US Northwest June 2020 WABDR - Washington Backcountry Discovery Route

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mtn

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@Bilbo, @Greg Eigsti , @oldmopars, @armyRN and others: I'll be happy to arrange a conference call this week and/or next if you want to discuss more plans and details. If you PM me your days / evening hours available I'll set something up.
 
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armyRN

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I am also happy to help lead, or be in charge (I'm not trying to take over by any means). Who's run this route before and feels comfortable being in charge and making decisions for the group?

Someone has to be in charge. Otherwise you'll never get anywhere. Been there - done that - learned from it. Unfortunately, when leaderless it will boil down to the person I call the "Lowest Common Denominator" ("LCD") who unofficially ends up running the show. You won't leave camp till "everyone's ready", which means the slowest person (LCD). If there isn't a stated departure time in the morning, someone in the group (often the LCD) will decide they want to "run into town for breakfast" at the last minute, and then everyone is waiting around for them to get back (and then those waiting start disappearing going off to do something instead of being ready to go). Gas stops will take hours because nobody is leading the group instead of the leader saying "we're leaving in 15 minutes". So if there isn't a leader to put out "ok' wheels are rolling at 0900 in the morning" the night before, again; you'll never leave at a decent time.

I'm all for group consensus at times, and folks having input, and not having a dictator running the show. It is a balance and a skill being in charge, but someone needs to be in overall charge who is willing to make decisions (especially about timelines). "We'll leave when everyone is ready to leave" is a disaster waiting to happen.
 
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armyRN

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@Bilbo, @Greg Eigsti , @oldmopars, @armyRN and others: I'll be happy to arrange a conference call this week and/or next if you want to discuss more plans and details. If you PM me your days / evening hours available I'll set something up.
PM sent along with my email address. Please send me an email.
 
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Hogman

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JLUR won't have any problems for sure. Had to google square drop trailer - if it's anything like the ones on the pictures it should be fine as well. Especially with something as capable as a Wrangler pulling.

Worst case, if it falls into ruts and have to be dragged out - are you ok with that? If not there will be bypass options.
No worries there, it has more ground clearance than the jeep and is built pretty sturdy.
 
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armyRN

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One thing about trailers - make sure you've got a matching spare tire for the trailer (not all trailers come with spares, or folks have changed out the trailer's original tire sizes but haven't got around to getting a matching spare yet). Unless the vehicle you're towing it with has a spare that matches exactly your trailer's tire size and bolt pattern - then you're good.

I'll be bringing a little trailer too.
 
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Hogman

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One thing about trailers - make sure you've got a matching spare tire for the trailer (not all trailers come with spares, or folks have changed out the trailer's original tire sizes but haven't got around to getting a matching spare yet). Unless the vehicle you're towing it with has a spare that matches exactly your trailer's tire size and bolt pattern - then you're good.

I'll be bringing a little trailer too.
Good advice, at some point I need to swap the drums over and maybe move the fenders up to match the jeep. Until then I will keep an eye out for a suitable spare and cross my fingers with BFG K02's and a plug kit for now.
 
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Ubiety

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Good advice, at some point I need to swap the drums over and maybe move the fenders up to match the jeep. Until then I will keep an eye out for a suitable spare and cross my fingers with BFG K02's and a plug kit for now.
I have a cheap plug kit and a couple field replaceable valve stems in my gear.
 

armyRN

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Ok... we're getting close to the ten-day countdown. We (Greg Eigsti, Oli Hellevic, and myself [Paul Dickinson]) had a teleconference call this evening, and tightened things up and filled in the blanks. Please read the next few posts for further clarification on what to bring, what not to bring, vehicle requirements, and when & where we're meeting up initially. Please continue to follow this thread for further updates and such as we get closer to the departure date/time.

Here we go.

