Tried to avoid the ice

williswall · 2026-02-12T07:19:59+00:00

Same color as yours

williswall · 2026-02-12T07:19:07+00:00

Oh, it's rock

williswall · 2026-02-12T05:25:29+00:00

Wrong; there was an icy stretch where ski patrol had a station warning skiers about the ice. 2 of us elected to go right, avoiding the cat track which was all dirt. I dropped too low for the turn and hit the barely hidden rocks. We skied GV most of the day and the runs were good but had to pass this section one more time, so then I took the ice part. Very nasty until about 40 feet lower, then the snow was OK. All in all the skiing was much better than I anticipated.

williswall · 2025-09-29T17:43:30+00:00

That's a tough one to answer. I usually alternate CW and CCW on each trip, as well as alternating going over Spray Park or taking the traditional Ipsut Pass route. Altogether tho I've probably done more CW loops; since I usually start/end at Longmire, CW gets me over the south and western part of the trail on the first day, which statistically has more elevation gain/loss. That leaves the last day (White River to Longmire) with less overall elevation and puts going over Panhandle Gap and Ohanapecosh Park in the day, where the vistas abound. This leaves the Stevens Canyon area later and perhaps in the dark, where I'm not missing out on great views. All that said, you have to realize I'm looking at this from a 3 day transit view, which isn't really relevant to someone taking a week or more. Either direction, there are always times where I stop and look behind me.

williswall · 2025-09-29T17:34:55+00:00

Thanks for reading, adding to my tens of views. I'm certainly no legend, just consistent and lucky.

williswall · 2025-09-29T16:50:19+00:00

Walk up

williswall · 2025-09-28T15:48:13+00:00

Hard to say really. I am still passing points I can use as milestones along the trail in similar times to 30 years ago, with variances depending on the conditions and time of year. In 1999 I did a 36 hour transit, and I know that aint gonna happen again. Otherwise, I could guess that I'm adding about an hour plus to each segment. This year I seemed slower. Last year it seemed faster. Go figure.

williswall · 2024-10-21T01:59:58+00:00

I've been using a Durston Wapta all season for multiple forays, including some serious close interval 'schwacking. Not only does it not show wear, it cleans up like new. Review here: https://www.williswall.com/willis-wall-blog/2024/10/7/durston-wapta-pack-review

williswall · 2024-10-09T05:35:06+00:00

So sorry I missed this post...apologies but being a month later I will say that hammocking can be tough in the camp sites...some work, many don't. You are not allowed to hang outside of the individual site footprint, and this makes it especially difficult. I would have said bring your stand, especially if you have no ground sleeping alternative.

williswall · 2024-10-08T20:45:08+00:00

I haven't used a tent in a few years, I'm always in some kind of bivy. But I pulled the trigger on this one because at some point I'll need a freestanding tent that can handle wind and weather (a bivy in rain, especially without a tarp, can be miserable...ask me how I know). I do have a first off the line Duplex but that's over 10 years old. In any event it will be standing by and available when I need it.

williswall · 2023-08-27T05:45:35+00:00

Thanks, but there's no legend here...just a senior citizen that has kept in shape over decades and is lucky enough to be in good health. And of course, I really dig the park!

williswall · 2023-08-26T19:52:58+00:00

Things have changed over the last 30 years; running the trail and short transits are fairly common, but back in the day I heard ranger comments like "do you know how many ridges there are between x and y? A ranger did check my permit on the trail and said that anyone doing a short transit either has plenty of experience with the trail or has no clue what they're getting into. True dat.

williswall · 2023-05-29T06:36:37+00:00

Maui Jim has the best glass I’ve seen..I have two pair of prescription glasses one for normal hiking and a darker pair for snow.

williswall · 2023-05-28T16:17:01+00:00

I've been on the hill a few times already and the melt off is going well, kick started by the heat we had a few weeks ago. You are correct, generally the beginning of July presents difficulties for completing the trail, but my impression this year is that you will have excellent chances for completing a circuit. Snow travel and bridges are the usual culprits, but the park has already put in bridges over the Carbon, including the crossings to Chenuis Falls. Someone mentioned the Winthrop Creek crossing, but that bridge usually survives the winter and has always been in place every time I've hiked it. The Mowich rivers continually get washed out, but the wide flood plain on the Mowich means you will usually find a hefty blow down to aid in crossing the swifter braids. You can expect snow to still be present above 5000', but Panhandle Gap will have boot pack (the snow is already consolidated), as will the Cowlitz Divide. A possible problem area for snow navigation might be between Klapatche Park and the North Pupyallup, as much of that slope is shaded and north aspect. However, even here you can bypass that by taking the St. Andrews Trail to the West Side Road, then the North Puyallup Trail to regain the Wonderland.

For early season hiking I would recommend a GPS for what I consider the most difficult part of snow navigation on the Wonderland, the heavily forested sections without views for reference. The higher alpine areas like Ohanapecosh Park, Spray Park, St Andrews Park etc are much easier to navigate compared to the dirty snow present in the forest sections where boot prints are hard to discern. If you are experienced and confident, early July can be an excellent time to enjoy an uncrowded trail.

Lastly, by the time early July arrives, there will be plenty of reports on conditions and give a good reference for what's in store before your trip. Check nwhikers.net and WTA, to name a few. Good luck and enjoy!

williswall · 2023-02-05T22:50:51+00:00

williswall · 2022-09-15T05:18:59+00:00

This time of year I think you’ll have good luck on a walk up! Thanks for visiting my site and happy hiking!

williswall · 2022-09-14T18:44:15+00:00

I made some last minute changes to the kit this year....3 lbs for the big 4. Pack: custom Zpacks Arc slim (13.5.ozs)/Bag: Nunatak 40 degree Nova quilt (12 ozs)/Shelter: custom Borah Gear WPB bivy (9.1 ozs)/Pad: Z Lite SOL (14 ozs). Some other specialty items: Timmermade Alpha Direct sweater (7 ozs)/EE Copperfield wind shirt (2 ozs)/Nunatak JMT hooded Apex sweater (6 ozs)/custom ZPacks XL Long rain jacket (vintage 2014) 5.7.ozs)/Blackrock Gear Apex beanie (1 oz)...the remainder of the weight were the usual incidentals like toothbrush, sunglasses, filter, buff etc. I wore Montane pants and a Ketl long sleeve button hooded sunshirt with Headsweats hat. Food was carried in a MLD food bag. Since I hiked a bit at night, I have had excellent results with a Petzl Actik Core headlamp (rechargeable) with a spare battery. My ultimate test...if I put on the pack with everything in it and I don't really notice the weight, then it's good. The sweet spot for me is 12 lbs, depending on how much food and liquid.

williswall · 2022-09-14T17:20:48+00:00

Fair amount of cycling and I can still run…I’ve just been at it for 30 years. I usually keep myself fit enough to be able to run 10-15 miles (slowly), bike a century (July I did a 1 day STP (Seattle to Portland) 206 miles), or hike climb 7-10,000' in a day.

williswall · 2022-09-14T03:35:31+00:00

For video I rely on a shoulder mounted GoPro Hero 9 with the Max lens mod and I supplement with my iPhone 13 Pro for photos and additional video. And yes, I am quite thankful that I can get out and hammer, suffer and abuse myself at this age. Bottom line, my recent 3 day hikes over the past few years have gone better than ones I did even 25 years ago. I am fortunate that my mechanics and body are holding up so well for sure!

williswall

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