Those of you rushing off from the We't side to the Okanogan for the White-
winged Crossbills and other winter birds, and if via U.S. 97 / Blewett Pass,
BEWARE!!

**WARNING!!** The north-side down slope winter roadway can be and IS
extremely treacherous and dangerous! I nearly lost it on that stretch in snow
during my rush to Twisp and the winter birding gold mines of the Okanogan on
the 26th. Compact snow and ice, good ol' and reliable "ICEBIRD" (my AWD
Subaru) went'a fish-tailing on the down slope, then completely out of control.
Tapped the breaks ever so slightly at first sign of trouble -- even that was
too much, and I was off on a thrill ride that lasted a full mile at the very
least. Sliding sideways, facing one way then the other, then a slow 360, and
still sliding, and just trying to keep the car in the road and not hit
anything, never touching the brakes again. I was remarkably calm through this
whole thing -- to panic was pointless! -- car sliding all the way down and all
over the road, miraculously making all the twisty winding curves. Finally, I
did another 360 plus 180 more and was then going backward as I saw the
shoulder approaching over my shoulder. At that point, I just kind of calmly
shrugged thinking to myself, "Well, this is it, I guess"...and started off the
road backward. The instant the rear wheels hit the fresh plowed powder on the
shoulder, the car came to a sudden but gentle stop, "poof" -- almost as if
caught by someone or maybe it was 'my guardian angel'. I never hit a thing --
extremely lucky!!! Then, I just pointed "ICEBIRD" north and drove away -- a
lot more slowly and cautious!

Having owned AWD and 4WD Subaru since 1978 and accumulated lots of experience
driving snowy icy roads, this was the FIRST time *ever* that I had ever so
much as slipped or skidded at all and have never gotten stuck. Overconfidence
maybe? Maybe. Just be careful! The north-side down slope of winding Blewett
is a notorious trap for unsuspecting, poorly equipped, or just plain over
confident and careless motorists. I've encountered more winter-related
accidents along that stretch than anywhere else in the state. If you have one
of those big and powerful 4WD SUVs, don't think for a second that you are
invincible. It is those exactly that I routinely see more often than any
other crashed in the ditch and overturned. The 4WD SUV's can be especially
unstable and hard to control, especially so if you're already out of control.
If you lose it on a slippery down-slope there (or anywhere), just keep your
foot OFF the brake, keep the wheels pointed in the direction of the skid as
best you can, and just hope for the best, and stay calm.

I prefer to drive Washington's mainline winter routes (EXCEPT I-90
Snoqualme!!) at night / early dark wee hours, even when it's raining or
snowing since there is usually little or no traffic meaning fewer vehicles to
be bothered with, or have to be worrying all the time about the other driver,
or deal with the heavier travel volume constant splatter of dirty mist, slush,
or snow. Also, other vehicle's distant headlights give you an early warning
of a shared roadway which you don't get by day until suddenly being confronted
in rounding the curve. If it's snowing and not a full-blown blinding
downburst, often there is a layer of powder on the roadway to provide better
traction, at least until you catch up to the snowplow which has scraped it off
often leaving an exposed layer of slick compact snow & ice. Then I'll
carefully try to pass and thus back on the unplowed fresh snow again.

So, just be careful, be safe, wear your seatbelts (at least for the transit)
and have a great Washington winter birding experience!

Oh... Here's another tip. Stop in for gas and coffee at the Conoco station
and mini-mart on the right as you enter Tonasket. The coffee is the best
bargain in the state... it's free with fill-up, and FREE for all on Sundays
regardless! And a gas fill-up there, even to just 'top off' is a good idea
before launching forth to explore the Okanogan Highlands where you won't find
another gas station until you return to Tonasket (or Oroville). Don't count
on Wauconda (Rt.20), the 'Wauconda Cafe'; sometimes they have it, sometimes
they don't. But the 'cafe' there is a Highlands classic; local, colorful, and
friendly, and great food.

Richard Rowlett (Pagodroma at aol.com)
47.56N, 122.13W
(Seattle/Bellevue, WA USA)