WABDR partial run completed, Stevenson to Ardenvoir 6/30-7-4 2022

[Hogman]

Just completed a partial WABDR run from Stevenson to Ardenvoir 6/30-7/4 2022 with a great group of fellow OB members. The roads in general were pretty dusty, so maybe bring an extra air filter or have the ability to blow it out.. There were some pretty substantial snow patches that swallowed a couple of vehicles in the group that needed some assistance just past Takhlakh Lake. For the most part the roads were easy peasy. Bethel Ridge mud pit had a fire last year and now is pretty much wide open to bypass the muddy ruts and continue through. Ellensburg to Wenatchee has become much more difficult. There are literally thousands of fallen trees across the trail that are cut right at the edge of the trail leaving clearances probably too tight for anything full size. Bee Hive wash out is also much more technical. It is narrower now with 15 Degree pitch and roll with a turn and a spotter suggested. After that, everything went smooth to Ardenvoir.

 

[Ubiety]

Mosquitoes were pretty brutal in parts South of Packwood - be prepared with bug spray and flame throwers.

On the first day we detoured to Panther Creek Falls and were not disappointed. Highly recommend this short hike to stretch the legs and see an incredible spot.


Gueler Ice Caves are an obligatory stop. The coolness felt very good. We met a group fixing an oil leak here, we would see them most days on the trail.


The view from Tahklakh Lake was slightly more stunning that the sheer number of mosquitoes attacking us.


A couple of fellas made a "wrong turn" and were hopelessly stuck just past Taklakh Lake. As we came up with a rescue plan our "oil leak buddies", who were behind us, got impatient and passed us on the trail and pulled them out. We spent a few hours here helping with the rescue and getting ourselves through... @parrotheadnw learned that the proper way to unspool a winch is to slowly run the line out via the controller. Hahahaha.


Obligatory Bethel Ridge rig shot


Campfire therapy


We caught up with Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky on the trail

 

[M Rose]

Thanks for the pictures guys. It looks like you had a great time out there… I’m so jealous ;)

 

[Ubiety]

Thanks for the pictures guys. It looks like you had a great time out there… I’m so jealous ;)

Missed you and wished you were there :( Next time.

 

[CR-Venturer]

Looks like an awesome trip! Thanks for sharing!

 

[M Rose]

Missed you and wished you were there :( Next time.

Most definitely… the Adventure Machine is running really good now, so I have a few smaller projects to finish up before she’s ready for a big trip.

 

[OTH Overland]

@Ubiety and @Hogman, awsomme pictures guys! wish this did not run upgainst the PNW Expo, would have been a great run from the looks of it, even with the mozzys lol, do have a flamethrower btw.. Thanks for the update.

 

[Ubiety]

Turns out I had already written a GPX parser that spelunked the data within and spat out interesting stats. Here is the output for the first three days (tracks only), the timestamps are in UTC so will seem a little off. The third day was cut short due to my early departure :( Wife is ok and did not have covid.

"Track (7/1/22, 9:20:07AM)" 83.69 miles, begin 2022-07-01T16:20:07Z, end 2022-07-02T02:54:02Z, duration 10:33:55
"Track (7/2/22, 9:17:03AM)" 104.32 miles, begin 2022-07-02T16:17:39Z, end 2022-07-03T00:39:57Z, duration 08:22:18
"Track (7/3/22, 9:29:22AM)" 49.39 miles, begin 2022-07-03T16:29:22Z, end 2022-07-03T22:07:53Z, duration 05:38:31

 

[Ubiety]

Updated stats for geeks ;)

• "Track (7/1/22, 9:20:07AM)" 83.69 miles, begin 2022-07-01T16:20:07Z, end 2022-07-02T02:54:02Z, duration 10:33:55, highest elevation 4749.67 ft, lowest elevation 1082.68 ft, highest point [46.269710, -121.580159], lowest point [45.842214, -121.859845], ascent 11321.52 ft, descent 8690.29 ft
• "Track (7/3/22, 9:29:22AM)" 49.39 miles, begin 2022-07-03T16:29:22Z, end 2022-07-03T22:07:53Z, duration 05:38:31, highest elevation 5120.73 ft, lowest elevation 1526.25 ft, highest point [46.823603, -120.857452], lowest point [46.961325, -120.570003], ascent 7176.84 ft, descent 9609.58 ft
• "Track (7/2/22, 9:17:03AM)" 104.32 miles, begin 2022-07-02T16:17:39Z, end 2022-07-03T00:39:57Z, duration 08:22:18, highest elevation 6156.50 ft, lowest elevation 1023.62 ft, highest point [46.713723, -121.103315], lowest point [46.609941, -121.669648], ascent 12664.7 ft, descent 13136.15 ft

 

[TeachAO]

I just finished sections 1 and 2 until Nile because of the fire closures. It was a ton of fun. Mosquitos are still a nuisance around Tahklakh Lake... then add in flies and bees! Still cold at night too even in August! Can't wait to explore more sections in the future.

 

[Hogman]

There is a RP this weekend for stages 456 ish

 

[DMFA]

Looks like you had a great trip. How could you not? We did the entire trail in September, and thankfully didn't have to deal with the mosquitos!

 

[reaver]

This is definitely on my list of routes to do within the next two years. Nice writeup, @Hogman

 

[Hogman]

Let me know if you have any questions about the WABDR. Camping is very limited on some stretches and with snow delays and breakdowns, you could be up Shitz Creek. We actually had to cut our way into a campground, and other times there was just nothing there for 3 hours.

 

[reaver]

Let me know if you have any questions about the WABDR. Camping is very limited on some stretches and with snow delays and breakdowns, you could be up Shitz Creek. We actually had to cut our way into a campground, and other times there was just nothing there for 3 hours.

Noted.

@Ubiety, @David H and I are planning on doing about 1100 miles of the IDBDR this year, so I can ask lots of questions then as well.

 

[mtn]

There are long stretches without campsites on the IDBDR too... Recommend don't be shy about ending the day early when you get to a nice place to camp.