. If you stand there more than a couple seconds you'll get water in your shoes. I enjoyed all aspects of my Dempster trip in 1986 (July). It only stopped at Inuvik then, but I flew to "Tuk". I felt like I was the size of an ant when I crossed the Richardson Mountains northbound, a very interesting and fun perspective I've only ever experienced twice. In Inuvik there were 3-year-old children playing outdoors at 2 in the morning, so that answered my question about whether the "Midnight Sun" plays havoc on the circadian clocks that humans have: clearly it does.
I did the Dempster in the summer of 2023. I had planned on the worst but it really wasn't that bad. I did get a small flat, but had my full size spare. I did almost get trapped north of Eagle Plains due to a fire but snuck past with it less than a mile from the road. Canol Road is next up on my list.
Starting in the mid-80s, we drove the Dempster 14 times to camp, fish, explore, and visit a family we knew who lived along the road. We also did the South and North Canol 3 times to Camp Mile 222 when the road was still open to that area to visit a friend stationed there. We drove the Nahanni road twice as well.
I like this style of videos. But could you pick one isolated road or destination per video and go slightly more indepth. Closest connection (Closest know community) and what it would take to get there. (Drive, fly, boat, hike) and any major landmarks/sights worth stopping for. They're great overlanding/expedition/camping ideas. But keep them remote and challenging enough that tourists won't destroy them.
It should be pointed out that it is not possible to drive all the way to the Arctic Ocean on the James Dalton Highway in Alaska due to safety and security reasons (no public access through the Alaska north coast oil fields, access mus be arranged through a tour operator). This makes the Demster Highway a one-of-a-kind for being the only road in North America offering public access to the Arctoc Ocean shore line.
great video, you got a lot of great details right in it, like the razor sharp shale. Hint for drivers, if you slow down to 50km/h or less the shale has time to lay back down before your back tire hits the sharp edges. On the other hand you missed a lot of great trivia. for instance the drive through the peel watershed is at one point along the crest of an esker, so you have a viewpoint both ways. Oh, and you cannot stop there, because it doubles as an airstrip.
My wife and I drove 389 last summer on our way to Newfoundland although it was rough they were working on it and it will soon be great. That trip will soon be great.
Another great video! And accurate about Quebec 389. Good advice about those logging trucks, get the hell out of their way! The twists and turns are cause for some white-knuckle moments on the wheel. Plus, stop at Gagnon and just walk down these abandoned sidewalks in the middle of nowhere. That’s the only thing left behind from that town.
I spent two years living and working on the Dempster highway. I also drove the entire Canol road, both the south section as well as the north Canol right to the NWT border. It is a trail alright and not recommended for regular driving, we had a support team to do it and that was 15 years ago. I’m sure it has deteriorated more since then.
Man that actually sounds amazing! Canol road has been one of those drives that’s always been on the back of my mind as something I would love to attempt one day!
@@Urban_Atlas The gravel surface South Canol is not bad relatively speaking and can be slowly travelled in a few hours by 4x4 during the summer months. The North Canol trail is an entirely different story, it is an expedition type journey where we needed to check the bridges before crossing them a kept a watch for collapsed sections of road etc. There is nothing and no one out there in the N Canol wilderness, if something happens you’re on your own.
Another great video. You do great work. NOTE: My vote would be to nix the music. It serves no purpose, and I'm trying to hear what you're saying. Thank you
I'm really enjoying your videos! Love the Geography and Rural Planning aspects of your videos 🙂 Keep it up! Will you start making videos on Provinces in Canada?
Thank you so much, humbled by the support ❤️. The plan is so eventually focus on some cities and provinces in Canada and look at them through an urban and rural planning lens, let’s see how this channel grows organically, I have so many ideas and so little time lol 😅
The Federal government should be using welfare recipients, prisoners, and other low life individuals to build or update the remote road system in Canada to open up parts of the country.
Done the dempster twice. The last time was Christmas eve 2023. Ended up stranded at eagle plaines. South was closed and north was closed. It is so much smoother to drive in the winter.
Wow, that must have been quite the adventure!
@Urban_Atlas highly recommend it. I ran cooper discovery with studs. Zero issues
Just cycled the Dempster. Great experience, love the remoteness. Much better than the very busy Trans Canada Highway 1 I've cycled the past few days.
Man that’s awesome! Would love to have opportunity to do that as well!
I was fortunate enough to drive from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk on the ice road in 2016 before the Dempster was complete. It still seems amazing to me that I got to have the experience of driving on the ocean and visiting such a unique part of the world.
Thts amazing brother! You are blessed and lucky to be able to have that chance! I’m super jealous, I wish I could do the same.
been around the world on youtube but never explored my own country Canada's north. keep up the good job.
