In acknowledging the assistance of others in the creation of this book, I find it difficult to divorce the third edition from its relationship as successor to the first and second editions. Although it is virtually impossible to acknowledge everyone who has been helpful with respect to the three editions, it is even more difficult to separate those who helped on the second edition from those who made contributions to the first. Certainly anyone who was mentioned in the acknowledgments of either one or both of the first two books can rightfully consider that they are credited here with making significant contributions, and I again wish to thank them for their past assistance.
The major problem I faced in researching and writing this edition of Olympic Mountains Trail Guide was how to deal with my increasing disability due to Parkinson’s disease, which has greatly limited my ability to make field trips into the mountains. I realize that my climbing days are over, and most of my hiking ones as well. As a result, I have had to rely on close friends to become, so to speak, my arms and legs, my eyes and ears, insofar as noting and writing about changes that have occurred along the trails in recent years.
With respect to this new edition, I wish to express my special thanks to the members of what I call the “Committee of the Three Bills”—William Fleming, William E. Hoke, and William G. Sipple—who, together with my good friend Kent Heathershaw, instructor of mountaineering and backpacking at Olympic College, volunteered to assist with the rigorous field work needed in order to update the book. I owe these four, together with their hiking companions, a deep debt of gratitude because they did this out of kindness and dedication to the task and not for material gain. My thanks go to Jim Benton, Frank Chapin, John Fleming, Arthur Jacobsen, Dick McConaughy, Robert Scribner, Curt Steeb, John Stiever, Nancy Trask, Robert Van Pelt, and Barry G. White. If I have left out the name of anyone who should be acknowledged, it has been unintentional, and I extend my sincere apologies.
I am also grateful to Bill Sipple for convincing me I should get a personal computer and then teaching me how to use it, so that I am still able to keep up my correspondence and type manuscripts. Putting such a lengthy manuscript as this one on computer disk is, however, still somewhat beyond my capabilities. For her efforts in this regard, I thank my good friend Jessica Tonne.
For their assistance in the preparation of the 2004 update, Terry Wood would like to thank Bryan Bell of Olympic National Park, plus Susie Graham, Pete Erben, Ken Eldredge, Marji Dunmyer and Molly Erickson of Olympic National Forest.