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= August 2022 Olympic Mountains Backpack Trip with Colin Goggin =
{{/map.png|Olympic Mountains Backpack Overview Map|width=100%}}
{{/stats.png|Olympic Mountains Backpack Stats|width=100%}}
distance: 39.32 mi
min/max elev.: 1395'/6421'
elev. gain/loss: 11514'/-11448'
After several years of attempted but cancelled plans to adventure together, Colin and I head out for 4 days in the Olympic Mountains. We start each day (after coffee) with 45 minutes of silent meditation, and fill most the rest of each day hiking. I'd planned a loop from Slab Camp trailhead down to the Grey Wolf River, up the river to Three Forks Campground then back up to the ridge at Deer Camp. Much of the thought behind the route choice was motivated by my effort to keep it safe and small. Slab Camp is the nearest trailhead to our house sit at Norton's, and each leg of the loop was under 5 miles. The close trailhead accommodated Colin's need to drive out from Bellingham on day 1 and get back home again on the afternoon of our last day. The short miles accommodated my uncertainty around my knees.
Once we were on the trail, we quickly left safe and small behind, each afternoon dropping our packs at campsite and heading out for supplemental day hikes up into ancient forests, wild blueberry meadows, and heady ridge lines high above the treeline.
Back at Norton's as I write, my knees are cranky, but my heart is full of gratitude and joy.
== Day 1 Slab Camp to Slide Camp ==
distance: 7.106 mi
time: 6:15:24
min/max elev.: 1395'/3049'
elev. gain/loss: 2390'/-2642'
{{/colin-slab-camp-trail.JPG|colin-slab-camp-trail|width=80%}}
{{/slide-creek.JPG|slide creek|width=80%}}
== Day 2 Slide to Grey Wolf and Falls Camp ==
distance: 13.68 mi
time: 9:08:42
min/max elev.: 1984'/4078'
elev. gain/loss: 3322'/-3483'
{{/colin-slide-camp.JPG|slide camp|width=80%}}
{{/colin-hair1.JPG|colin on grey creek|width=80%}}
{{/colin-hair2.JPG|colin on grey creek2|width=80%}}
== Day 3 Grey Wolf to Deer Park and Maiden Peak ==
distance: 13.30 mi
time: 10:06:38
min/max elev.: 2063'/6421'
elev. gain/loss: 5558'/-2302'
{{/colin-and-the-maiden.JPG|colin maiden peak|width=80%}}
{{/david-on-the-maiden.JPG|david on maiden peak|width=80%}}
{{/colin-on-the-maiden.JPG|colin on maiden peak|width=80%}}
== Day 4 Deer Park to Slab Camp ==
distance: 5.239 mi
time: 3:46:51
min/max elev.: 2533'/5403'
elev. gain/loss: 243'/-3020'
