This years mule deer hunt in the North Cascades of WA State started out with high anticipation as we were back dooring a new area that we thought would be productive.

In reality it handed our butts to us.

Contrary to last year it was hot and way steeper than we were counting on. The hike in was also full of large blow downs which
impeded our pace. For 9 miles we hiked thinking that things would open up and we would find some chutes with grass to glass,
nothing doing. Steep Rocks all the way. So be it, I'll know where not to go now.

Was it fun? yeah! No deer though, yet, I'm thinking of going back this weekend to another closer area to get freezer buck if need be.

I used a Kelty Red Cloud, 6.8 lbs and it worked just perfect.
A new MSR Hubba one man tent was in my pack at 2.5 lbs it was
light to carry and easy to use.

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This water coming off the glacier above was refreshing!

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Sounds like a good trip there SU

Dober

Awesome pics...
Thanks for sharing!

Looks like a great time!

Very cool, man...

GREAT!

SU,

Pretty cool, at least you were out there!

Thanks for sharing and bag the big one again next time!

MtnHtr

It can be tough when a new area doesn't pan out; however, hittin' up new country is the only way to come about a honey hole. Nice pics.

Good point jigman, as we gave our honey hole a breather this year. We know of some bucks who given just another year's time will come to a little more maturity.



NOTE

I made the mistake of NOT unbuckling my pack and loosing my shoulder straps before I crossed
that creek. It may be only knee deep but an experienced hiker in Alaska just lost his life a few weeks ago in a creek of the same size.
He bent over to pick up a pole, lost his balance and went in head first and was not able to get out of his pack.
He drowned in knee deep water.

Great pics! Thanks. Some hunts I rack up as learning a place that I'll not go back to.

Excellent reminder on unbuckling waist strap when crossing a stream. I prefer to slip one hand inside a shoulder strap also, though it makes using poles awkward sometimes. To get out of the pack you just straighten that arm and roll out.

Very cool!

Looks like fun to me!