August 23, 2018 | Day 111
17 miles [2276.7]

Woke up at 7:30 A.M. and startled myself when I didn’t see any tents around; I got over nine solid hours of sleep. Packed in 14 minutes, a new record, and started cruising. Started to rise above the dense timber and saw Mt. Adams, no clouds or smoke, it was clear. We’re easily in the best spot in Washington and arguably along the whole trail: Goat Rocks. Mt. Adam’s was clear, huge, and glimmering. “Shocks” and I took a glorious morning snack break at Cispus Pass and studied the massif like a Renaissance painting while pounding stroopwafels. Pure bliss. The trail was adorned in fields of alpine flowers, bubbling waterfalls, and luxurious puffy clouds. Guthook indicated there were some possible campsites along the stock alternate at the base of Old Snowy and “Shocks” had a penthouse suite in mind. Took our sweet time and mosied to the stock alternate and was gobsmacked by Mt. Rainier. Looming. Jagged. Red. An amazing 360-degree view of the Knife’s Edge. Found a dirt patch exactly the size of two tents and set up. Cooked a Knorr side for lunch, one I had been toting around for at least 400 miles, threw in some butter, garlic powder, e.v.o.o., and pepperoni slices. Refueled and resisted the urge to nap by summitting Old Snowy, took tons of photos. The entire day felt like a great gift: good company with my brother, great weather—I can count the number of days without clouds on one hand. Certainly the best birthday in recent memory. For the last eight years I would be getting home from the Ranch, either by train or with Carter and Imara, followed by a quiet day at home. What a remarkable way to break the trend. The next ten years I feel will be successful. Commit to hard work each and every day on anything art-related, there’s so much to do.

Hike On?