Last minute advise? Leaving for Olympic N.F. this

“I'm leaving on my weeklong trip to the Olympic N.P. this Saturday. Gonna hike the Hoh rain forest for a few days, up to the snowline, then hike the coast trail for a few days.

Any last minute advise? I've already gotten good polypro layering and raingear, arranged to rent a bear can from the ranger station, and printed out the tide tables which I'll watch very carefully. Any last minute tips appreciated.”

“Tide tables for the Hoh River Trail?

If you are actually hiking on the coast, watch out for the logs that got away.”

“Good luck Steve Hiker. Have fun!!”

“You'll have a great time. It's really a magic place. Try and get up to Shi Shi Beach. Be sure and buy the large scale topo map of the coast. The small one doesn't show the high water bypasses in detail, a fact that cost me an afternoon of bushwhacking through coastal rainforest - not an easy task. If you get up towards Boulder Creek, there are a lot of hot springs right out of the camping area. Really nice after a day's hike.

I'm jealous! Been 10 years since I've been there. Lucky you!”

“snow level - 3000 ft today.

Get up early while on the beach and watch the wildlife. Eagles, sea lions, deer, occasionally bear. Man, I wish I could go!
Other than that, you got the rest of the bases covered. Stream water levels can be much higher than expected this time of year. Crossings may be wet.”

“lucky dog!! have a safe time. Keep your feet dry and think about taken some B/W photos.”

“Don't forget some cheeseballs.”

“Sat photos show a big system blowing in off the ocean, it will be WET while you're here. Trails up the west side valleys will be mudbogs but the rain forests will stand in all their glory. Rain will be flyin' sideways on the beach, but the surf will be Rockin' and the angry sky will frame the sea stacks.

You Will Have A Wild Time - and isn't that why we do this foolishness? Wish I could play....”

“Sounds like infantry weather!

Wet and wild!

Happy hoofin'”

“Be prepared for a little of everything (except sun). Forecast for the Olympics from the NWS:

TODAY...SNOW AND RAIN...HEAVY AT TIMES... WINDY... SNOW LEVEL 1500 FEET RISING TO 6000 FEET. SNOW ACCUMULATION UP TO SIX INCHES THIS MORNING IN THE NORTH PART. SOUTH WINDS 30 TO 50 MPH...MAINLY HIGHER RIDGES.

TONIGHT...RAIN AND SNOW TURNING TO SHOWERS... WINDY... SNOW LEVEL 4000 FEET.

THURSDAY...SHOWERS... WINDY... SNOW LEVEL 4000 FEET LOWERING TO 2000 FEET. WEST WIND 20 TO 30 MPH...MAINLY HIGHER RIDGES.

THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY...RAIN AND SNOW AT TIMES... SNOW LEVEL 2000 FEET RISING TO 4000 FEET.

SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...RAIN AND SNOW AT TIMES... VARIABLE SNOW LEVEL 2000 TO 4000 FEET.

It was snowing all the way into work this morning - wet and wild is right!”

“Looks like you'll be using every 5400c.i. of yer new GoLite pack.

NOW the test begins.”

“Must be nice! I hope it is. Have a good trip and tell us all about it when you get back.”

“Yeah, what Ms.skullcap said. Take lots of pics. Are you going solo? Can you post a link (topozone map, Nat'l Park link) showing yer whereabouts so we can cyber follow you during the days? Have a blast!

And don't mind about the weather forecast, inclement weather makes for some of the best memories.”

“You got dat right, Buddur, why I remember that time on Donner Pass back in 1846...”

“Got your waterproof camera?

Anyway like Kleetn and Strider said.... It's bloody foul weather, up here in Vancouver this morning, but it usually clears up for a few days in January”

“Oh... and Ziploc everything, even your socks and stuff, then put it in waterproof stuff sacks. Then get a big heavy duty garbage bag and use that to line your pack. And twist tie the top (just in case you go for an unexpected swim)... Good Luck”