Get Ready for Summer Gear Guide
A Publication of Washington Trails Association | wta.org
Your Guide to
Backpacking Trip Planning, Gear Selection, Trail Etiquette and More!
May+Jun 2013
Grizzlies in the Kettles William O. Douglas Trail
May+Jun 2013
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NW Explorer Backpacking for Beginners
2013 Gear Guide »
You've day hiked all over the state, but you've never strapped on one of those big packs and taken the leap into overnight backpacking. Here's 10 pages of introductory advice and how-to tips—from choosing the right pack and meal planning to choosing a campsite and storing your food—all to help get you out in the wilds longer and farther than ever before. » p.16
News+Views
Trail Talk » Triple Crown hiker Brian Lewis » p.7 Hiking News » New park coming to Whatcom Co. » p.8 Stehekin Road project plans » p.8 Volcano awareness month » p.10
WTA at Work
Trail Work » Janice Van Cleve Puncheon building: where and how » p.12 Action for Trails » Jonathan Guzzo Sharing the trails » p.14 Youth & Family » Krista Dooley Desert hiking in spring » p.15
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Washington Trails | May+Jun 2013 | wta.org
Get ready for summer backpacking with these selections from WT's gear team. Top backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, cookwear, boots and apparel. » p.26
NW Weekend: Dayton, WA » Aaron Theisen Head for the Blue Mountains and sample the local trails, history and flavor of southeast Washington. » p.34
Epic Trails: William O. Douglas » David Hagen From Yakima's shrub-steppe to Mount Rainier's old growth, hike Washington's newest long-distance trail. » p.50
Trail Mix
Tales from the Trail » Craig Romano Grizzlies in Washington's Kettle Range, and recalling past encounters » p.37 Nature Nook » Tami Asars Birds, beasts and blooms in the NW: Redbellied sapsucker, pika and bitterroot » p.38 Snapshot » Paul Raymaker Cool, free photography apps to capture your hike on your smartphone » p.39 Trail Eats » Sarah Kirkconnell Easy-prep breakfast, lunch and dinner for your next backpacking outing » p.40 Hike It » Eight great trails for first-time backpackers— and good for day hiking too! » p.41
The 2-person MSR Nook Tent, perfect for quick weekends or backcountry treks. See more in this issue's gear guide on page 26.
Guest Contributors TAMI ASARS is a writer, photographer and
career hiker. She has spent her lifetime exploring the trails and backcountry in Washington, from the Olympic Coast to the Okanogan, and all points in between. In addition to working on her second Washington hiking guidebook, Tami is a regular contributor to Washington Trails' hiking and nature sections. Tami lives in North Bend with her husband and their dog Summit.
Paul Raymaker is a geologist who discovered nature photography while spending a summer in the mountains of Colorado. Since then, he hasn’t put his camera down. Nature photography is now Paul’s passion, his goal being to show others the beauty that surrounds us, and encouraging others to care for their environment. Despite having recently moved from Seattle to St. Louis Park, MN, Paul is still a regular contributor to Washington Trails.
John Floberg serves as executive director of the Washington State Parks Foundation. Originally hailing from NYC, Washington’s peaks, coastlines, rivers and vast open spaces called to him. He is forever grateful to call this place his home; for the subalpine meadows, the hulking giant trees and for more adventures to be had than in a lifetime of wanderings. John is in his happy place.
Craig Romano grew up in rural New Hampshire, where he bonded with the natural world. He is the author of nine books, including the new Day Hiking Eastern Washington, Backpacking Washington, and Columbia Highlands: Exploring Washington’s Last Frontier, which was recognized in 2010 as a Washington Reads book for its contribution to the state’s cultural heritage. He lives with his wife Heather in Skagit County.
David Hagen was born and raised in Seattle. As a child of long-time Seattle Mountaineers, he's been hiking and backpacking in the Cascades for his entire life; in the Columbia Basin for almost 35 years. He became interested in photography in the 1970s and is largely self-taught. David serves on the board of directors of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy; he was also president for a time. Now retired, he lives in Yakima.
CHERYL TALBERT is an avid hiker and backpacker who loves extended high-country treks in the U.S. West and abroad. A retired forester, she lives in Issaquah with her husband and dogs, and ventures often with The Mountaineers on hikes, backpacks, snowshoes and long-distance treks. As a nutrition expert, Cheryl teaches Mountaineers classes on backpacking food planning and preparation.
Dr. Roanne Rouse Houck, N.D. is a licensed naturopathic physician specializing in optimal health with expertise in sport nutrition and mountain health. She is a graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR. Dr. Houck owns The Main Street Clinic in Gunnison, CO, and is the founder and president of Acli-Mate Natural Sports Drinks. Dr. Houck lives in Gunnison where she enjoys being outdoors with her family.
Aaron Theisen is a Spokane-based freelance writer and photographer specializing in the wild places of the Inland Northwest. Among Aaron’s many hats, he is the editor of the Friends of the Columbia Highlands website, works with the Washington Native Plant Society and is one of Washington Trails' top regional contributors, in addition to his primary job as a stay-at-home father to his young son.
Cover Shot Craig Romano captured this shot from Liberty Cap on the way to High Pass deep within the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Craig recalls how it was early morning and the sun radiantly defined Glacier Peak, Washington’s forgotten volcano, as well as offered a nice perspective upon the headwaters of the Suiattle River. In his photo, Craig captured two backpackers from the Czech Republic who were on a multiday trip into the Neepequa Valley. According to Craig, “It was one of the most visually stunning and physically exhilarating backpacking trips that any of us had ever done.”
Join the WT Team! Are you an avid Washington hiker? Do you submit trip reports or blog about your adventures to share with others? Can you take a pretty good photo too? Then you should consider becoming a Washington Trails regional correspondent. Our team of statewide “hiking pros” are the ones that create much of the great content you read about in the pages of Washington Trails and see on wta.org, all to help hikers get out and enjoy the best that Washington’s wild areas have to offer. For more information on how you can become a Washington Trails regional correspondent email editor@wta.org. Washington Trails | May+Jun 2013 | wta.org
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