It was interesting seeing Quebec 389 featured, because I was there on 21 November 2024 (only 23 days ago), so I can "freshly" relate to it. I didn't go with adequate preparation at all, and I realized it - at least my tires were all close to brand-new. I finished the round trip (to Labrador City) from and back to Baie-Comeau, unscathed otheer than for the expense of the trip including lodging. The most challenging part is approximately between km245 and km260 where the gravel isn't as well maintained, at least when I was there. No doubt six months from now it will be a different section that's the least-well maintained.
The road trip is NOT for the faint-of-heart, and here I was, a 77-year-old guy traveling it solo, lol. This was only a few days after having flown to Iqaluit from YOW [Ottawa], so I quickly spent a lot of money AND went to a couple pretty hardcore destinations.
If you haven't driven on the 401 you don't know what a dangerous road is...
That’s true, used to be my daily commute, hated it 😅
If you haven't driven the Coquihalla highway in winter... the 401 is easy as pie
That was very interesting. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Keep up the good work my man !
great video thanks.
Thanks man!
Brings back memories. In the 80th we were roaming a lot in the Canadian north during holidays. Two and a half-time the Dempster, Canol road south a couple of times, Canol road North one time - Steward-Cassiar - Top of the World into Alaska etc.
Beautiful locations! At least once in my life I would love to do a trip visiting all these amazing and isolated highways in the Canadian north ❤️
I appreciate the search and precision of your infos. Keep up the good work my man !
I appreciate that! Thank you so much for your support.
You should look at Saskatchewan Highway 962. It's very isolated with only a few tiny villages along it.
I enjoy watching your videos, from one Canadian to another. Keep it up.
Thank you brother! 🫡💪🇨🇦
Once again, great content! Canada=Unlocked! Amazing research! Cheers (to a potential Part 3 of these series?)
Thanks so much! Yea I think we can go for a part 3 soon!
Great videos! I feel like your channel will definitely grow 👀
I hope so too!
I was in the Arctic last month, it is beautiful and feels like a different world. Another remote highway that is overlooked, since it's not as far north is highway 599 in NW Ontario. It is Ontarios most northerly paved road, beyond that is a well maintained gravel road for 200km or so, then keeps going as a winter road to many northern communities. In summer those communities can only be visited by plane.
Beautiful, excellent candidate, quite remote, could have easily slotted it in, thanks for the comment 🙏
hey!! i work up here on the southern dempster, i think that’s more rural than the north - when you go onto the dempster from the south there’s a sign that says “no amenities 370 km” - there’s literally nothing except for one campsite at km 71 in Tombstone, and even that’s pretty limited
Hey! Thanks for tuning in! Wow, what’s it like working up there? What kind of work do you do (if you don’t mind me asking)
@@Urban_Atlas I’m an ecohydrologist! I study the creeks that flow into the large rivers in and around tombstone territorial park, this was my first field experience but I’ll be spending a few months up there next summer. It’s a beautiful place, walking on the peat of the tundra is a weird experience haha
@@waterrl2 man, that’s such a cool job! That’s awesome, thanks for sharing 🙏
@@waterrl2 Feels like walking on a huge wet sponge, definitely very strange. If you stand there more than a couple seconds you'll get water in your shoes. I enjoyed all aspects of my Dempster trip in 1986 (July). It only stopped at Inuvik then, but I flew to "Tuk". I felt like I was the size of an ant when I crossed the Richardson Mountains northbound, a very interesting and fun perspective I've only ever experienced twice. In Inuvik there were 3-year-old children playing outdoors at 2 in the morning, so that answered my question about whether the "Midnight Sun" plays havoc on the circadian clocks that humans have: clearly it does.
I really enjoy your content. Greetings from Montréal!
Love Montreal! Thanks for tuning in 🙏
I did the Dempster in the summer of 2023. I had planned on the worst but it really wasn't that bad. I did get a small flat, but had my full size spare. I did almost get trapped north of Eagle Plains due to a fire but snuck past with it less than a mile from the road. Canol Road is next up on my list.
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing! Good luck with Canol.
Greeting from PEI! Love your videos!
Glad you like them! 🙏
Starting in the mid-80s, we drove the Dempster 14 times to camp, fish, explore, and visit a family we knew who lived along the road. We also did the South and North Canol 3 times to Camp Mile 222 when the road was still open to that area to visit a friend stationed there. We drove the Nahanni road twice as well.
