Yesterday Earlier Ploss and I had a random conversation about a future hike on the Wonderland and how we’d rock it differently next time. Here’s what we came up with for a more ideal 8 (7.5) day expedition; distance and elevation updated from 2008 estimates:
| Day | Camp | Miles | Gain | Loss |
| Sat | S. Puyallup River | 11.8 | 4145 | 2925 |
| Sun | Golden Lakes | 12.2 | 3700 | 2570 |
| Mon | Eagle’s Roost | 12 | 2824 | 2725 |
| Tue | Mystic Lake | 12 | 3665 | 3424 |
| Wed | Sunrise Camp | 10 | 2095 | 1420 |
| Thu | Indian Bar | 16 | 3550 | 3520 |
| Fri | Paradise River | 17.4 | 3100 | 5240 |
| Sat | Out | 5.5 | 150 | 1350 |
| Totals | – | 96.9 | 23229 | 23229 |
We I did a poor job of estimating elevation gain/loss last year – from Sunrise to Indian Bar, for example I was off by more than 1500′ of gain – d’oh! – and of course the stretch from Indian Bar to Nickel Creek was not ahem straight downhill. Fortunately in the past year I’ve learned how to properly use both an elevation profile and a pocket calculator.
Going back to the WLT and completing the circuit next time is a really high priority for me, and it was key to reminisce about good times at Rainier eh. I’d definitely like to throw out WLT: Da Return as an early candidate for 2010.
PS: totally hating with the flu, postponed my desert trip out 2 weeks
smackpacker.com 