NW WA Meet / BS Thread

Agreed!!! Im in...

 

This VVV Are you still interested?

 

Do it!

Talked to the ranger a few weeks ago, said that the Dug Bar trail was still snowed in and inaccessible. I'd hazard a guess that with all of this warm weather, the snow has melted away by now..

Check out the National Parks Website and Acmemapper/Caltopo.

Maybe Whipsaw in August, Mike? (Digi)

I'll be watching!

 

memorial day weekend would be a bad idea to go east. Sasquatch music festival is happening at the gorge that weekend, plus other idiots will be looking for a first camping trip of the year on a long weekend. traffic will be fucked to say the least. camp grounds will probably be filled up unless you already have reservations.

if it is an easier trail, i might be able to make it memorial weekend, however that isn't for sure yet, as my wife may be going to sasquatch, and if she does, she will probably want to take the truck, not the jetta.

i am definitely open to people coming to my place and tearing through blackberry bushes and testing their 4w drifting.

 

Since I am still a noob regarding the local trails I don't have much input. I am still down for Memorial Day weekend. A mix of higher speed fire roads plus some technical sections would be cool. Camping and shooting guns would be cool too.

Though if there is a chance there might be snow on the trail should I pick up some chains?

In any case, as long as I can rock out in 4wd I will be happy!

 

I don't think chains are really necessary.. With all of the associated issues with clearing UCAs, etc..

If the snow is deep enough to where you think you need chains, the better move would be to turn around. Getting a truck turned around on a single lane trail can be a royal PITA. Spent a few hours with winch and snatch block last month in Mount Baker National Forest doing just that.

Just don't be afraid to bag your tires when you need to. As long as someone in the group has an adequate compressor, you'll be fine....Mike's got that ARB twin that should work pretty well .

Really wish I could join you guys, just don't think that work will permit me to.

Side note:

I think a group HAM study session or something along those lines would be pretty cool. I've been studying for the last week off and on, and am testing tonight in Portland at 8PM.

I know that I was under the impression that a CB would be great for emergency trail communications. They're not. Plain and simple. If you think you can get out with a [Legal] 5 watt CB you're delirious.

Just about every area that I've explored solo has been without cell coverage, I'd consider myself pretty lucky so far. Decided to stop relying on just good luck alone..

Maybe start up a Sub-Thread?

 

I do want to do Whipsaw. Actually been thinking of an expedition that begins at the Columbia river, goes all the way to Nighthawk on the Canadian border and adding Whipsaw on to that. Here is more info on the Wa part of it:

http://www.backcountrydiscoveryroutes.com/WABDR

I will not be able to do anything else this August. I'm already committed to this:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-roading-trails/262644-epic-wy-mt-co-adventure.html

 

^^^ This sounds awesome. A month I could not do but a week or so wheeling at Whipsaw and BC would be awesome later this summer. We could descend upon Oz's privacy and drag him along.

Just saw Sean on Thursday evening. He was headed out for 2 weeks in Moab and other parts the next morning. That bastard He has a sweet new rear bumper fabbed for his 4Runner but I'll let Sean fill you guys in.

 

I hadn't heard anything more so I don't have details to plan for. I need info if we are doing stuff.

Good point, though I think that might just be along 90 then.

Chains are an excellent thing to have for rear tires and really make the driving easier. However, my sentiments are that it's one of those things you would rather not have to deal with.

I'm almost agreeing here, but I've seen chains work great for slippery snow that wasn't deep. When you start needing chains for deep stuff, yeah, it's time to go back. At best, you just get into a bunch of digging soon


Whipsaw sounds like a fun thing, but I'm not going to have time this year. I have camping at south beach and then camping in Methow Valley later this year, going to eat all the vacation up!

 

My latest mod! there are a few more details in my build thread, but I just wanted to share with the local gang! I need to test this mod out on our next offroad adventure.

 

Right on! Excellent idea..

It can be a little challenging to judge the distance that my ARB bumper sticks out - took a few days to get accustomed to once I put it on. Still make quite a few close turns hoping that the front end of a Civic isn't going to be dangling off my winch thimble!!

Coulda used one in Portland last night!

 

Dude. That is a bad ass idea.

 

That would be handy in the city

 

I love using the front cam to get within inches of the car in front of me when the driver is still sitting in his car heh heh

 

Sorry man, not a lot of new information. I did talk to the fs office in Halfway and in Enterprise today. They both said basically the same thing. The main north/south road (fs-39) is not officially open yet. Tho they plan to have it cleared for the memorial day weekend. Wont know for sure until next wed-thrus.

Right now the plan is to meet up with Ben - m3bassman, in clarkston on Sat morning (the 25th), head south on US95 to McMall and have lunch at Chef Geoff's resteraunt in McCall. Then continue south to ID71 and head east to the snake river and hells canyon.

From there depends on the whether FS-39 is open or not. Should be there about 1-2 pm. I will have more exact information as we get closer.

 

I MIGHT be able to tag along..

Too early to tell at this moment. I think we might have to boat in Newport, OR through Memorial Day Weekend.

I've got your cell, Mike - keep me posted!!

 

Awesome man. Send me a text when you know more so we can figure it out.

 

Hee, reminds me of one of the late model Rovers they have out. Something like 16 cameras on that thing

 

You guys should meet me at Geoff's place July 10th as well... then we can caravan up to Seattle...

 

i'm guessing you mean cleared of snow? I have only been out that way in late summer so I'm not really aware of the weather now.
If it looks like all we are doing is pounding pavement, I don't think I will go - I don't mean to be a jerk about that, but it feels like I've been up and down freeways a lot lately.