Going up the mountain.

This is highway 20 as it climbs out of the valley. The road is mostly two lanes, but not if one of the vehicles is an 18-wheel truck.

When Northland Navigation ceased sea service to Bella Coola, all the goods for the inhabitants in the valley had to be shipped overland from Williams Lake. The truck used to come in on Wednesday, and you'd do your shopping that afternoon while the shelves in the Coöp were still full. Tuesday was not a good day to shop.

This truck is heading back to Williams Lake, and if you are behind it, as we are, you just have to be patient. It is going to go slow, and you will not pass it. But slow speed and care are to be valued on this part of the road. The drop off to the right is typical. Sometimes it may be a little steeper, sometimes less. The slope is loose rock and goes on to the highway below, which switches back and forth. At some points, it just goes on to the bottom of the valley.