I like this style of videos. But could you pick one isolated road or destination per video and go slightly more indepth. Closest connection (Closest know community) and what it would take to get there. (Drive, fly, boat, hike) and any major landmarks/sights worth stopping for. They're great overlanding/expedition/camping ideas. But keep them remote and challenging enough that tourists won't destroy them.
Hey thanks for the comment, sure that sounds like a great idea!
Great video! Love your work
Thank you!
I've driven the 389 and Translabradore twice in a transport truck. Absolutely beautiful drive. Definitely would love to go back.
Thts amazing!
It should be pointed out that it is not possible to drive all the way to the Arctic Ocean on the James Dalton Highway in Alaska due to safety and security reasons (no public access through the Alaska north coast oil fields, access mus be arranged through a tour operator). This makes the Demster Highway a one-of-a-kind for being the only road in North America offering public access to the Arctoc Ocean shore line.
More reason to drive it 😅.
great video, you got a lot of great details right in it, like the razor sharp shale. Hint for drivers, if you slow down to 50km/h or less the shale has time to lay back down before your back tire hits the sharp edges. On the other hand you missed a lot of great trivia. for instance the drive through the peel watershed is at one point along the crest of an esker, so you have a viewpoint both ways. Oh, and you cannot stop there, because it doubles as an airstrip.
I think the airstrip is around 66.495198° -136.572694°
My wife and I drove 389 last summer on our way to Newfoundland although it was rough they were working on it and it will soon be great. That trip will soon be great.
Yes, it can be quite treacherous at times! Hope you guys had a great trip!
Another great video! And accurate about Quebec 389. Good advice about those logging trucks, get the hell out of their way! The twists and turns are cause for some white-knuckle moments on the wheel. Plus, stop at Gagnon and just walk down these abandoned sidewalks in the middle of nowhere. That’s the only thing left behind from that town.
Thank you 🙏. I have always been fascinated by ghost towns, always wonder what life would have been like in these mining towns like Gagnon.
My favorite channel!
❤️❤️❤️
If you do a part three, you should include the road from Uranium city to Bushell.
I’m seriously considering a part 3.
In Iqaluit Nunavut there is the "road to nowhere" you end up in the arctic wilderness.
I spent two years living and working on the Dempster highway. I also drove the entire Canol road, both the south section as well as the north Canol right to the NWT border. It is a trail alright and not recommended for regular driving, we had a support team to do it and that was 15 years ago. I’m sure it has deteriorated more since then.
Man that actually sounds amazing! Canol road has been one of those drives that’s always been on the back of my mind as something I would love to attempt one day!
@@Urban_Atlas The gravel surface South Canol is not bad relatively speaking and can be slowly travelled in a few hours by 4x4 during the summer months. The North Canol trail is an entirely different story, it is an expedition type journey where we needed to check the bridges before crossing them a kept a watch for collapsed sections of road etc. There is nothing and no one out there in the N Canol wilderness, if something happens you’re on your own.
Another great video. You do great work.
NOTE: My vote would be to nix the music. It serves no purpose, and I'm trying to hear what you're saying.
Thank you
Thanks brother! Appreciate it!
I'm really enjoying your videos! Love the Geography and Rural Planning aspects of your videos 🙂 Keep it up! Will you start making videos on Provinces in Canada?
Thank you so much, humbled by the support ❤️. The plan is so eventually focus on some cities and provinces in Canada and look at them through an urban and rural planning lens, let’s see how this channel grows organically, I have so many ideas and so little time lol 😅
the Canol road is pronounced can'-all emphasis on the first syllable.
Thanks man! I appreciate that!
About a week agoooo 🙌🏽😂
🎶 about a week ago 🎶😂
me (insane) i can ride ride my bike from from bale-comeau to red bay without leaving land
Lol Thts what I was thinking too when I bought my first e bike 😅.
And I thought driving through Saskatchewan was isolated.
😂
Just finished Quebec 389 yesterday, not that hard, I'm in a Dodge Dart, with a 2 and 4 year old!!, in Labrador City now!
Wow! Sounds like quite an adventure with the kids! I have a 3 and a 1 year old and driving that with them frightens me lol
I’d love to see some Tesla driver try to go on the Dempster.😂😂😂😂
not a huge deal but it is fermont not fremont. iron (fer) mountain (mont).
Oops, my apologies on that.
@@Urban_Atlas I noticed, too - but because I was there only 24 days ago it is still pretty fresh, lol.
Actually it wasn't started until 1959 and wasn't completed until 1979.
My Dream, Dempster
It’s very much possible with some good planning 💪
1.25x speed. Save your time
👍
The Federal government should be using welfare recipients, prisoners, and other low life individuals to build or update the remote road system in Canada to open up parts of the country.
Seek help.
So, slave labor?