Vehicle Requirements:

Vehicles should be in good working order. We will be driving about 600 miles total over six days essentially off-pavement. That means cooling system is working well and not leaking, hoses are good, ignition is running strong, good secured battery & wiring, fluids are relatively fresh, brakes are in good working condition, U-Joints are good, etc.; and any known issues have been fixed before the meet-up day. This should be for any Overlanding trip you're planning on participating with, not just this one.

Tires should have good tread on them, and be in good safe condition - preferably not street tires but AT or MT tires. All vehicles must have a full size, mounted matching spare tire with good tread on a proper rim (no temporary spares even if they are of a matching size). Plug kits are great (I've got one), but they only go so far.

Vehicles must have strong tow-points (like tow hooks) front & rear (a 2" receiver also counts as a tow-point). Those bent wire-looking things welded under some vehicles used to tie them down from the factory for transport aren't really tow-points. Even the best set-up overland vehicle sometimes needs a little tug to get over/through an obstacle - there's no shame in needing a tug sometimes. Using a trailer hitch tow ball as a tow-strap attachment point is dangerous - preferred is a D-ring attached to a 2" receiver bracket. Something that looks like this:


Each vehicle should have a tow strap or recovery strap (not a chain) of some kind strong enough for the weight of their vehicles. Straps must have loops at the ends, not metal hooks (metal hooks are dangerous).

Must have a jack capable of lifting your vehicle to change a tire (does not have to be a high-lift jack).

Need to have a spare fan belt(s) for your engine. We can repair a busted radiator hose on the trail; we can't tape together a busted fan belt. They're cheap; pick one up at any parts store.

Need a GMRS radio (and a license to go with it). I'll have a spare hand-held or two if you don't have one.

Vehicle must be capable of traveling at least 150 miles using the gasoline you're carrying. Figure we'll be driving relatively slow and not on pavement; you will not be getting anywhere near your normal highway MPG. Plan accordingly - Jerry cans are your friend. When we stop for gas, everyone fills-up or tops-off (sometimes we might have to take a long detour, a gas station we thought would be open might be closed, etc.).

The trails in the PNW are tight with brush in places. Plan on possible trail pinstriping on your vehicle or trailer.

If you're planning on bringing a trailer, think small(er). WWII military-type trailer sized, or fairly small teardrop-type or expedition trailers are your best bet. Either way, trailers need to have good rugged suspension and off-road tires ("LT" series tires at least) with good tread, and high clearance underneath. AND... all trailers should have a spare tire. If your trailer is running the same size wheel & tire and bolt-pattern as your tow vehicle's full-size matching spare tire, that's fine. But if not, the trailer should its own dedicated matching mounted spare wheel and tire. FWIW, my lil' trailer has its own spare as it doesn't match any of my other vehicle's tires.

I am a nurse. If you have a serious medical condition (like something that requires rescue medications, you carry an epi pen, you have seizures, etc.) please let me know at the meet & greet at 0830 Monday morning. If you're traveling by yourself on this trip and have medical issues, it would be helpful if you had a condensed medical record/history with you, & a list of meds and contact info. Again; tell me at the 0830 meeting (before the 0900 departure) and tell me where you're keeping the info in your vehicle. It does me or anyone else no good if it is all stored in your phone - print it out and put it in your vehicle (and let me know where in your vehicle it is placed).

Overland Adventure.2.jpg
 
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armyRN

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What else do you need to bring:

Every vehicle should have their own copy of the WABDR map. That's part of the fun - following the map so you know where you're at. You can purchase one here below ($14.95):

Butler Motorcycle Maps - Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR)
The perfect planning map for preparing to ride the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route WABDR.

touratech-usa.com

Bring a sense of adventure, and an understanding that things won't always go as planned.

Cold weather gear - there's a good possibility we'll see snow.

If there is something that frequently breaks on your vehicle or is a hard-to-find item, bring a spare.

Figure we'll be camping every evening for 5-6-7 nights, so pack accordingly (you're Overlanders - you should have this part down!). Most days we should be going through a town that at least has a gas station or a place to buy some groceries, but have enough food for a couple days just-in-case.

