9/4/12

  We got up very early on Monday, hiking by 630. The sunrise on the climb up to the knifes edge was spectacular. We could see Adams, St. Helens, and Rainier. The moon was still up and it was chilly on the climb up, but amazing. We passed tents left and right on the climb up to the ridge, lots of weekend warriors out and about. At the ridge top I waited for Lauren and watched people working their way up to the ridge. I could see the trail for miles and enjoyed watching the groups approach the ridge.
    The walk on the knifes edge was like no other hike I had ever been on. Not for someone with vertigo, cliffs thousands of feet down on both sides.
   The rest of the hike to town was easy and mellow. Lauren was feeling better and we moved pretty good all the way to Whites Pass. At the pass I started to call hotels in Packwood, see if anything was available. Right when I was about to give up, because everything was full, Steve and Steady showed up. We met them months ago near Belden and had seen them a few times since. Steve is a serious trail angel, and his wife Steady is a triple crowner hiking large sections of the trail this year. Both are amazing people.
   They said the hotel they are staying at had rooms available and though it was out of town, they could drive us around. It worked out great and Steve even treated us to dinner at an amazing pizza place!
   Today we enjoyed Packwood some more. Very nice library, great outdoor shop, and all around friendly town. I didn't want to leave. It is probably my favorite town on this trail so far. We convinced each other that we should leave though, as it was a beautiful day and we might as well be hiking.
    We got a ride out of town in less than ten minutes. A tractor trailer pulled over to our surprise, and delight. A native Washington man hauling doubles full of gliserine across the state. Super nice guy and my first ever hitch from a tractor trailer. He said he was tired and happy to have some people to talk to.
    We got back on the trail at about 3 pm, and enjoyed the pretty flat walking. Ten miles is about what we did, and we both feel great. I packed out leftover pizza and beer for dinner, it was great.
   I am excited to be back out here. My friend TC is doing trail maintenance south of Snoqualimie Pass and we hope to catch him in a couple days.