Quick update

Almost two weeks into the section hike. Highlights include lava rock the first day, followed by some blow downs, burnt forest, and much more snow than anticipated. Another hiker said there was more snow here in Oregon than he saw in the Sierras in 2022. We had one snow shelf that was particularly sketchy but mostly, it was fun. A couple of glissades.

We ate the lunch buffet at the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. At $30 a person, we ate our share of meat, veggies, fruit, and dessert. Cleaned up the best we could in our tent—trying to spare others our particular odor.

A new record—12 days without laundry or bathing. You get used to being dirty fairly quickly. But I’ll tell you, laundry and a shower are joyous activities on trail.

We feel good and energetic. We’re stretching a lot, trying to avoid the shin splints we experienced on the CDT. Oregon was pretty easy hiking, Washington will have a lot more climbing and descending and pose more of a challenge.

Unfortunately our hotel has limited WiFi so this entry will be short. Hope to write more during our next zero day.