Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
PCT 2002 - September 5th
Day 135: Thursday 5th September
Cispus River – S. ridge Hogback Mountain
It was very cold in the morning so I was pleased that I managed to get away at 7.15
am. There was still no sign of life from Ed, “Junco” or Richard. When sleeping out it
must be difficult to get out of the sleeping bag with the temperature well below freezing.
The alpine terrain was reminiscent of the High-Level Route across the Pyrenees.
There were fantastic views back to Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens and forward to
Mount Rainier.
Mount Rainier is, at 14,410ft, the highest of the volcanoes in Washington. It is
surrounded by the largest glacier system in the USA, outside of Alaska, with 41 glaciers
radiating from its broad summit. The volcano, which last erupted about 2000 years ago,
was sighted by the English explorer, George Vancouver in 1792 and named after his
fellow explorer, Peter Rainier. It is sometimes referred to by its Indian name, Mount
Tacoma.
The trail traversed snowfields, before crossing the upper slopes of the Packwood
Glacier. The glacier was much smaller than shown on the map, which suggests it was in
rapid retreat. I was surprised to see a Sharp-shinned Hawk hunting along the ridge. It
preys off small birds and was probably looking for dark-eyed Juncos, which were
common at this altitude. Also out hunting was what looked like the larger Goshawk. I
had lunch with “Junco” and Richard, but they then went on ahead to try and reach
White Pass today. The trail dropped down 2,000ft into the woods before climbing back to
the alpine ridges. I camped as the sun was setting among stunted trees on an exposed
ridge with views towards Mount Rainier.
Day 135: 15.1 miles 8.01 hours Camp: S.ridge, Hogback Mountain
Cispus River – S. ridge Hogback Mountain
It was very cold in the morning so I was pleased that I managed to get away at 7.15
am. There was still no sign of life from Ed, “Junco” or Richard. When sleeping out it
must be difficult to get out of the sleeping bag with the temperature well below freezing.
The alpine terrain was reminiscent of the High-Level Route across the Pyrenees.
There were fantastic views back to Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens and forward to
Mount Rainier.
Mount Rainier is, at 14,410ft, the highest of the volcanoes in Washington. It is
surrounded by the largest glacier system in the USA, outside of Alaska, with 41 glaciers
radiating from its broad summit. The volcano, which last erupted about 2000 years ago,
was sighted by the English explorer, George Vancouver in 1792 and named after his
fellow explorer, Peter Rainier. It is sometimes referred to by its Indian name, Mount
Tacoma.
The trail traversed snowfields, before crossing the upper slopes of the Packwood
Glacier. The glacier was much smaller than shown on the map, which suggests it was in
rapid retreat. I was surprised to see a Sharp-shinned Hawk hunting along the ridge. It
preys off small birds and was probably looking for dark-eyed Juncos, which were
common at this altitude. Also out hunting was what looked like the larger Goshawk. I
had lunch with “Junco” and Richard, but they then went on ahead to try and reach
White Pass today. The trail dropped down 2,000ft into the woods before climbing back to
the alpine ridges. I camped as the sun was setting among stunted trees on an exposed
ridge with views towards Mount Rainier.
Day 135: 15.1 miles 8.01 hours Camp: S.ridge, Hogback Mountain
Mount Hood
Mount Rainier
Packwood Glacier
Egg Butte Ridge
Pinnacle on Egg
Butte Ridge
Butte Ridge
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