It's a plot!

What’s with all this fuss over wolves? Some people are all excited because packs have been confirmed in both Washington (in the Methow Valley) and Oregon (northeastern).

Well sure, wolves are cool. In both cases these are the first confirmed packs in these states in three-quarters of a century. And the photos of the pups and recordings of howlings taken by Conservation Northwest volunteers are hella cool.

But hey, I saw a wolverine! It’s true! On Friday, July 18, my buddy Tim and I were at 6,500’ on the south side of Mount Baker when we saw a wolverine hustling up a steep snowfield. Here’s a photo of its tracks in the snow. When was the last time a wolverine’s been spotted on Baker or anywhere on the westside? I don’t know, but way long for sure.

But does anyone care. No! Because the alpha wolves were collared on that same day, and pup photos and DNR evidence came out shortly after. You’re all a bunch of wolf snobs.

What does it mean when wolverine and wolves and popping up all over? One friend of mine argues that it’s somehow evidence of climate change. Whatever. Another possibility is that our spotting methods (remote cameras, etc.) are more refined. Sure, OK.

But I think what’s really going on is that the backcountry is wilder, and the critters are returning to it for that reason. There’s much less logging than 15 years ago. New logging roads ain’t being built and old ones are being removed or, in many cases, crumbling in storms and (due to funding constraints) not being fixed. Trapping is no longer allowed. There is even a disturbing social trend of far fewer people traversing and camping in backcountry than in recent decades.

The Cascades are a wilder place. I can live with that. And so can wolves and WOLVERINES!