Olympic Climbing: Day One

I know the Olympics doesn’t start until 2008 but that did not stop Derrick, Kevin, and I from doing what we know best: climbing.  We ventured out to the legendary Olympic National Park/Forest for some true camping and climbing.  This is not your typical camping where you get plastered from dusk to dawn.  Although Captain Morgan was present, we were focused on hardcore camping.

 On Thursday, August 30th, we set out for the Campbell Grove campground near Lake Quinault, Washington.  It was there that we set up camp and ventured out to our first hike of the trip: Colonel Bob, a 4500 ft peak in the middle of a temperate rainforest.  Instead of driving to the trailhead, we set out to hike to the trailhead.  A mere 3 mile hike to the trailhead took all of our energy and patience, however.  We had to zigzag across the Humptulips River six times to get to the trailhead.  However, there are no bridges and the water was cold with slippery rocks. 

We only made it through to five crossings that day.  The first three crossings were easy enough as we found fallen trees to scamper arcoss.  The fourth and fifth required taking our shoes off and walking cautiously over.  I was a bit more daring than Derrick and Kevin.  Some might say a little bit more foolish.  While on the fourth crossing, I saw an embedded log in the middle of the riverand decided to jump for it.  My feet doesn’t like the cold much anyhow.  I miraculously landed on the log but slipped a bit upon landing.  I then regained my balance to jump off the log to other side.  In the process, I got my shoes wet.  Arg!

On our way back to camp and on the same fourth crossing, I decided to climb over some rocks and trees on the side to get to a fallen but slippery tree that laid over the river.  After a bit of acrobatic maneuvering, I got onto the fallen tree and straddled it like a female gymnast.  At that point, I just scooted my butt until I got to the other end.  Thanks to Bear Grylls of “Man versus Wild” for the tip.

Although we never met Colonel Bob, we still had fun journeying around the rainforest.  And the polish dogs for dinner was the topper.