Ordering your copy of “Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains”
If you haven’t ordered your copy of the Book yet,
I recommend:
- Port Book and News, Port Angeles, WA
- Pacific Mist, Sequim, WA
- Dungeness River Nature Center, Sequim, WA
- VillageBooks.com, Bellingham, WA
Or online
“Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains”
OR, buy your book at the events below.
As it stands right now, book signing and book sales will start again in late February or early March 2024. Most, if not all, events will take place in Kitsap County.
My Response to the Reader:
T. “You really helped me prepare for the shifts in temperature when backpacking.”
Backpacking between late July and early October allows you to explore the Olympic Wilderness. That said, your exploring is most likely exposed somewhere between elevations of 2,000 and 7,000 ft. As a general rule you loose 3 degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation either going up or down. For example, if you started out at 2,000 feet and 55° F, and hiked to 6,500 feet; at days end you’ll set-up camp at about 41°F. That is 13.5° cooler than when you started. On hot days if you are traversing facing west or south the drop in temperature is even more extreme; traveling east and north are far less exaggerated by less exposure to the sun. Always carry layers, putting them on or taking them off as you attend to the temperature.
V. “Thank you for your experience with food on the trails.”
In the Appendix of the book, page 204, read the section on nutrition. Add simplicity to nutrition and you’ll always have a winner. “The informed use of calories, water, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, and proteins will make a critical difference in your performance over time.
The goal of simplicity in cooking is do as little cooking as possible. If it’s cold, sometimes only coffee or tea boiled in a pot will suffice and its easy to clean. For cleanup after meals boil water in the pot and save it when it cools in your water bottles for tomorrow; no waste, no fuss.
Recent Questions and Answers:
Q: Why is the northeast portion of the Olympic Mountains so much drier than the rest of the wilderness?
A: Most of the northeast portion of the wilderness is located in a rain shadow. Generally, the weather carrying rain and snow approaches the Olympics from the southwest or west. As it arrives, it is forced to rise over the mountains in the west, north and south. As the weather rises, it loses its ability to carry the weight of its moisture and that moisture gets dropped as rain and/or snow. By the time the weather reaches the northeast portions of the Olympics, there is very little moisture left. While the northeast portion can be windy, it is less likely to deliver the moisture that the rest of the Olympics receive.
Q: How do I solve the problem of having to move onward when my tent is wet from last night’s rain?
A: Fold it up and carry it is the short answer. Depending on the weather conditions, you might answer the problem by what is the morning’s weather. If you get up and it’s sunny, you could let the tent dry out for a few hours before you push on up the trail. On the other hand, if it’s raining in the morning, pack up the tent, march on and hope that the sun will come out later in the day. When you arrive at wherever you’re headed, put up the tent as soon as you reach your destination. These ideas are about all you can do; I’ve been caught in rain that wouldn’t let up for days. Lastly, do not ever think that you could use your stove or a fire to dry your stuff. Using open flames is a much bigger threat than the rain. Be Safe!
Is winter when animals hibernate in the Olympic Mountains?
Winter is when an animal, the Olympic Marmot, hibernates in the Olympic Mountains. As for the rest of the animals, Bears don’t hibernate but they do “carnivore letharge” a semi-hibernation where they sleep for several weeks at a time throughout the winter. All other animals continue to forage. Some paw through the snow to find food; some dig tunnels under the snow pack to forage as life goes on.
Cougars, Coyotes and Bobcats retreat from subalpine areas and decend to lower elevations where there is less snow accumulation. Unfortunately, some of those lower elevations are occupied by people and their property. The good news is the vast area of lowlands are undeveloped and generally don’t set up a situation of animal meets people.
Winters vary in length; rarely do the Olympic Mountains suffer long large snow accumulations. More often than not, the snowpack starts to recede in March through July. A lot of trails that include elevations at or below 3,000 Ft. are usually snow-free in late May with the exception of trails that traverse eastern and northern slopes that receive less exposure to the sun and its heat. Animals often move in accordance with the snow- melt and thereby have access to more and more of the Olympic Backcountry.
Where to buy "Loop Hikes in the Olympic Mountains"?
Sequim and Port Angeles:
Pacific Mist
Dungeness River Nature Center
Port Book and News
The Internet:
VillageBooks.com
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
I’ve been writing about some of the elements of the book since March of 2023 and I will continue to do so. If you or your friends haven’t checked Loophikes.com lately, finally the book has been published and is on the shelves. It’s what we’ve all been waiting for. There is no better time to order your book. I’m certain that you’ll be pleased. The book is one-of-a-kind, informative and explores loop hikes that haven’t been published as a book. The “Grand Loop of the Olympic Mountains” is a loop that may not ever have been hiked. Whether you’re new at hiking or you’re an expert hiker, the book will be useful and helpful—and it will expand your collective experience.
Loophikes.com provides you with information about the book and information that is not in the book but is relevant to your understanding.
Loophikes@olympus.net provides you the ability to ask me questions and get answers to the best of my ability. All the answers will be available at loophikes.com without identifying the person who submitted the question.
All of the past articles beginning with March are accessible. Click here to visit the Archive page. Additionally, if you’re interested in what’s coming next, here they are:
March 1: Day-Hiking trails that begin at or below 1,800 Ft.
March 15: Where and when will you do your long hikes?
April 1: Don’t depend on your hike of first choice; prepare a back-up destination.
Visit LoopHikes.com frequently. Photos, information and stories change periodically, but sharing information with you comes first. Questions? Contact me at LoopHikes@olympus.net. Your curiosity is the foundation of building a better understanding. Tell your friends.