The Coquihalla: Canada's Highway Through Hell

It's one of the most incredible feats of civil engineering out there. But that doesn't stop it from being one of the most dangerous roads in North America. In this adventure, drive British Columbia's Coquihalla Highway from Kamloops south to Hope.
After summiting the Coq, you'll descend the infamous Smasher. It's aptly named for the idiots that think they can drive it in the ice and snow and turn the highway into a demolition derby. To successfully conquer the the Smasher, you'll need to take on over 20 kilometers of a nearly 9% grade. it's a wild ride in the summer, and sheer insanity in the winter.
Do you have what it takes to tame Canada's Highway Through Hell? Or are you doomed to be just another statistic in the Smasher's long run of infamy?
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0:00 - Intro
0:53 - The 500 km Run from Jasper to Kamloops
4:44 - The Summit and the Smasher
7:03 - Back on Flat Ground in Hope

Пікірлер: 25

  • @janewelch5444
    @janewelch5444 Жыл бұрын

    I was traveling on this highway on August 5th, 2020. Was hit by a semi. Totalled the car. Injured. Twisted knee, broken pelvis and,5 broken ribs, broken wrist, broken wrist, shattered shoulder. I still have the bolts and screws in my shoulder. The hardware may be coming out. If you go to the Coc highway. Type Coc highway August 5. 4 different radio stations had coverage. My car was the blue one. Was picked up by a helicopter. I will Never travel on it again. Semi driver went to jail.

  • @gordonmaser1804
    @gordonmaser18046 ай бұрын

    One of the best and safest highways I’ve ever been on Canada

  • @kieferj8058

    @kieferj8058

    Ай бұрын

    I'm not sure if the word safe and Coquihalla belong together in a sentance 😂

  • @smok3sho587

    @smok3sho587

    26 күн бұрын

    Safest Lolll

  • @kloppanator
    @kloppanator3 ай бұрын

    Should drive BC's highway 1 and highway 3 if you ever get the chance, those are the two highways that the Coquihalla(highway 5) replaced, seeing those highways really helps refine your perspective on the Coquihalla. I drive the Coquihalla twice a night, once each way, 4 to 5 nights a week for work.

  • @t.sonnenberg8138
    @t.sonnenberg81388 ай бұрын

    Long, long ago, my parents with me, young. From Edmonton to Vancouver iceland. Canada is the most beautiful country in the world. Thank you for your movie. Greatings from Berlin

  • @AdventurePangea

    @AdventurePangea

    8 ай бұрын

    It's our pleasure! We completely agree, Canada is a stunningly beautiful country, and it seems to only get more beautiful every new corner of it we explore.

  • @gordonmaser1804
    @gordonmaser18046 ай бұрын

    Why not drive for the road conditions

  • @ravenseyeimages
    @ravenseyeimages3 ай бұрын

    I drive this several times a year and worked up in that valley both before and right after the highway went in. The main problem with that highway is what we in IT call the ID-10-T problems. I learned to drive in the Fraser Canyon area (much more dangerous than Coq) and know the limits for speed/conditions etc well. I’ve been driving gingerly down the snowshed hill at 90-100kmh many times in pissing rain & even snow & people are passing me going 120 just as I’m entering the snowshed, where the road surfaces change. I’ll also say if you had your vehicle almost floored going up any of those hills (especially southbound) and were barely maintaining 100kmh you were either towing maximum payload or it’s time for a major tuneup.

  • @angelaphipps6463
    @angelaphipps64637 ай бұрын

    It's only the Highway Thru Hell in the Winter. Other than that..its beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @grazynazambeanie5963
    @grazynazambeanie59633 ай бұрын

    The high way is in a lot better shape than most of the drivers that drive it

  • @user-xn8xu3fj6s
    @user-xn8xu3fj6s10 ай бұрын

    Drove it for years drive normal and its safe as any other hwy.

  • @user-jo5mp5jk6o

    @user-jo5mp5jk6o

    5 ай бұрын

    have you ever driven it in winter?

  • @squig808
    @squig8088 ай бұрын

    I grew up in W. Canada. It can be absolutely treacherous in winter. Lots of fires in the Summer time, often RV's or overloaded towing (drivetrain going up, brakes going down). Quick weather changes in the shoulder seasons is also wild. I was on it Sept. 2021 : 19 Celsius in Kamploops, then down to -4 and snowing on the highway and everything in between (rain, fog, clouds, etc.).

  • @AdventurePangea

    @AdventurePangea

    8 ай бұрын

    We had a similar experience going over several passes in Wyoming in February a couple years ago. Clear and dry at the base with white-out conditions at the summit. Thankfully there was very little traffic on those roads that time of year. We can’t imagine what tackling the Coq in those conditions would be like.

  • @squig808

    @squig808

    8 ай бұрын

    @@AdventurePangea keep in mind this is no small pass. It's ~190 km (120 mile) high alpine highway with a 120 km/h limit (= 75 mph, amongst the fastest you can legally travel in Canada). Some call it an "extreme freeway".

  • @user-jo5mp5jk6o

    @user-jo5mp5jk6o

    5 ай бұрын

    i have to drive it this weekend, I am pretty worried but I need to make the drive. I know winter tires are recommended but I have M+S tires, is it enough to just drive slower in the snowier parts?

  • @andrewlebedev7749

    @andrewlebedev7749

    4 ай бұрын

    ​@@user-jo5mp5jk6o probably, although I'd strongly recommend keeping those RPMs up driving in lower gear during the steeper parts so that in the event that the grip suddenly falls below expectations you at least have the engine slowing you down to keep you from sliding

  • @222CCXXII
    @222CCXXII Жыл бұрын

    I've seen snow in August at the summit. I think Donner pass in California is worse. Daunting long straight hills.

  • @theravenscatalyst
    @theravenscatalyst7 ай бұрын

    Grew up on the West coast, it’s not so much the highway itself as it is the idiot drivers on the road, who seem to think 120 km/hr is for all conditions and other times just a recommendation and do 130 km/hr.

  • @mrsconline9292
    @mrsconline929211 ай бұрын

    Is the danger the steepness? Would you drive it towing a 30’ RV?

  • @AdventurePangea

    @AdventurePangea

    11 ай бұрын

    Yes, the steepness contributes to the danger, but it’s not the entire source danger. It’s the combination of the steepness and the ice and snow during the colder months where the true danger lies. The steepest part of the Coq is over 20 km (12.5 mi) of a 9% grade. You shouldn’t have any problems towing a 30’ RV over the Coq in the summer. In the winter, it boils down to whether you’re comfortable towing a large RV on a long, steep hill in the ice and snow. Make sure you carry tire chains if you attempt the Coq in the winter. The best alternate route is Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada) through the Fraser Canyon, which is much less steep and stays at lower elevations.

  • @andynieuwenhuis7833

    @andynieuwenhuis7833

    9 ай бұрын

    ​@@AdventurePangeaYou SHOULD drive Interstate 77 from North Carolina, upinto Virginia. In 3 miles You drive up 2,500 feet. I've done that about 4 times as a Truck driver. You'd be going up into the Cumberland gap.

  • @AndrewLumsden

    @AndrewLumsden

    23 күн бұрын

    My uncle regularly used to tow a large RV. You just need a car powerful enough to do so.

  • @stevedavies5553
    @stevedavies5553 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks 4 posting fella. Have driven it in both summer n winter in a semi. You have to respect it or it will bite u in the Ass.