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.