The Hazard Chronicles

We just got back from one of the coolest backpacking trips I have ever been on. We started the day before at the beach- doing beach things. We then walked, in sequence, through lowland forests, into a temperate rainforest, up into more of a subalpine old-growth coniferous area, and then high above tree-line onto an alpine glacier. I mean, from an ecological standpoint alone, I feel like we've been on a world tour! 

In all, we walked roughly forty miles over the course of three days, climbing around 4500 feet in the process. The whole family went, and everyone carried their own gear including tents and eating supplies. Group gear and camp work was split more-or-less equally between everyone. Personally, I felt more like a member of a team rather than a guide. We all agreed at the end that it was more challenging than we had originally expected, but that it was worth it.

I'll put a bunch of captioned photos on here, but they'll never be able to do justice to the experience. What a trip!

The backpacking trip was a thing that will go down in the highlight reel for the entire year, but we actually did a few other things this week as well. We'll start with those:

The kids all invited a bunch of their friends to go hang out in Wallace for a day.

Independence day happened because we aren't owned by Britain anymore. We did some fireworks, but not a lot. I have nostalgia from the days when sparklers and flowers and fountains were still cool. Whistling Petes, Toy tanks, Smoke Bombs, Roman Candles, and Bottle Rockets were all a part of my childhood, each with a rather sketchy fuse that made things exciting.

We got a few small things, but the real show now happens from our roof. I don't know if laws changed, or if it's just a cultural thing, but the firework show we get from our neighborhood is seriously better than any of the city-sponsored events of my youth. That is not an exaggeration. Again, I have some nostalgia here, because when I think back on those shows, it wasn't just about the spectacle. It was also about setting out blankets and lawn chairs with your family sitting next to the rest of your community, and kids running around empty areas of grass with friends and siblings, and lemonade and the smell of burgers or hot dogs, and being really tired at the end but still having to drive home and then going to bed in relative silence.

Ugh. I sound old. Trigger Warning- I'm gonna rant a bit. "Back in the good ol' days" is cliche', But in this case, I'm sticking to my guns. It was better back then. And more patriotic too- in that, "patriotism" wasn't about saying a big fat macho "F you" to everyone who disagreed with you. It was more of a gratitude thing. "America the Beautiful" was just as relevant as "Battle Hymn of the Republic." I much prefer the former, and that part of our culture seems to have gone down the memory hole.

Again, maybe it's just a local thing. It seems like more than that though. I'm jaded and don't really want any part of it. The current brand of so-called "patriotism" is a huge turn-off for me.

One thing that remains constant- the joy of fire

There is no editing here (I don't think- Rach took it though). The sky really was that color, probably from other fireworks going off at the same time.

Happy independence day. Home of the brave...and stuff.

Backpacking trip:

We actually stayed the first night in Aberdeen- childhood home of the legendary Kurt Cobain. This is a little monument in town, with Evelyn acting as tour guide. The real monument, perhaps, are the people just outside of the photo smoking a bong. That, the joint-littered ground, and the sign warning you to watch for discarded needles stand as evidence of one favored way for disciples to honor his memory.

Jack and Maren went out far enough that the waves were well above their head. Everyone else preferred to stay dry.

Just goofing around

Here we are, all fresh and ready to go

About one mile into the trip, Addy's backpack broke (notice her right shoulder strap with no lower extension). After another few miles, the other strap did the same thing. I have no idea why this happened- they just snapped and sort of disintegrated. It makes me reconsider how much I trust all my climbing gear.

We made some straps out of duct tape that lasted the rest of the trip without any other issues. I'm kind of proud of that.

As you look through these photos you will notice a few with VERY green or other vibrant colors. You'll have to take my word for it- this really does depict the reality of where we were. No enhancement needed.

The water of the Hoh river was the color of Gatorade

One of the easier stream crossings

This place is straight out of a fairytale

For the most part, the trail was well marked and pretty easy to follow. This was not that part.

These three girls shared a tent. Ev carried the tent, Addy got the fly, and Maren took the poles.

Jack brought this little bivy sack

Lindsey, wanting to keep the weight down, opted for the little emergency bivy that I sometimes bring with me on ultralight backcountry endeavors. Ironically, I think she slept better than anyone! 

Our little home away from home

Remember how she didn't bring much in the way of shelter? I think it was to make room for her make-up kit. Seriously?

Jackson, making some dinner

There was a lot of water and lushness for long stretches of the trail. Though we had great weather the whole time, they don't call it a rainforest for nothing.

Lindsey at the pump

There was some wildlife along the way. It's kind of hard to tell, but Ev is holding a frog. We saw about a hundred of these little guys as we were hiking.

As we got higher, there were more conifers and less moss, but the lush blanket of ferns remained.

As we neared the glacier, drinking straight from the stream became "safe." I put that it quotes, because I would never officially recommend this practice, but have been doing it for a long time and have never actually seen anyone get sick from drinking straight glacier melt.

Ev is proud of this great picture

Let's not forget the time that Jackson sprayed himself in the face with bug spray without closing his eyes first. Brilliant.

This was a neat feature of the hike, and was enough to cancel the rest of the trip for the people just in front of us. The rope ladder is steeper and longer than the pictures makes it look, and the exposure is real. We loved it!

Rachel and Maren on the descent

The four of us hiked all the way up to the glacier. It was worth it!

This butterfly bonded with Maren

As we were cleaning up camp, a deer came out to bid us farewell. It was clearly accustomed to having people around.

A little worse for the wear, but we made it!

Have a good week!