Days 136 – 142

October 1 — day 142
Camped mile 2004.9 hiked 15.9 miles today.
I was a bit slow in getting going, what with having to thaw out shoes in order to put them on, etc. I think that it was in the mid–20s at night. I was so happy that the sun has finally come back at least for a visit. I was able to really dry my stuff out at lunch today. I forgot how fluffy my sleeping bag could be. I camped four miles away from Santiam Pass and Hwy 20. I was actually warm this evening for the first time in a while.

September 30 — day 141
Camped mile 2020.8 hiked 16.4 miles today.
The push over the 7000 foot height point was difficult. I had to navigate almost entirely via GPS. There wasn’t even a hint of trail up high. I was breaking trail in drifts up to three feet. I was moving pretty slowly but working hard to make that progress. I again camped in snow, but I scraped it off to dirt to be a little warmer. I camped short of where I wanted to in order to find a protected site. I’m at the limit of my gear temperature-wise. I’m wearing everything including a stuff sack I turned into a cap. (3 hats: a cap, stuff sack, jacket hood and rain hat.)

September 29 — day 140
Camped mile 2037.2 hiked 21.5 miles today.
It was surprising to see the store open at Olallie Lake. I was glad for a few minutes of sun to attempt to dry out my gear. I got into more snow and weather as I ascended toward camp. I was planning on pushing over the 7000 foot high point today but the weather, visibility and dark quickly approaching made an early camp a better option.

September 28 — day 139
Camped mile 2058.7 hiked 24.6 miles today.
I woke to snow. It was another wet day of walking. I camped a little earlier today at Pinhead Saddle.

September 27 — day 138
Camped mile 2083.3 hiked 26.3 miles today.
Another long wet day. I made it to Timberline Lodge around noon. I picked up my package, sorted stuff and charged my devices. As I was heading out it was beginning to snow. I was descending from the Lodge so eventually I was back to rain. I again walked into the dark.

September 26 — day 137
Camped mile 2109.5 hiked 29.6 miles today.
It was an unpleasant rainy day. The terrain was easy. I hiked into the dark.

September 25 — day 136
Camped mile 2139.1 hiked 8.2 miles today.
Back on the trail at Cascade Locks. Made it here from Seattle today by bus. Had lunch and then started up the steep climb going South from the river. Had a beautiful campsite with a sunset view.