August 4, 2022 - Snow Lake Giddyup

Day 2 - PCT Section White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass

Last night Runningbird camped at Snow Lake between White Pass and Chinook Pass and was up and doing the Giddyup north at 0500. I was a bit concerned as yesterday the PCTA had posted trail warnings for anyone hiking east from Chinook Pass. Evidently there were a number of fires going just on the east side of the mountains along highway 410 east of Chinook Pass. What’s the wind doing? I don’t know but things change fast. We had a bit of rain here this morning and the temps are cooler so things are changing.

I didn’t here a word from Runningbird today until late afternoon. She was still making good time and she saw a road sign warning about the fires as she crossed over Chinook Pass. She said she was doing fine but had been hiking in dense fog most of the morning so saw very little of the Rainier National Forest.

I don’t know if I mentioned but Beau may have a slightly fractured front leg. A couple days ago I notice a slight limp with anything besides a slow walk. We took him to the vet and he said to keep him quiet and indoors or in the yard. So that’s my job for now. Of course the doc gave us some drugs to help with calming.

By the afternoon I was getting good tracks on Runningbird again and it was obvious she was on a mission to get through this portion on her self-imposed schedule. She had covered almost 24 miles in just over eleven hours and had plenty of daylight left. At 1900 (7 PM) she sent her “Checking In” message and was settling in for the day. She covered 30 miles. I think that is a record for her on the PCT journey.