Sunday, August 9
Start/end: campsite just shy of Rock Pass
Miles: 29.4 miles
Gain/loss: 8320′
Book listened to: A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
I was up at 5am this morning and on trail by 5:45am; it was around 40 degrees when I started and took a number of hours to warm up to the point that my hands didn’t hurt. I passed over Rock Pass and Woody Pass, and passed by Hopkins lake, Hopkins Pass, and Castle Pass before arriving at the Canadian border at 10:45am.
I took a break for photos and a snack before turning around and heading back.
Between Castle Pass and the border, there were 39 downed trees, about 30% which required climbing around them. Thankfully, as I headed back, the sun started being blocked by the mountains, so I had shade and some relief from the heat.
It was lovely to get back to camp fairly early (4:15pm) and already have my tent set up and waiting for me, along with my friend. It was nice to have company for evening camp chores.
Transcending Mountains 