Matt_Alford Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 (edited) Trip: Bailey Traverse - The Anniversary Route Date: 8/4/2012 Trip Report: Among my many marital duties is planning Jenny's and my annual anniversary adventure. While it is true that this trip has historically included a sufficient amount exercise, I hardy think it deserves the "Jenny proves she is tough enough to be married to Matt another year trip" designation it has come to be known by among Jenny's co-workers and friends. I guess that time Jenny got a moderate case of Rhabdomyolysis while descending from El Dorado and hobbled around work for a week left lasting a impression. That which does not kill us make us stronger. I am left to conclude that either Jenny somewhat enjoys the pain or has a really short memory as she continues to let me plan a week-long trip every August in celebration of another year of our union. I promised Jenny outrageously beautiful wildflowers, plentiful wildlife, outstanding campsites and a full on adventure. The Bailey Traverse didn't come up short in any of these criteria and also featured plenty of side-hilling on exposed terrain, gully-hell, the most robust populations of mosquitos I have ever encountered and a fair dose of good old-fashioned bushwacking. My wife is tougher that she knows and showed some real character on this trip. I can't think of a better way to celebrate my marriage than wandering through such beautiful terrain for week in the company of my wife. Gear Notes: Bug Juice and a 5th of whiskey Front Door Adventures Edited August 19, 2012 by Matt_Alford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genepires Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 nice one Matt. what no biking from seattle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 lucky man. no bearz? dig the log photo - looks like the evil rock-messenger in "return to oz" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sol Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Hells to the Yeah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_Alford Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Plenty O' bears, just not quick enough with the Canon. I must commend the NPS for their effort at keeping the bears wild in the Olympics. At Ferry Basin a bear approached 150 meters to camp, had a sniff and wandered off. That night he returned and took a big dump on right next to the food cache and again about 50 meters from camp. Didn't f*** with us and still weary of people. I like it that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genepires Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 can the NPS take credit for that? education of visitors to not be a dumb-ass? (what is plural for dumb-ass?) was your food cache strung up a tree? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 can the NPS take credit for that? education of visitors to not be a dumb-ass? (what is plural for dumb-ass?) was your food cache strung up a tree? There aren't a lot of good hanging trees on the traverse. Ferry basin is better, but still the NPS forces parties on this route to carry a bear canister. At least, they did as of a few years ago. It's a really good policy, especially given the lack of good hanging opportunities throughout much of the route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_Alford Posted August 26, 2012 Author Share Posted August 26, 2012 Yes, that is exactly what I am referring to Rob. As much as I dislike carrying heavy and awkward bear canisters, If it helps in reducing the chance of negative bear-human interactions I fully support the policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainsloth Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 stellar! I too am impressed with how we have ALL kept the bear population out of our human population in the Olympics. I always see them on backpacking trips, but from a distance, the way it should be. Hardcore wife, you must have found a good one. Happy anniversary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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