55 2672.6 8/8/2021 sunny, clouds, rain storm, thunder. The weather report showed a storm approaching at 12 noon to 1:00 pm. So we decided that I’d wake early to arrive early at Rogers Pass which is 17 miles away. I was up at 3:30 and on trail at 4:20 am. It was totally dark so I used my headlamp. Overall the trail was easy to follow. I had to climb immediately 2 miles to a fire tower. Along the way there were two spots that the trail disappeared but Guthooks app helped me get back on trail. On the way down to Stemple Pass I met a SOBO thru-hiker “Cheswick”. He said he’s doing a loop and started with the AZT. Wow! We chatted about the Trail Creek fire and he is taking the Suoer Butte cutoff. I told him about my road walk. Afterwards I zoomed along trying to get to Justin before the storm. I got to him in time at Flesher Pass Trailhead. I was able to set up my tent and change my wound dressing before the storm hit. It included hail too. When it arrived we sat in the warm Jeep and both had short naps. At 4 pm I got out and did chores for tomorrow such as setting up my tent. The plan for tomorrow is for me to do a stop-and-go. I’ll switch from slack pack to back pack, get some bacon and pancakes and take off. I am trying to get past these damn mountains and into some smoother areas. But first I have 30 miles of climbing with a very heavy pack. My hope is to go 8 more miles, but otherwise 3 miles. Overall I’ll be out of touch with Justin for 4 days or about 57 miles. The longest separation yet. We shall see. Night night.
