What View?

I think last night set the record for the coldest it’s been on trail. I was wearing all of my warm layers and was still a little chilly. I woke up in a complete fog cloud. The fog was so thick that I couldn’t see the far end of the small lake we camped next to. The reflection of the white cloud made it look like one big seamless waterfall of fog.

I kept all of my layers on to start the day. I crossed my fingers, hoping that the fog would lift. We were entering the border of Mt. Rainier National Park and were supposed to have some epic views of the mountain. Unfortunately all we could see were valleys of fog all day.

There was a brief moment after lunch where Drom and I got to a meadow and the clouds parted creating the most incredible break spot. I basked in the sunshine for the 10 minutes it lasted. Seeing the sun, even if just for a brief moment, motivated the rest of my day.

Rumor has it there is sun in the forecast for the next few days. But after our knife edge experience, I’ll believe it when I see it. Drom and I are camping on a little cliff side with another hiker. It is supposed to be a Tentsite for one, but somehow we have three squished together.

There were so many day hikers out on the trail today. A few asked me about my time on the PCT, and many asked if I was headed all the way to Canada. I had to tell them about the current trail closures, and although I was hoping to make it, we will have to come back to finish the hike. Saying it out loud to people outside of my hiking bubble made it a little more real. One woman and her two kids cheered us on as we passed them, telling us we can do it. And we can! Only a few more days.