A wrist watch might be a good idea. We will have a specific designated departure time every morning (figure around 0900 +/- unless told otherwise). The time will be put out the evening before. That means vehicles are rolling out at that time in the morning. That means by that designated time you've already gotten up, got dressed, ate breakfast, done your morning routine stuff, taken down and secured your camping gear, and loaded up your vehicle and are ready to roll. We will not be standing around waiting to leave once "everyone is ready to go"; otherwise we'll be lucky to hit the road/trail after lunch every day. Please be punctual.

Same goes for when we do a gas stop or decide to explore a little town, have lunch, explore, or whatever - there will be a departure time put-out so everyone knows when to meet back to head back out (wheels rolling).
 
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armyRN

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What should I NOT bring?

Please no smoking marijuana. I don't care if it is legal in WA. Please don't bring it to smoke it (put it in brownies or whatever instead).

No illicit drugs (I shouldn't have to say it... but I will... I guess I just did).

If you need to bring a separate cooler just for beer... maybe you should reevaluate your priorities. A little drinking around the campfire at night is totally cool; having to get drunk is not. Drinking and driving - along with being illegal (even if off-road), is unsafe, and will not be tolerated. This is not a "party-hard and let it all hang-out" kind of trip.

No portable gas or diesel or propane generators. I don't care if yours is advertised as "whisper quiet" or is encased in insulation; we can still hear it. We don't want to hear it. I am wanting to hear "Nature" when I'm camped for the evening, or the crackle of a campfire; not a small motor running. Leave them at home. Seriously. We don't care if you feel you need to run a generator so you can have AC running in your trailer or to power your microwave - no gas/diesel/propane/or whatever fuel-it-burns generators on this trip. We're camping folks. Wilderness... Nature... Outdoors... Don't fight it - Embrace it!

So also do not bring "noisy devices" that others can hear. That includes music players that others have to listen to, radios, DVD players, movie projectors (I've seen it - that's why I'm saying it), etc. That's why God invented headphones if you really need to listen to it. I'm sure I'm not the only one that enjoys "Getting away from it all" when overlanding; why should we have to listen to that distracting stuff? Lets be considerate of others. I'd rather be sitting around a campfire vs. staring at a laptop screen any day.

Fireworks. Let's not catch WA on fire. Do not bring them.

Let's talk about guns. I like guns. If you bring one (or more), please keep them out-of-site and safely secured in your vehicle or on your person. If you really want to do some recreational shooting, do it a far distance from the group (like a mile away?) and do it safely. Lets not have any negligent discharges (you Army folks know what I mean).
 
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mtn

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We're planning for this to be a 6 day trip, here's the schedule so far, but expect modifications as we go, review the day's experience and what we want to do different over the campfire at night.


Monday June 15th
8:00 - 8:30 am Meet at A&J Select Market, 265 2nd St, Stevenson, WA 98648. Fill up with gas/food before then.
8:30 am Orientation, last minute details about the day, sequencing, comms details (GMRS), etc.
9:00 am Wheels rolling in convoy up Highway 14 towards Carson and the start of adventure!
Possible stops include Guler Ice Caves and Sleeping Beauty Trail. Will be reviewed at 8:30 orientation
Rolling into camp mid-afternoon. Targeting Council Lake Campground or Chambers Lake Campground.

Tuesday
10:00 am wheels rolling, departing camp (late start - we're just getting used to this!)
Stop in Packwood, replenish fuel & food as needed. Plan for a 1 hr stop
Fairly short driving day
Camping at Bethel Ridge, on the ridge or possibly Bear Lake just off the ridge.

