Sections 1 & 2 of WABDR 7/28-7/30/17

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Seattle206

Seattle206

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Completed sections 1 & 2 this weekend and man...I must say it was an awesome experience. Just hanging out with friends and exploring Washington together made this trip so worth it. We are excited to complete sections 3-6 next summer. This is the first time where any of us did an "overland" type of trip. Normally when we camp its just a backpacking trip or to a campsite for some glamping.

Day 1: 7/28/2017

Buddy and I didn't get to leave Seattle until 5. The two other rigs were already en route down to Carson, WA since they took a half day at work. Knowing how shitty I-5 traffic is during Friday rush hour I was estimating it would take about 4.5 hours to get down to the Bridge of Gods. Nope, dead wrong. Crashes, road work and an oil spill decided to occur at the same time we hit the road. It took 3.5 hours from Seattle to Dupont, WA(which normally takes 40 mins when clear). We didn't get to Carson until midnight. It took 7 hours total which would have been normally 3.5 hours.

3.5 hours from Seattle to Dupont, 5:00 pm -8:30 pm. Just horrible. Friday evening rush hour, collisions, road work and an oil spill. That's Washington for ya! Luckily my buddy and I kept things entertaining by talking smack through the traffic jam. (BTW, I'm a law breaker too for using an electronic device while driving)

OB #3007

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Finally reached the Bridge of Gods on the OR/WA border that crosses the Columbia River. BTW, there is a $2 toll for those who are unaware. It's a pretty cool steel bridge.

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To Stevenson/Carson, WA

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Seattle206

Seattle206

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Topped off fuel in Carson before searching for my friends who found a cool campsite on the WABDR. Drove about another 1 hour before I found their pin-drop on Gmaps.

We reached the campsite by 1 AM tired, hungry and just wanted to sleep. I unloaded the 4Runner, ditched the tent and just slept in the back. It was dark and we had no clue how the area really looked until day break.

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Seattle206

Seattle206

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Day 2: 7/29/17

Woke up to a spectacular sight with Mt. Hood in the background. My friends found this nifty spot that can fit all 3 vehicles plus space to set up our table and cooking station.

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This Fiskers axe made easy work of that log we brought

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WADBR map which we never used. We relied on GAIA during the whole trip. The physical is useful to have just in case.

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Tembo skottle grill cooking up our unhealthy breakfast.

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and the skottle grill with Mt. Hood in the background.

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Jameson with Mt. Hood, ya know to warm up the body. We woke up at 6 AM so it was kind of chilly.

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Cheers!

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Journey begins!

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Seattle206

Seattle206

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Day 2: 7/29/17

After breakfast we followed the section 1 route and visited Gifford Pinchot National Forest Ice Cave.

Taco vs T4R

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Gifford Pinchot Ice Cave

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Shameless selfie as we descend down into the bat cave.

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Cave shots.

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Caught this cute little guy outside of the cave.

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Airing down for a more comfortable ride through section 1.

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20 psi should do it for these C loads.

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Seattle206

Seattle206

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Day 2: 7/29/17

Taking a break from driving so somebody else can take the lead. Section 1 is all dirt and gravel roads, no 4WD necessary. Can be done in any 2wd passenger car. Dust kicks up so bad at times whoever is trailing needs to slow down for the dust to clear before proceeding.

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Finished section 1 to Packwood to refill on fuel and water. Off to section 2!

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Section 2 Packwood to Ellensburg, WA:

Burnt forest

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Airing up/down/up/down started becoming a routine by now.

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Rimrock lake and Mt. Rainier in the background.

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Off a basalt rock cliff.

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Group shot

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Section 2 is so much better than section 1 in every way. More scenic, tighter and more technical trails. Not difficult at all but just more entertaining. There is an easy bypass in section 2 but that would take all the fun away. Mos def stick with the route on Bethel Ridge.


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Even the big tree can make it through the tight turns.

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Seattle206

Seattle206

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Day 2: 7/29/17

By 7 pm we decided to find a good spot to set up camp. Got to this nice clearing on Bethel Ridge to rest for the night. Time for dinner, we were hungry after hours of trail time.

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Marketing shot for #YETI and #Scepter MWC

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Kevin putting in work on the skottle sauteing some mushrooms and onions.

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Cooking up some andouille sausage with mushrooms and onions.

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USDA choice Ribeyes on the charcoal grill. Sorry, but the Tembo skottle grill can't cook a steak right. We eating good tonight.

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Dinner is ready.

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Finished off the night by killing the bottle of Jameson by the camp fire.

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Seattle206

Seattle206

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Day 3: 7/30/17

Sunday, last day of our trip and to finish off section 2. We had a great nights sleep with surprising low wind. Cooked up breakfast, cleaned up our area and off to the Ellensburg.

IPA to start the morning.

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Shoooot...we are Asian after all so we made some fried rice with the skottle grill. This thing is quite versatile.

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Our view from camp before we say goodbye.

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Found a steep hill climb for fun. Too easy.

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On to our last stretch through Umtanum Ridge to Ellensburg.

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Finally put that Rotopax to use. First time using for an "offroad" adventure and the spout decided to break. I think this thing is better suited for filling up the lawn mower.

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Airing up before heading back to Seattle.

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And 2.5 hours later we make it back home to Seattle. This time the view of Mt. Rainier is on the other side. Rig is covered with dust inside and out. Going to spend several hours cleaning and wiping everything down and storing the gear away until next time.

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Seattle206

Seattle206

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My buddy had originally traced the map out and we followed it. It was near 100% accurate maybe slight route variations here and there.
 
20DYNAMITE07

20DYNAMITE07

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Seattle206 said:
Completed sections 1 & 2 this weekend and man...I must say it was an awesome experience. Just hanging out with friends and exploring Washington together made this trip so worth it. We are excited to complete sections 3-6 next summer. This is the first time where any of us did an "overland" type of trip. Normally when we camp its just a backpacking trip or to a campsite for some glamping.

Day 1: 7/28/2017

Buddy and I didn't get to leave Seattle until 5. The two other rigs were already en route down to Carson, WA since they took a half day at work. Knowing how shitty I-5 traffic is during Friday rush hour I was estimating it would take about 4.5 hours to get down to the Bridge of Gods. Nope, dead wrong. Crashes, road work and an oil spill decided to occur at the same time we hit the road. It took 3.5 hours from Seattle to Dupont, WA(which normally takes 40 mins when clear). We didn't get to Carson until midnight. It took 7 hours total which would have been normally 3.5 hours.

3.5 hours from Seattle to Dupont, 5:00 pm -8:30 pm. Just horrible. Friday evening rush hour, collisions, road work and an oil spill. That's Washington for ya! Luckily my buddy and I kept things entertaining by talking smack through the traffic jam. (BTW, I'm a law breaker too for using an electronic device while driving)

OB #3007

View attachment 30636

View attachment 30533

View attachment 30534

Finally reached the Bridge of Gods on the OR/WA border that crosses the Columbia River. BTW, there is a $2 toll for those who are unaware. It's a pretty cool steel bridge.

View attachment 30535

View attachment 30536

To Stevenson/Carson, WA

View attachment 30537
Click to expand...

Love your photos! What bumper are you running?
 
Ubiety

Ubiety

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Looks awesome! Thanks for the camp food shots! :)

Bridge of the Gods! Traveled over that a few times with my dad/grandpa as a child - I am still traumatized :)
 
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GXnGS

GXnGS

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Great pics that really capture the experience! Wish I had been there especially for that incredible dinner. Damn you guys do it right.
 
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