THE ROUTE RECCE...A Practical Process

The Rockies near Cadomin (photo by V.A. McMillan, 2022)

 The ROUTE RECCE

Ever wonder what it might have been like to be a scout back in the olden days?? Tasked with finding a pass through the mountains or finding a route between two base or hunting camps?? Scouting of yore has become reconnaissance or RECCE. The purpose remains the same, only the tools and time to achieve success have changed. Now you have hours or maybe days to complete a mission, not weeks or months. So, let’s delve into conducting a ROUTE RECCE, shall we…

Conducting a recce is to solve the classic problem by answering the 5 “W”s. The route recce is merely a specific type of recce patrol with the express mission to find the route or prove the route is still passable.

Where: General location or specific route(s), Areas on a map

Why: Purpose or Mission

When: NLT (No Later Than), Start Time/Date, End Time/Date, Season

What: What vehicles? What equipment/gear? What fuel? What food? What water?

Who: The Recce Team

The route recce process, can be broken down into three main steps:

Step One – Conduct a map recce. Meaning gather maps of the area of interest and review the maps to learn as much as you can about terrain, roads, paths, communities, waterways, and other known hazards (like mines, dams, or active logging). Maps can consist of physical paper maps, digital maps, or using online sources like Google Maps SATVIEW.

Step Two – Access any and all OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) to gather the most up-to-date information on your target area. This can include guidebooks, trail reports by previous trail users, blog posts, or vlog reports on YouTube. In addition, you can ask locals in the area, questions about the route and any known hazards to be aware of, such as de-activated logging/resource roads, washed out culverts, or damaged bridges. This step is also a good time to learn where you can resupply enroute – fuel for vehicles, food, or water.

Step Three – Conduct the ROUTE RECCE. This is when you actually get to travel the route in question. The whole purpose of conducting the route recce is to gather firsthand intel on the condition of the route and whether it meets the needs of those who requested the report. Step Three concludes once the route has been traveled, the route report is written, and delivered to requester.

The ROUTE REPORT contains a wealth of information that will aid others in traveling through the area in question. The report can be organized in the following manner, unless instructed to follow a specific format for your organization or group.

The SUMMARY will begin the report to give decision makers who are pressed for time the core information. Use the BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) format, meaning the most important information first.

Follow the BLUF with the 5 “W”s – Where, Why, When, What, and Who.

The next section will be the FINDINGS. In this section you will want to detail:

HAZARDS & OBSTACLES

ROUTE CONDITIONS & WEATHER DURING RECCE

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

LOCATION of:

·       FUEL SOURCES

·       WATER

·       SHELTER/CAMPS

·       REPAIR FACILITIES

·       SUPPLIES

·       COMMS

WATER CROSSINGS

·       BRIDGES

·       FORDS

·       FERRY

·       SWIM

The final section will be the RECOMMENDATIONS, where those conducting the route recce convert their observations into recommendations that will prevent misunderstandings. Key recommendations can include:

ROUTE RECOMMENDATIONS – If there are multiple routes in the area, recommend the route that meets the needs of the organization/group. Include maps with the recommended route clearly marked.

VEHICLE RECOMMENDATIONS – 4x4, Long Wheelbase, Short Wheelbase, Narrow Track, or ATV only. High clearance or load restrictions. Tools, recovery gear, or accessories that would improve travel success along the route, should also be included.

RESUPPLY RECOMMENDATIONS – Whether taking extra fuel jerry cans is necessary or whether ice to refill coolers can be easily obtained along the route. Similarly, is water easily procured or should water jerry cans be carried.

On a recent route recce, I encountered one of those challenges that did not show up during the map recce…namely, that the route was not passable. When approaching the subject area local road signs notified road users that there was a washout, and the route was NOT passable. My intelligence gathering did not end with just believing the posted sign. I went to the top end of the trail and spoke with a local and asked if the route was driveable or not. They let me know that quads can drive the route and some 4x4 get through, too. This meant I was going to have to have a closer look at the obstacle and determine for myself what the situation was. Thankfully, the washout section of the route was passable during dry, late summer conditions. 

The Washout (photo by V.A. McMillan, 2022)

Google SatView of the Washout & Camp

While it was truthful that a section of the road had been washed away in a past flood, the route was passable for those who had a vehicle and driving skills to navigate this obstacle. This was not Darren’s Gap, after all. The not knowing added to the adventure and sense of exploration.

The other part of enjoying this adventure was using my vehicle as my mobile shelter. 

Mountainman's Camp (photo by V.A. McMillan)

As you may recall I did some mods last year to increase the versatility of my vehicle by removing part of my backseats and installing a sleep platform (seen here https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/tahoe-mods-sleep-platform-designed-by.html). I enjoy being self-contained and highly mobile, which works well when conducting a ROUTE RECCE.

 

Until next time…go out and explore!

Mountainman.