REI Advice

So I (Eric) checked out one of the backpacking classes are REI tonight - important tips I got:

1.  We need sacks for our packs on the plane so we don't lose a shoulder strap in bagging.

2.  We can't take fuel on the plane so we have to pick it up in Seattle.

3.  We can get away with packing light on food with mostly freeze dried food, and then trail mix and snacks like tuna pouches and tortillas.  

I also raided my father in law's hiking gear so we are set on water filters (I have two), and we have a single burner MSR stove (without fuel).  

We also need to research bear safe food storage, as well as water availability on the trails.

Free REI Classes

FYI, the REI in Dallas has some free classes that might be relevant (Light and Fast Backpacking Basics, Leave No Trace, Camp Cooking Basics). I might check one out... see link below for list of classes and times/dates.

http://www.rei.com/stores/45

Kayak Planing Resources

WWTA is a leader, partner, and resource for water trail planning and development across the state of Washington. WWTA facilitates volunteer involvement in water trail stewardship and educates members and the public at large about relevant political issues and best practices for low impact recreation (Leave No Trace). WWTA represents the state's non-motorized boating population in the political and recreational planning realm. WWTA remains an authority on the needs of non-motorized boaters in terms of physical and informational access to Washington's waterways.

Self Guided Trip Planing Resources

http://www.wwta.org/trip_planning/


Sea Quest Expeditions
http://www.sea-quest-kayak.com/sea-kayaking-locations/kayak-tours-schedule

San Juan Kayak
http://www.sanjuankayak.com/dates-costs-3/

Discovery Sea Kayak
http://www.discoveryseakayak.com/kayak-trips/multi-day-trips/islands-explorer-tour-3-days

Anacortes Kayak Tours
http://www.anacorteskayaktours.com/rates-schedules/index.php

Crystal Seas
http://www.crystalseas.com/cs-sj-tour-multiday-kayak-camping-details.htm

Two Trail Options

So I (Eric) called up the Park Service today, and he said that it would be "extremely unlikely" that we would be shut out of an area - worst case is probably we have to hike a little further the first day to a campground down the other side.  Both prospective hikes are down and back in our time frame, with campgrounds something like 5, 7.5, 10, and 12 miles in.  Hopefully we could hike in 5 or 7.5 the first day and then explore from there, and then the second day hike another 5 or so in and again explore - but worst case seems to be we do 10 or 12 the first day and then have a full day to explore.  

Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/northcascadesnationalpark/sets/72157619255318992/

Copper Ridge pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/northcascadesnationalpark/sets/72157626765920340/

Both hikes can be found on the big map with campgrounds (cascade pass on the south, copper ridge on the northwest):

http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/upload/Map_WTP_0308_Screen-2.pdf

The New York Times published an article on The 41 Places to Go in 2011.

San Juan Island was rated number 2. Though they did not mention kayaking as one of the things you must do. So I can only assume they forgot to mention. Check out the article…

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/travel/09where-to-go.html

2. San Juan Islands, Wash.

Bold-face restaurateurs vie with unspoiled nature. Nature wins.

The big draw for the San Juan Islands this year just might be its dining scene. Blaine Wetzel, a former chef at the wildly acclaimed Copenhagen restaurant Noma, took the reins at Willows Inn on Lummi Island (due to reopen on Feb. 10), while Lisa Nakamura, who has trained with big-name chefs like Thomas Keller, opened Allium on Orcas Island.

But the eternal lure of the San Juans — what brings chefs out as well as tourists — are the landscapes. On islands from Shaw to Decatur, pastoral hills give way to broody forests and scrappy escarpments that overlook fjordlike inlets. Thanks to an active land preservation effort by organizations like the San Juan County Land Bank, each year new areas are protected from logging or unruly development, and in turn provide fresh terrain for the public to explore.

Last year, the San Juan Island National Historic Park grew by 312 acres with the purchase of densely forested Mitchell Hill. On Lopez Island, a 50-year lease signed by the state Department of Natural Resources in 2009 now protects the Lopez Hill area from logging; a web of public trails winds past mossy conifers and madrona trees with peeling cinnamon-red bark. And some smaller parcels have the air of a secret about them, like the spectacular Watmough Bay Preserve on Lopez, with a trail that leads to a strip of beach on a wooded inlet, its moody water as magically lighted as a Bierstadt painting.

Spot Personal Messenger

Satellite messenger with GPS tracking for keeping users safe on adventure trips.Purchasing a service plan is required in addition to purchasing the SPOT unit.
SpotChecking feature alerts friends and family of your precise location
SpotCasting function lets friends and family follow your progress in real time
Sends GPS coordinates and distress message to Emergency Response Center
Satellite technology works around the world; measures 2.75 x 4.38 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D)

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102

Nemo Astro Insulated Sleeping Pad

https://www.nemoequipment.com/nemo2011-astroinsulated-pad

Many miles from the hum and buzz of workaday life, the last thing you want to disturb your deep sleep is a pesky root or a fistful of gravel. Forget your typical inch thick backcountry pad, Astro™ is a full 2.5" thick. Lateral baffles make the pad feel wider and smoother, and 75D polyester fabric resists puncture while keeping the weight down. Astro™ Insulated uses a thin layer of polyurethane foam welded to the inner surface of the pad to stop convective currents and create a very consistent and even insulation. Use the integrated valve for inflation, or attach the ultralight Disco™ Pad Pump for a speedy setup. Astro™ pads include a stuff sack, compression strap, and repair patches. Available in Air, Air Short, or Insulated models.

Washington State Trails

This is a great list of a bunch of 2-3 day trips in Washington.....

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/backpacking/backpacking/weekend-backpacking-trips

36 Hours in Seattle

SPRING comes early to Seattle and lasts long. By the end of February, the rains relent and pastel shades of plum and narcissus initiate a progression of color and scent that lasts months. But new flora is not the only thing popping out of the ground in Seattle these days. Seemingly overnight, whole swatches of downtown and close-in neighborhoods — notably South Lake Union and the Pike-Pine Corridor — have transformed themselves into vibrant enclaves of restaurants, bars and galleries. With so many converted and repurposed buildings, Seattle’s cityscape is starting to look as layered as the wardrobes of its inhabitants. The tarry pitch of the timber port never disappeared; it just got plastered over with grunge flannel, tech money, yuppie coffee, Pacific Rim flavors, and more recently the backyard chickens and chard of urban pioneers. Don’t let a passing shower keep you from entering the mix. This is one of the rare American cities where you can be outdoors year-round without either shivering or sweating.

Wahooooo

The initial idea is that we have a week long trip starting August 7th and ending the 14th.  The idea is that we have two trips with the first half along the coastline and the second half higher up in the rainforest/mountains.  For people that cant make the entire trip, you can meet us in Seattle on our way to the mountains.  For those of you who are real men, we can meet in Seattle and head out from there. 

After looking at flights for a random weekend in August, I think the North Cascades is our best bet.  They are a $400 direct flight to Seattle followed by a 2.5 hour drive to the trailhead.  There are also direct flights leaving at 5:30 - so that the return trip is not a crazy rush, and the altitude is only around 6,000 - 7,000 feet, so we don't have to worry about acclimation issues that could cut a day out in Colorado or California.  I found a couple of additional descriptions:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/northcascadesnationalpark/sets/72157619255318992/

http://www.seattlepi.com/getaways/234935_hike04.html

http://www.happen.net/travel/sahale.html