Awesome post.

Way cool.  I grew up spending lots of time in the Olympics; it really is a hidden treasure.  It was weird to me when I moved to Seattle and started exploring the Cascades and would see....people.  Not a lot of people in the Olympics.  I need to go back to the Olympics - this time with a boat.

BRoss, I think "the best" will always be subjective. Trips like these aren't about the crushing whitewater, at least for me. These trips offer me an opportunity to cruise through a zone no one's been to, probably since Ryan and I were in there last year... and get through it feeling good at the end. These hike-in trips are a lot of work and that's part of the reward in the end. It's no Middle Kings, no endless crushing whitewater. Although, there are great drops and lots of canyons and LOTS of rapids. In order to really enjoy these trips I think you need to want to be there, the whole length of the trip. If you're just wanting the Tshlasm or the Lower Canyons for example, the rest of the trip just might suck for you. I dig the Tshletshy trip... maybe not the last couple pitches getting up to the low saddle, but well, you know.. Remote locale, days from outside help, challenging conditions including weather, navigating class IV-V river conditions. I prefer the difference between a 'comfortable' trip and 'harsh conditions' trip being wise choices, not an unknown.

It is what it is. It's the best if that's the trip you want. It was the best last year, the best this year, even though it was still physically punishing. Scott Matthews recalled about a dozen portages. We had more than that this year.

It seems there is a different mentality permeating the sport of kayaking these days that wasn't as prevalent 20 or 30 years ago. Back then the idea was to get as much river in with as little walking as possible, spending the better part of the day out there. Bridge to bridge style. Great. They were exploring limits, too. Not only in feet-per-mile, but manufacturers were making huge improvements with new materials and improved designs. When guys like Gary Korb and Scott Matthews began hiking into these runs people thought they were crazy, or at least a little weird. Kayaking was a leisurely activity. Class IV was getting extreme. Guys like Yvon Choiunard, Lars Holbeck, and Walt Blackadar, heck Chris Spelius even... these guys were icons at the time, larger than life. Out there on the fringe of life barely hanging on, but making it. The stories were compelling, breath taking. Read some of Messner's feats in the climbing/mountaineering world back in the '70's. Legendary to this day.

The iconic status of these men spoke more to the spirit of adventure than the ability to dominate anything. Maybe they were simply trying to survive it. That same spirit is what calls to me. I feel the need to explore and these are the places I'm moved to go. So yes, I suppose this is some of the best.

These guys started doing this kind of exploring around here, but it seems (from my limited perspective) local paddling peers just thought they were strange. I heard some great stories each night in camp on our way down Tshletshy though. I like the adventure, the complexity trips like this contain. Wildwater - The Movie talks about the quest, the search. There are many sentiments that ring true for me in this film as I'm sure they do for everyone. Doug Ammons speaks to the inner drive and motivation very well. For me it is about being out there. Surviving. Well, not just surviving, but having fun and doing the little things along the way you want. See the stuff, snapping the shots, living my way "through" the trip and being as present with the experience as I can be... without a judgement or story. Making wise decisions along the way and learning from my mediocre ones. I learn a lot and enjoy living nomadically. Camping for a few hours then moving out, leaving no trace.

I suppose it can become a lifestyle if one isn't careful. Might quit yer job and buy a van. The best can happen every trip.