Jim Cathey and his brother have deliberately planned one of the boldest truck camping trips we’ve ever covered: a mid-winter journey from Idaho to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
Click here to read the full in-depth interview on Jim Cathey’s preparation, planning, and the reasoning behind driving to Prudhoe Bay in February.
This page will serve as the home base for trip updates as the Broventure unfolds. We’ll be posting progress reports, conditions, and behind-the-scenes insights along with photos from Jim’s journey north.
We’ll be going live with Jim from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, approximately on February 18th at 5:00 PM Eastern / 2:00 PM Pacific. During the livestream, we’ll check in to confirm that Jim and his brother still have all their fingers and toes intact after battling -40°F temperatures. Viewers will have the opportunity to ask questions in real time by commenting during the livestream and hear directly from Jim about what it’s really like to make this journey to the top of the road.
Stay tuned. And don’t forget to read our exclusive interview with Jim, where he explains why he’s taking on this ambitious winter journey and how he prepared his Ford F-350 and Northern Lite truck camper for the Arctic.
February 2, 2026 – The Journey Begins
Jim Cathey departs from Middleton, Idaho in mid-winter Conditions.
Jim departs from home to pick up his brother, Dave Cathey, before officially hitting the road. The two make a meaningful stop at their mom’s house to say farewell, then set off on their journey.
First stop: Great Falls, Montana!
February 4, 2026 – Border Crossing
The Cathey brothers cross the border into Canada.
The drive is relatively straightforward, though melting snow north of Calgary keeps things interesting. The real moment of tension comes at the Sweet Grass border crossing, where the usual questions unfold:
“Where are you going and why?”
“What did you say?”
“Please pull forward for secondary inspection.”
Fair enough. Saying “Deadhorse, Alaska” out loud in February tends to raise eyebrows.
The Great Broventure article helps provide context. Apparently, a public confession of a questionable idea carries some weight. After secondary inspection, the Broventure is cleared to continue north.
Canada: unlocked.
February 5, 2026
The Broventure departs from Grand Prairie, Alberta, and continues North.
Before leaving town, the brothers stop at Kal Tire in Westlock to swap tires for Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3s, a critical upgrade for the road ahead. The Kal Tire crew also dials in a front-end alignment, upgrades the OEM headlights to LEDs, adjusts the fog lights, checks fluids and brakes, and loads up chains.
So far, the biggest surprise of the trip is the unusually warm winter. The mild conditions allow the Broventure to make better time than expected.
“The endless Alberta prairies are almost behind us,” Jim shares. “Today the terrain finally starts to rise as we push west into British Columbia.”
The road ahead is beginning to change.
More Trip Updates Coming Soon…
