West Tiger 3 again

A slightly drizzly day on the Tiger 3 Trail

Today I hiked to the 2.2 mile point on the trail. I didn't push my luck because I hadn't prepared for the light rain and I didn't want to be wet and cold. By the time I had returned to the trailhead the sun was peeking out and the drizzle was over. I had to rest several times during the hike. A gentleman I met on the trail told me the 2.2 mile point was actually 1,926 feet above sea level, based on prior reports from his $600 altimeter watch.

Distance:  4.4 miles, 7.04 km
Load:  15 pounds
Elevation gain: approximately 1,500 feet.
Time: approximately 3 hours, with rest stops

Stats for year to date:
Distance: 276.98 km
Elevation Gain: 19.770 feet

Paths to my personal best

I took another run today at Tiger Mountain, following West Tiger 3 from the road leading to the trail head to the terminus at 2,522 feet. It started out easy, but after a few heat flashes, it became difficult, and finally, grueling. Washington Trails Association says it isfive miles round trip and a gain of 2,100 feet. Based on today's experience, this will likely be my training trail for the foreseeable future. I probably walked more than five miles because of where I parked, but I will go with WTA figures.

The lighting was very favorable, so I engaged in a favorite pastime -- capturing images of the trail, which follow.

Distance: 5.5 miles, or 10.4 km *
Elevation gain: 2,100 feet
Load: 13-pound pack
Notes: Forgot bug spray again; the bugs are out, and when I sit down to rest they find me. Lot of sweating, but I hydrated enough that I didn't get charlie horses; however, I think I came close on one occasion when I was trying to get my boots off. Statistics: Washington Trails Association said this was a five mile hike, but the trailhead sign said it was 6 to the lookout. I've added to that a half-mile to the car, which is probably understated.

Stats for year to date:
Distance: 269.94 km
Elevation Gain: 18,270 feet

Another running tab . . .

Aug. 15, 2017: Little Si

View of Mount Si from point near summit of Little Si

Distance: 4 miles, 6.4 km
Load: 12 pounds
Elevation gain: 1,300 feet
Notes: With Mary Jane Gibson. Leisurely, sluggish hike. 2.5 hours to the top; 1.5 hours back. Cool weather except at the top and at the end of the hike.

States for year to date:
Distance: 259.54 km
Elevation Gain: 16,170 feet

Feeding wildlife, meeting homeless, etc. Week 7-31-17

Start of the High Point Trail

The banquet

Normally, I try not to feed the wildlife when I'm hiking, but it was that kind of day. I felt sluggish and low energy, it was muggy, and the wildlife was ravenous. My  balaclava was soaked and not admitting another drop of sweat. When a hot flash forced me to sit down, the eau de Robert was all it took for a thousand mosquitoes, and biting flies of all sizes to descend on this stationary buffet. They were not taking "no" for an answer and I was too tired to swat them all.

I had hiked for only 45 minutes and just passed the sign for the Talus Rock Trail when I realized my body was not willing to go any farther. I turned back. Every time I paused to take a snapshot of the scenic trail, the critters found me again and the feeding frenzy resumed. It didn't stop until I made it back to the trailhead.

Tent City 4

Just before I made it to the freeway, I noticed that there was a building behind a line of cars, and I pulled over to see what it was. I wasn't expecting to see a homeless camp.

The first tent is the "office;" the rest are domiciles that point the way to another hiking trail.

Tent City 4 is located close to the end of the Exit 20 offramp on I-90 enroute to the trailhead.

My first reaction when I came to the Tent City 4 sign was wondering whether I was trespassing. But the lady reading her book at the entrance of the first tent/building waved me in. Afterward, I met Wendell, the on duty E.C., and Sam, the camp advisor. Sam explained that drugs and alcohol are banned in the camp; residents frequently provide bottled water to hikers who pass by; and that many of the residents have jobs. They bicycle to a nearby bus stop to get to work.

The camp has a TV and has a gasoline-powered electrical generator. There's a tent kitchen for preparing foods.

Operational needs include

• Gasoline -- including gas cards sold by gasoline stations
• Clean Blankets
• Bottled Water
• Hot dinner meals (www.sharewheel.orgwww.sharewheel.org for the calendar)
• 33-gallon trash bags
• Batteries AAA and D sizes
• 10-by-10 foot tents
• Office Depot gift cards for supplies
• Ibuprofen
• Printer ink cartridges for Epson Model #220 (blk/colors)

Other scenes this day:

Part of the trail out

Part of the trail back

Distance: tbd
Elevation gain: tdb
Load: 16 pounds
Stamina: Weak; hot flashes combined with warm weather; lots of sweating; needed bug spray. Turned back just past the Talus Rock Trail sign.

Other hikes this week.

July 31: Chocolate Box; Greenlake

Distance: 2.8 miles, 4.48 km to Chocolate Box
Distance: 2 miles, 3.2 km around half of Green Lake (estimate)
Elevation gain: 200 feet
Stamina: coming up hill from downtown I felt quite fatigued
Companions: Larisa and her twin granddaughters (8 years old) who came to Seattle by bus.

States for year to date:
Distance: 253.54 km
Elevation Gain: 14,870 feet