Wednesday
9:00 am wheels rolling, departing camp
Stop in Ellensburg OR Wenatchee for fuel & food as needed
Stop by Beehive reservoir for some beach time / lunch time
Dispersed camping after Wenatchee, or closer to Cashmere

Thursday
9:00 am wheels rolling, departing camp
Through Cashmere
Dispersed camping by Steliko Lookout outside Ardenvoir

Friday
Wake up early to take in sunrise at Steliko!
9:00 am wheels rolling, departing camp
Stop by 25 mile campground to replenish water
Stop by Chelan, replenish fuel & food as needed. Plan for a 1 hr stop.
Stop by Cooper Mountain summit, ooh and aah over the view of Lake Chelan
Camping options include Leader Lake south of Conconully (Free), or Cottonwood, Oriole, Kerr, Salmon Meadows (Fee) just north of Conconully

Saturday
9:00 am wheels rolling, departing camp
Onwards to Nighthawk at the Canada border
Official end of trip, heading towards home
For those of us heading west, suggesting WA-20 North Cascades Highway, maybe stop in Winthrop and/or Twisp. Possibly camping off WA-20 on the way home.
 

Hogman

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We're planning for this to be a 6 day trip, here's the schedule so far, but expect modifications as we go, review the day's experience and what we want to do different over the campfire at night.


Monday June 15th
8:00 - 8:30 am Meet at A&J Select Market, 265 2nd St, Stevenson, WA 98648. Fill up with gas/food before then.
8:30 am Orientation, last minute details about the day, sequencing, comms details (GMRS), etc.
9:00 am Wheels rolling in convoy up Highway 14 towards Carson and the start of adventure!
Possible stops include Guler Ice Caves and Sleeping Beauty Trail. Will be reviewed at 8:30 orientation
Rolling into camp mid-afternoon. Targeting Council Lake Campground or Chambers Lake Campground.

Tuesday
10:00 am wheels rolling, departing camp (late start - we're just getting used to this!)
Stop in Packwood, replenish fuel & food as needed. Plan for a 1 hr stop
Fairly short driving day
Camping at Bethel Ridge, on the ridge or possibly Bear Lake just off the ridge.

Wednesday
9:00 am wheels rolling, departing camp
Stop in Ellensburg OR Wenatchee for fuel & food as needed
Stop by Beehive reservoir for some beach time / lunch time
Dispersed camping after Wenatchee, or closer to Cashmere

Thursday
9:00 am wheels rolling, departing camp
Through Cashmere
Dispersed camping by Steliko Lookout outside Ardenvoir

Friday
Wake up early to take in sunrise at Steliko!
9:00 am wheels rolling, departing camp
Stop by 25 mile campground to replenish water
Stop by Chelan, replenish fuel & food as needed. Plan for a 1 hr stop.
Stop by Cooper Mountain summit, ooh and aah over the view of Lake Chelan
Camping options include Leader Lake south of Conconully (Free), or Cottonwood, Oriole, Kerr, Salmon Meadows (Fee) just north of Conconully

Saturday
9:00 am wheels rolling, departing camp
Onwards to Nighthawk at the Canada border
Official end of trip, heading towards home
For those of us heading west, suggesting WA-20 North Cascades Highway, maybe stop in Winthrop and/or Twisp. Possibly camping off WA-20 on the way home.
Great input from all as the countdown nears. Are there any overnight areas that will require reservations, or I should say if I dont have any reservations is it going to be me and Sasquatch fighting over the Jacklinks for the night?
 

Ubiety

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@mtn - thanks for the awesome route planning!
@armyRN - thanks for the good advice and setting some common sense ground rules! Ordered a spare serpentine belt for the JKU this morning ;)
My wife, @Heidi, is a retired RN and can help out as well; we have a couple small first aid kits and a small trauma kit. @armyRN - I'm all ears if you want to share share some "first-aid/trauma for dummies" thoughts around the campfire.

It appears that the NW Forest Pass is currently not available online - "In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, sale of the Northwest Forest Passes have been suspended at this time..." Both Issaquah/Redmond Big 5s are listed as dealers for this pass; I am planning on calling them a little later in the morning to see what they have to say; will get back to all y'all. Let me know ASAP if you want me to try a group buy.

