Me 
Leaving Snoqualmie Pass I knew it was going to be a hard day. A few days ago I had looked north to what Rolling Thunder would call my “destiny horizon” and now I was there, climbing that horizon. Not far up the hill two nice trail runners overtook me and then I knew it was going to be a good day too.
I was watching the peak on the west of the lake. When the sun was on it I’d start moving and thus I was the last to leave. It also meant that I was the only one to see the bear at the top of the first hill. There wasn’t anything particularly notable about the walk and soon enough I was down at Snoqualmie Pass, looking at those formidable mountains ahead. It looks like […]
read more..
Another Washington night. I didn’t bother with a tent because it was pretty clear went I went to sleep but this morning I woke in a cloud and the mist was condensing on the trees and falling on my sleeping bag. I couldn’t get out so I just went deeper in. Eventually though I had to move. I wore rain-pants this morning. Not because it was actually ever raining but I knew everything I […]
read more..
Tonight I sleep within 300 miles of Manning Park, the place you walk to after finishing the PCT at the border.
Today has been a mix of feelings. Listening to Timo Mass’ “It’s the first day (of the rest of your life)” I pictured myself waking up at Manning Park in Canada. It wouldn’t be a zero day, it would just be a day, like 1000s more to come where I no longer have to think about water, food, distance, pack weight etc. I’d get on a […]
read more..
The Noodleheads, Easy Mac and Lizard set off this morning. I however decided to stay put. The clouds have rolled in and out and hiking in rain doesn’t appeal to me at all. I’ll try again tomorrow.
Speedstick, A-Train and Geyser stayed too so we’ve all got a smaller room than last night and have watched enough hamburger for the brain to last me to Canada.
Lucky Joe came and went, moving fast to reach Skykomish for a dentist appointment the Dinsmores have set […]
read more..
I’m finding sleeping on the ground less and less comfortable. I woke several times this morning with one shoulder going numb under me. Each time the sky was a lighter shade of grey and the horizon getting brighter orange. Eventually I had to reach out of my bag, and then I shuttled back inside. It was cold out there and things were damp. Sleeping in past 7 will be one of my greatest luxuries when I’m off the trail.
read more..
“We’re going to shake things up a bit” Angelhair announced. Instead of the standard 25 they were going for 29 which meant reaching the other side of ‘The Knife Edge’ in Goat Rocks Wilderness. Every day now involves a lot of climbing and a lot of descending so I figured now was ok to push it a bit. The morning was easy and I stumbled along […]
read more..
What a gorgeous day! A few clouds to keep the temperature down but mostly we had clear skies all day. The initial climb was tough but a few thousand feet later I was sitting on the slopes of Mt. Adams looking at Mt. Hood and around the corner I could see Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier (Roger K. can you tell David G. that I’ve reached his backyard).
Damned logistics are still bothering me when I thought I had this all sorted. Sometime this morning I recalled that I’d be reaching Snoqualime on the weekend, so picking up the memory cards I just asked Dad to send me is going to be hard unless I really speed up or slow right down. And now, after doing 31 miles to fit the new aggressive schedule I’ve found out I sent him the wrong […]
read more..