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!

Whew. It’s my last night in town, and I’ve pretty much given up. I’ve
done enough. I’m ready to go out with friends and not worry about it!
The last major things that I haven’t dealt with yet include loading
maps and tracks on my GPS. I’m sick of that project, screw it!

I’ve also got to buy a new camera. Not happy with the one that was
supplied. I’ll walk up the street and buy one at the local photo store
tomorrow. Other than that, my maps are packed. I’ve got food ready for
Canada to Helena. And then another box to Sula Country Store. I
wrangled my grandmother and my uncle into sending me a box a piece.
Food of their choosing. That’ll be interesting!