Just in time

Twenty-six miles left to go. No ice, no frost, no hassle this morning. I was hiking by 0800. The terrain would be fairly strenuous, but I still had good hopes I could make it to the Stevens Pass mountaineering lodge in time for that hot meal.
I put on music, and cruised down the rest of the hill. As forecasted it was another perfectly lovely day, sunny and clear blue skies. I passed several gorgeous lakes, and I pitied that I could not have camped or just stayed a weekend there.

In my mind I planned the stretch. Chopping it up into climbs and descents, estimating how long it would take me based on my average mileage. I kept falling behind on my own schedule, but couldn’t really go any faster. The terrain was rocky and I had to be careful with my steps. Not a whole lot of people on trail today. I’m positive I spurred ahead of the majority of the familiar faces I’ve been seeing the past couple of days. Sure they’ll catch up though.

As the day progressed I was left with 3 large climbs. With my music going non-stop I pretty much hiked the last 12 miles without taking a real break. I only stopped to grab some water. Since I had run out of snacks the only thing left in my pack that I could eat were either tortillas with peanut butter (which I would have to prepare) and candy. Not really liking the quick flash of energy pure sugar gives me, I opted out of both. If I just continuously stayed at it, hoping I could make up for it at dinner.

Around 1830, I made it to the top of the final climb. I sighed in relief.
At the ridge I got service and I received a great message from my uncle. A shout-out to Henne, thanks for your support!!
Only two miles downhill to the lodge. I found my legs and flew downhill. It was getting dark now too. Fortunately that’s when suddenly I was overlooking Stevens Pass, the ski-resort with its many restaurants and ski-lifts. Since I had service here too, I navigated cross-country using google-maps. Meandering through the maze of ski-lifts and other facility buildings in the direction of the lodge. At 1920, I saw the cheerful Christmas lights hanging off the balcony of the lodge, shining bright in the distance. When I stumbled in, there were 3 other hikers there, Reese’s, Vortex-bait & Puma-Salad, and volunteer Jeff. All new faces. I was just in time for dinner and enjoyed large portions of chili on the comfy couch next to the roaring fireplace. I felt so happy! After getting cleaned up, and into a clean set of clothes, I learned that they would watch a movie tonight! The choice of the evening was the gem “Every which way but loose”, with Clint Eastwood and an Orang Otang. I hadn’t seen that flick before, and I laughed myself silly.
As I was settling into the evening after the movie, in the toasty warmth of the wooden lodge, with a full belly and great company, I looked back on the past two days of hiking big and fast miles.
Totally worth it!

Can I get your hand to write on
Just a piece of leg to bite on
What a night to fly my kite on
Do you want to flash your light on

Take a look
It’s on display for you
Coming down
No, not today

Did you meet your fortune teller
Get it off with no propeller
Do it up, it’s on with Stella
What a way to finally smell her

Pick it up
If not too strong for you
Take a piece
And pass it on

Fly away on my zephyr
I feel it more than ever
And in this perfect weather
We’ll find a place together

The Zephyr Song – Red Hot Chili Peppers