Out for the Summer

  Weeks of preparations and evenings laying in bed thinking about details; are about to pay off.  The countdown begins until I take the biggest journey of my life.   Hope everything goes to plan, but mentally prepared if it does not.  Flexibility is key, when doing something with a lot of variables. 

  The first 3 weeks of calories is all pre organized and ready to serve.  Food prep is the worst part for me.  Was going to do blogs about meal plans and gear lists, but got too lazy.  Takes a lot of time to put a post together and wanted to focus on other projects before leaving the farm for the summer. Maybe after?

  I have high expectations of capturing some nice photos.  Ordering some spare camera batteries last minute and pick them up next month.  Would like the ability to shoot more video.  There will be certain sections of no charging for 10 days.  It would be nice to leave it all in storage, however I really enjoy reflecting back at the images during the winter months. 

  Look for short updates right here and social media when I come out in various towns to resupply food.  

Walking in wilderness, one of my greatest joys. 

Special thanks to the small companies that keep me comfortable and hydrated on the trail:

• Gossamer Gear
• Luna Sandals
• Sawyer Water Filters
• RailRiders Clothing

Father's Day at Cape Alava

  It was time for a much needed trip into the backcountry with family.  I asked my son if he would rather spend time in the rainforest or the beach.  Since there is so much to explore, he chose the Olympic Coast.  We would spend 4 days 'exiled' from humanity and wander the afternoons away barefoot in sand.

Home for 4 days, Locus Gear Khufu Sil with DPTE. 

Last Day Hike

  Finishing up my training for the season.  No more day trips to me, instead lots of sleeping outdoors ahead.  Feels great to get some endurance back into my legs.  Going into the backcountry with my family this week and then start the main section of my summer directly after.

  I'll share a few photos from the Olympic National Park shot in the last few days.

Ferry, Childs & Mount Barnes (right to left) 

RailRiders Ambassador

  Pleased to announce to be the newest member to Team RailRiders.   They are known for quality and have a good reputation in the hiker community.  I am looking forward to testing future products for them.

Screenshot of the Bio page. 

Up in the rocks

  Looking at the weather window, a friend and I decided to get up high for some views.  This would also be in continuance of our Monday morning cardio ritual in the mountains.  Try to spend a few days inside the ONP or I get grumpy.

  Objective of the day was not to use a trail during the approach and not to fall on the snow; since we would not be using any boots, shoes,ice protection, traction aid or modern climbing equipment of any kind.  The route this day would be 70% snow covered, with lots of hidden snow bridges inside the treeline.  To avoid steep gullies, ended up just bushwhacking straight up the mountain and followed game trails.

  Unfortunately I did not copy down the proper path out of the Climbers Guide before heading out the door.  Ended up going up 'Route II' of Mount Angeles, which is a '2.3'.  I was concerned about down climbing the summit block after the final scramble.  The book suggest rope being used and I'm not that skilled in climbing to come down rock faces feet first.  Was happy to get views from just below the summit, so called it a day.

  Plan on going back soon and going up the 'easier' route, now reading the guide more carefully.    Fresh Mountain Goat and Olympic Marmot tracks were seen in the snow; hope to go back for some photos before I leave.


Update:  Ended up climbing back up the moutain 48 hours later (see below).

Navigating the snowline. 

Old Baldy Trail

  Continuing my obsession with abandoned trails, I set off to scout an old WWII trail for an upcoming trip. This trial, along with the Maynard Burn Trail can be used to connect sections of the Park as a loop or thru- type-hike.

  Little over 5 miles to approach your ascent on this trail, leaves day hiking it a question of reasoning.  Communication wire can be seen in the trees and rolled up in random places on the forest floor, this was used in part of an old lookout on Baldy Mountain.

  The unmarked trail is easy to follow until after 4,000', then land navigation skills are used.  The path is straightforward and follows a spur off the main summit.

  I ended up turning around because of heavy rain in combination of thick over brush at just over 5,000'.  Did not reach the summit this day, but will be back in more favorable conditions.

Old USGS map showing the abandoned Baldy Trail. 

Staying in the Enchanted Valley Chalet

This is Part II of my 7 days in the Park. 

  Met a lot of the Rangers through the years of wandering the Olympic National Park.  After inperson conversations and email correspondence,  I got invited to go on Backcountry Patrol in the East Fork Quinault drainage for 4 days.  We would be staying in an old Hotel that is now an ONP Ranger Station and not open to the public.

  Being interested in Olympic Peninsula history, I got really excited for this trip.  Wanting to photograph the Chalet, before the river destroys this man made structure; purifying the valley to its natural state once again.

   There was also lots of critters in the surrounding area to keep the camera busy.  12 individual Black Bear and 50+ Olympic Elk.  Cool to see the Bulls just getting their antlers back for the season.  Magnificent creatures of the wilderness.

Old Growth windfall.  Sad to see it go.  

Spring melt on the Dose

  My friend Steve and I headed off for 3 days of relaxing up the Dosewallips River drainage.  We would also be walking on a section of the Pacific Northwest Trail.  The primary reason of the trip would be to plan our 13' Bailey Range Traverse.  What better place to do trip planning, than in the Olympic National Park.  This would also be perfect training for my trip in a few weeks.

  It was impressive to see the effects rapid snowmelt in the Park.  The weather also added to river volume.  A perfect chance to test some gear in rainy, damp and cold conditions.  This would be the first part of my 7 days in the backcountry.  After resupply I would head into the Quinault drainage.


 Part II 

Checking out the roaring Dosewallips River.  (see video below)

Walking through seasons in the ONP

  I had originally planned to walk the PNT this year.  After deep thought; during many rainy days this winter, decided that my ONP bucket list takes priority.  Created a mental catalog of all the places I wanted to visit here in the Olympic Mountains through the years.  Did not want to put this the list off for future years and was a greater personal priority than other options.  Visiting some of these areas for the first time and revisiting a few of my favorites.

Mount Olympus at sunrise.  Views from camp during my 2012 solo traverse of the Bailey Range.  

Barefoot in Escalante, Utah

  I would like to share a few things not covered in my Escalante, Utah post.  It is hard to get images you wanted to share all into one blog, when there was 3 memory cards full of good shots.

Locus Gear Khufu Sil at sunrise.  A design that has been around before humans.