Day 134
8/14/14
24.2 miles to White Pass
2203 total miles

It rained again most of the night so I just worried again. I also wondered what Atlas thought about me not showing up in White Pass yesterday. It was foggy when I started hiking but then started to clear.

As I got to the open traverse leading to Cispus Pass I saw a herd of mountain goats! Awesome. They knew I was there and stayed just enough ahead of me that I couldn’t get a great photo. But they were there!

The sun was shining thru the clouds and rising over the Goat Rocks. I was feeling pretty good about my decision.

I descended into the fog on the other side of Cispus Pass.

As I climbed up the sun tried mightily to break thru. I could see Mt Rainer! A huge cloud bank sat just below it.

I could see the Knife’s Edge and the trail on top leading out forever.

I checked for cell service. Got it.  I texted Atlas to let him know where I was. Then I checked weather. 80% chance of rain today. Yikes. I better hurry. I headed up the trail to Old Snowy and the fog enclosed around me. I walked the whole Knife’s Edge in fog but it stayed dry.

After the Knife's Edge, before rain.

The last 13 miles were in rain. Better than last time when the last 15 were in rain. I guess I am just not supposed to see this part of the trail. I was very cold and wet when I got to White Pass. I had been dreaming of bacon all day. The gas station store was just about to close when I got there but I was able to get hot chocolate and hot fries. Atlas was still there. We bought beer, bacon and eggs. The condos next door have kitchenettes so we could cook. A long hot shower revived me. I washed out my clothes, turned the heat on high and popped open a beer. Then I ate bacon.

What a day! Not the day of my dreams but still great in a different way. You get what you get. I’m satisfied. Except for being cold at the end I had an awesome day.