NW WA Meet / BS Thread

Love the brick! Went there 2 yrs ago when we got rained out. Waited out the rain, then went back to red mountain for the night. Also, JDAM is a crazy stud camper man. impervious to cold or discomfort. Makes Bear Grillis look like a pussy.

 

Now that I have cover, I'm tempted to go fair it out. It is rather late tho. Nothing a few cups of coffee and energy drinks won't get me there.

 

Hope you don't get burned... REI changed their return policy a couple years ago so that people would stop returning their worn out gear to get new stuff at no cost.

They MIGHT still accept it, but they gave me a REALLY hard time when I tried to exchange a ski rack a year or so ago. It was in PERFECT condition, but was too tall to fit in my garage. The first two workers told me they would not accept it. One even said, "that's what craigslist is for, bro" which brought me to a conversation with their supervisor, who approved the exchange.

 

Just rolled over Snoqualmie. Looks like a beautiful day today. I'm on my way to the Shell station in Roslyn. I would have hated to come up here yesterday. When it was pissing buckets. Hopefully you dried out overnight and are ready to go off roading this morning.

 

Yeah I know they changed their return policy. The guy at the rack counter even said if I didn't like it just to return it for a full refund. :dunno: this was at the Seattle store.

 

Wheeled up Van Epps pass with JDAM yesterday. Just muddy enough to be fun. Used the slider and armor on one or two occasions. That particular trail would not be good with a stock vehicle yesterday. Rain wasn't that bad until we got to Gallagher Head Lake where it was <45 degrees and blowing sideways. Joe threw out his awning which lasted about 30 minutes until the wind nearly took it away. We then huddled under Joe's rear hatch trying to wait out the storm until we high tailed it back to Roslyn. JDAM brought his brother (Robert) and like Joe said, unwavering campers. In fact, when we left for the Brick, Robert was digging a trench/moat around his tent.

I had talked about it with JDAM but the expectation was for nicer weather this morning so he was geared up to stay the night. The day was a LOT more fun than I made it sound.

 

Finally got to see the abandoned mine shafts at Van Epps pass.

 

I'm currently limping back to Everett. Went out fishing this morning and got seaweed stuck in the jet.. Can only go 5mph.

Glad it went well yesterday though

 

Debating if I should try the annex... that thing is HEAVY!

Also wtf are these straps inside the tent for?

 

Those are to attach to the sides of the tent when you close it up, helps keep things tucked in and makes it easier to close up cleanly. They don't really make much of a difference honestly

 

I thought that's what the bungies were for?

 

You're not high enough off of the ground for the annex. The doors will hang weird, and just be... weird.

As for the straps- I am not sure. I have them too though.

 

Oh whoops yeah youre right. Not sure about the straps either

 

Yeah, that's right.

Something I did... I re-tied the knots in those bungees to make them shorter, and pull harder. Made them actually useful, I think.

 

Those straps are just to help getting in and out. Nice if you only have one arm free but otherwise pretty meh.

 

X2

 

Read the book shades of Grey . You'll figure it out........

 

I'm back alive and just got home because I had to drive my brother to Orting and then drive back home to Issaqauh. We had the proper gear to camp all night and we were warm and dry. Rain and wind kept up until maybe 4-5am. Sunday was beautiful! Saw a big herd of elk with a big ass bull and we saw a couple doe's as well. Full report with pictures later.

 

Just got back from Van Epps trail. Was a gorgeous day. Met Peewee and 13 grey sled at the shell station. Rl206 was to join us later. Beautiful drive! Cle Elum lake looks more like bonneville salt flats. Completely empty! Went up 4330 a ways, and Rl206 caught up with us and brought some buddies in a FJ, an old Ramcharger, and a Dodge crew cab. ( the Dodge boys are maniacs)The crew cab them proceeded to drown his engine in that 1st little pond, so we parked and ate lunch and listened to the Seahawks choke in the 4th until his distributor dried out. ( remember distributors?) had a ton of fun running up the trail, and kudos to 13 grey sled and Rl206 for hanging tough with stock trucks! Lots of scraping noises all around but no real damage. We made it up the rock alley, and up to the fork at the loop, but it was getting late and we decided to turn back. Actually, no matter what angle I took, I could not get traction on that friggin rock ledge at the fork, so THEN, we decided to turn around. Was a beautiful day, lots of fun, and a bit of learning. ( like we learned that 13greysled likes to blast thru ponds so the water goes over his Hood (JDAM)) and THEN worries about his air intake. (JDAM) we also learned that stock mud flaps are quite durable, as none were torn off. Close tho.
Pic is Rl206 3 wheeling it on the turn around. Everyone got wheels about A foot or 2 off the ground. Fun!
I'll post more pics when I get time tomorrow or tues. gotta get up at 4:30 cuz the boss says no work, no paycheck. Sheesh.

 

Were u trying to radio us? We could hear a garbled " ta. Co. World ou. T there? Called back but no response. 3 or 4 times starting about 3 pm till about 5 ish? And thanks for checking back n. We were worried you froze or broke down. BTW saw several does bottom of 4330 and on cle elum lake road. Also several grouse right on the trail.