Some things that were probably already discussed
  • Fire extinguisher, please have one accessible in your vehicle both on the trail/road and at camp.
  • Bring a good shovel
  • Chainsaws - I will have a gallon of bar oil along with my electric saw, I believe that @armyRN is bringing a saw as well.

Covid. @Heidi is "at risk" and we will be practicing social distancing and will do meals on our own; I think this entire group is in agreement on this.

Speak up if you need help with GMRS comms. I have a loaner handheld that works on GMRS.
 

Ubiety

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!!! Respond to this thread by end of day Sunday 6/7 in order to reserve your spot for this trip !!!


Sometimes sleep provides clarity, so I am going to try a different tack. I know of some folks who are committed and raring to go and there are others that I have not heard from in a while. So speak up if you are committed so that effective planning can happen in the short time that we have left! We are at 12 rigs and may need to make some decisions if we go much larger. THANKS!!!

Once we have a more concrete list of attendees we can share phone numbers, email addresses, picture(s), etc. I'll continue to organize the attendee list and will share out a google sheet real soon now.

Something like this would be great
Name: Greg Eigsti (city slicker names Greg/Julie)
Vehicle: Jeep JKU (stock suspension, stock MTs), winch, recovery gear
Souls: Myself and my wife @Heidi
Comms: HAM/GMRS
Duration: Beginning to end, possibly bugging out early depending upon child and dog care.
Other: deck of cards, chainsaw, satcom
Experience: many years camping and driving gravel roads with non-OB group, new to OB events, pushing my limits in the JKU and learning. I do not anticipate having difficulty with the terrain. Anticipate ;)

Thanks everybody for helping me to get a handle on attendance! I am really excited! I have never done any of the BDR and @mtn and @armyRN have ensured that this will be a great trip!
 

Hogman

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@mtn - thanks for the awesome route planning!
@armyRN - thanks for the good advice and setting some common sense ground rules! Ordered a spare serpentine belt for the JKU this morning ;)
My wife, @Heidi, is a retired RN and can help out as well; we have a couple small first aid kits and a small trauma kit. @armyRN - I'm all ears if you want to share share some "first-aid/trauma for dummies" thoughts around the campfire.

It appears that the NW Forest Pass is currently not available online - "In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, sale of the Northwest Forest Passes have been suspended at this time..." Both Issaquah/Redmond Big 5s are listed as dealers for this pass; I am planning on calling them a little later in the morning to see what they have to say; will get back to all y'all. Let me know ASAP if you want me to try a group buy.

Some things that were probably already discussed
  • Fire extinguisher, please have one accessible in your vehicle both on the trail/road and at camp.
  • Bring a good shovel
  • Chainsaws - I will have a gallon of bar oil along with my electric saw, I believe that @armyRN is bringing a saw as well.

Covid. @Heidi is "at risk" and we will be practicing social distancing and will do meals on our own; I think this entire group is in agreement on this.

You can't go to the forest away from everybody, but you can be nuts to butts protesting and breaking stuff. Love this state. Good call on the fire extinguisher, mine has never made it into my jeep.
 

SCS

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Name: Steve Sutton (SCS) from Portland
Vehicle: Jeep Cherokee KL trailhawk
Souls: Me and my friendly dog. We'll be social distancing too.
Comms: GMRS
Duration: I have to leave Thursday for work -- I'd like to drive some trail on Thursday but I have to be somewhere with a reliable cell signal by 1pm so that may not work out.
Other: Cahinsaw & satcom
Experience: Lots of camping and wheeling experience over the years, first time in a group like this or on OB.
 

oldmopars

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Name: Scott and Rachel Solomon
Vehicle: 90 GMC Suburban
Souls: Wife, Myself and Chocolate Lab Millie.
Comms: CB, GMRS, and HAM for listen only.
Experience: Many years camping, wheeling, and have done the BDR on a motorcycle.
Duration: will do the full Monty.