Wahtum Lake Area / Columbia River Gorge

WOW those are some KILLER photos, love seeing that snow up on Benson Plateau. I found waist deep snow up there on June 12th one year!!!

Mark In The Dark
Portland
markndark@aol.com

How very brave of you this time of year! I just picked up a Gatewood Cape, but haven't had a chance to try it out yet for an overnighter.

I would be interested in a basic gear list you took. Specificallly, I am interested if the cape was your sole rainwear or if you brough a rain jacket. Also, is that an REI wp/b bivy? How did that perform?

I recently moved to Portland, and am constantly meddling with my gear list. Do I bring the gatewood and a wp/b bivy, or will a pertex bivy be sufficient? Or should I splurge with my Golite Hex 3 and purchase an ID eVent rain jacket?

I'm tempted to stay light with the cape, but when Ryan Jordan did the Wonderland Trail in November he brought an ID eVent Jacket and a full-on tent–the Black Diamond eVent!

I'm still waiting for BPL's article on wet weather hiking that was due this past Spring…

I would also be interested in the gear list, so ditto. Including the camera ID.

We live in the lower Cascades, Mt. Lassen, Columbia River is incredible, the gorge(s) is/are insane.

Very nice! I don't get down to the Gorge often enough as it is such a long drive. Love it there though in off season :-)
Btw, where is shot 1# taken?

My gear list was:
Granite Gear Virga
Gatewood Cape w/6 Titanium Stakes and Equinox 2.5oz Chaps
REI Minimlaist Bivy (Long)
T.N.F Propel Sleeping Bag (COLD!, my 40' Atom is much warmer)
1 3/4 Ridgerest + 3/4 Blue foam Mattress
FlexAir Plus Pillow
Home made beer can stove setup
Couple Platty bottles
Auqa Mira

The cape was indeed my sole raingear. I was a bit damp on the way back on day 2 due to constant downpour of rain for the last 4 hours of the trip. Also, the chaps are not breathable so that "helped" me get a bit damp as well. The Bivy performed better than expected! Not a drop of condensation was inside. Temperatures were in the low 30s. I should point out the 30+ gust MPH winds along the top of the plateau were still around 15 MPH gusts above Wahtum Lake, hence the bivy sack and the possible result of minimal condensation. It was my first trip with the cape and even in wind it was not hard to set up. I wear it with the harness still attached. To take down takes literally seconds as you stuff it into its own pocket. It deflected wind little and was quite stable with the gusts. I did cook in it as I left the hood open to vent (it was not snowing at the time) which to me was VERY welcome.

My base pack weight was 9.72 lbs. Ryan could have done it in 5 I bet ;)

If I can answer any more questions, please feel free to fire away. I am new at this posting so sorry if it sounds "mechanical" -Johnathan

Shot #1 was taking at the Herman Creek Bridge about a mile from the Herman Creek Campground (Work Center?) along the Columbia River Gorge.

The camera is an old Fujifilm A330 cheapy.

I also want to say thank you guys for the nice comments! I am so new to this site, I am not yet used to talking to people using the computer as a proxy. :)

Welcome!! I love seeing photos of areas I haven't had a chance to visit yet! I fell in love with Eagle Creek a couple years ago, but due to the 3-4 hour drive, I don't get down often that way. I'd love to do part of the PCT next summer in Oregon.

I like the differents colors of green on your second picture. Thank for sharing

Pat