Up Close with Mt Rainier

8/6/13

PCT mile 2334 Sheep Lk - 2350  16 mi

Elev 5750-5676

Up at 5 am we filtered water and started uphill. The lake was backed by high rock ramparts which I never dreamed we'd actually go up and over but we did!  It helps to get a challenging climb done  early.

As we crossed Sourdough Gap we saw 2 marmots curious about us, watching from their rocky perch, I gave a "whoop" as I stood in the gap 

and could look down to Sheep Lake in the shadows below

and to the next valley we'd be hiking through.

We wound around this bowl and across more gaps and saddles into multiple valleys over the next few hours

Then got a clear view of Mt Rainier front and center with glaciers visible.

We sat on an out cropping looking across the valley to Crystal Mt ski area and caught their WiFi signal!  We both called family (a great morale boost) and I was able to upload my blog that I couldn't load at our last resupply town in Packwood.  We met 2 young SoBo distance hikers, Daniel & Allison (Fickle Pickle) who we chatted with for about 10 minutes. 

The sun caught us on exposed trail and we cooked for the next miles. I believe this blue bell flower is Toad Flax.

There are always flowers making the way pretty though hot! The purple is Silky Phisalia (sp?) a new flower for us.

Going downhill in the afternoon we met a whole group of kids and a few adults hiking up to a lake basin. One girl in particular was not enjoying the hike, her pack was heavy, stuff hanging from the back of it. We wished we could take it apart and help her readjust the fit. 

Our last 7 miles were a slog, hiking from shade spot to shade spot. We passed a young man carrying a Mylar umbrella for sun protection. His name was Aaron, trail name Zeke the Freak, he started at Hart's Pass hiking SoBo as far as he can get.

We finally found water at 5pm and camped. Due to limited water tomorrow we will only go 12-14 miles and dry camp (only what water we can carry with us). We both are having aches and pains so we'll sleep til 6am tomorrow and hope the lower miles will help too.

I fixed instant mashed red potatoes and opened a single Spam pkt. Which I never thought I'd eat but tastes surprisingly good out here (much to Peggy's dismay!).