DnA, myself, Tim, Nina, Yas, Rolling Thunder, Mike U., Lost are all
here in St. Mary’s. We went over Peigan Pass yesterday. We’re in a
multi-day weather event, rain constantly down low, and snow up high.
Had been hiking with Joker, but he turned around due to inadequate
gear. He’s planning on a 28mi day today to meet us at Red Eagle Lake.

As for the conditions. I’m very concerned about avalanches. I think
that by now there is at least a foot of new snow at high elevation,
and winddrifts in the multiple feet. It could easily lead to deadly
slab avalanches. Yet, we’ve got “summit fever” and are hiking on. I’m
worried but will see. Another TJer says he saw 12 avalanches yesterday
and the pack has only grown more unstable. In short, conditions are
probably pretty dangerous. I’m even thinking about road walking to
East Glacier.

Up over Peigan Pass, we hit fresh snow fairly close to the pass. High
winds. A scary descent across avalanche chutes. About a foot plus slab
of new snow easily slid on the old layer. Old snow started way early,
there’s lots of it.

Be safe out there, and consider waiting 3 or so days for the snow to
play itself out.

Ten of us bailed out of the mountains to St. Mary Lodge tonight. It’s
day three. First day was an easy ten miles to a great campsite with
fun people. Second day was 27.5 miles and 2.5 passes for me. Too many!
I got to the top of Red Gap Pass, looked to grab a snack, and realized
that I’d left my food, pot, stove, first aid kit, back in the bear
locker all the way back down at the lake. While the day was long, it
was enjoyable.

Then there was today. Brutal. It started raining around five AM, so we
all woke up and started walking. Way earlier than expected we hit
snow. Up and up over the pass. I hiked with Lost (it’s her birthday!)
and Yas (a japanese guy, english only so so). Crampons, ice axes, rain
gear, full on mountaineering in rain and snow. Towards the top, I got
pretty concerned about avalanche conditions. Crazy, but yeah,
avalanche conditions should be rated at HIGH for today. So that wasn’t
fun. Our group got bigger, some near hypothermic. Jesus. Then, after
all of the pain, in the easy stuff, my knee kinked. It hurts! Hurts to
walk up or down stairs, etc. It’s supposed to rain and snow for the
next few days. In my mind, the safe thing to do is to either wait, or
road walk around the mountains. But the herd is leaving, and i’ll be
with ‘em. Unless my knee needs some time to heal.

We’re having fun. But damn!

There are thirteen of us in town right now. All of that group will be
starting from Cheif Mtn. The ranger said it’d be “extremely stupid to
try the highline now”. I hear that a few SOBOers started that today,
and I’ve heard that there are six people who have started from Cheif.

I’m leaving this evening. Guests are coming in an hour for a backyard
bash of falafels and wine. My pack is strewn around the back room. My
backup gear needs to be thrown in a box. I’m still loading my GPS, and
I just bought a new camera. Talk about last minute.

Tonight I fly to Seattle and then on to Spokane. I’ll take a taxi to
the train station for the 1:30am ride to East Glacier. I expect that
I’ll meet other thruhikers on the train platform. Can’t wait to rejoin
the tribe!