Back from the Blue Mountains.

tarmix101

tarmix101

Joined
Jun 14, 2005
Messages
2,962
It was an awesome trip. Started out at 2800', and ended up at 6000' after a 5 mile hike. Found a beautiful meadow and camped back in the tree line. We ran into snow about 5000', and had to side hill quite a bit. Didn't expect it, but we were prepared none the less. We roped up just in case, but didn't need to really.

We ended up coming back a day early due to heavy rain that night. We had to cross two creeks on the way up, and the snow was firm enough to hold us, but we were afraid the the heavy rain might swell the creeks, and soften the snow. I was not wanting to hike down sinking up to my thighs for over a mile. So we did the smart thing and got off the mountain.

All I took was my Vic Farmer, Opi saw, and Wetterlings hatchet. No fixed blade at all, and I lived to tell about it. ;)

Also, for anyone looking for a good bivy, I used the Outdoor Research Alpine bivy. Rained ALL NIGHT and besides a little condensation I was perfectly dry. Great light weight bivy.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/alpine_bivy.html?id=UzNTacdx:67.135.214.90

Pics:

Tuccanon River:
IMG_0447.jpg


Trail for about 4 miles:
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Me doing my best Lewis and Clark pose:
IMG_0449.jpg


Lady Bugs:
IMG_0454.jpg


Spring run off:
IMG_0459.jpg


Trail for the last mile:
IMG_0473.jpg


Views:
IMG_0462.jpg


IMG_0465.jpg


IMG_0475.jpg
 
Looks like a beautiful place! That last pic is breath-taking. How about a gear run-down?
 
Rockywolf said:
Looks like a beautiful place! That last pic is breath-taking. How about a gear run-down?
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  • REI Evening Star Backpack
  • Kelty 20 degree mummy bag
  • Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy
  • Egg Crate sleeping pad from fabric store cut down (light and cheap ;))
  • SAK Farmer
  • Wetterlings 15" hunters hatchet
  • Opinel Saw

We purified water, and cooked with fire. I had about 32 LB on my back this trip. Wanted to keep it light, and 32 LB for me is light. I know some can get away with 25 LB and less, I just can never get under the 30 LB mark unless I know I'm only going for one day.:confused:
 
Thank you. What did you bring to eat, and did you have any bear meetings or other critters?
 
Last edited:
Rockywolf said:
Thank you. What did you bring to eat, and did you have any bear meetings or other critters?
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Jerky, trail mix, Cliff bars, and dry packaged rice meals.

We saw some Elk, and deer. Ran into some Black Bear scat and tracks, bit no visits.......... that I know of anyway.
 
That was a Lewis and Clark pose? I thought you had a little Captain in ya:D

Great pics and thanks for sharing:thumbup:
 
great pics man...:thumbup: that is such a beautiful area...:eek: that last pic is amazing..
 
tonym said:
That was a Lewis and Clark pose? I thought you had a little Captain in ya:D

Great pics and thanks for sharing:thumbup:
Click to expand...

ROTFL Yeah, you'd think a small flask of Captain Morgans would've snuck in.

Awesome pics, thank you much for sharing.
 
Looks like a great trip. I really like that last shot as well - clouds are really dramatic.
 
You've got a "Blue Mountains" over there to! Yours actually appear to be mountains, the Blue Mountains over here only just qualify as mountains half the time.

I like the look of that cheap foam mat option. I'm also a big fan of cargo pants, I can hold everything I need in those pockets and only have to open my pack when it's time for a big meal or time to set up camp.
How were you purifying water? I've found tablets effective but the water tastes crap, combined with some Gatorade powder it's all good though.

Cheers for the pics.
 
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