Mount Si Aug 31, 2018, with Tammi

Mount Si continues to dominate the landscape of North Bend, WA.

It is far past the time in 2018 to hike Mount Si. Today's hike was a conditioner and a test to see whether my friend, Tammi Hermann, was ready for a comparable hike on the Olympic Peninsula later in September, when I plan to visit a relic of World War II -- a B-17 bomber that crashed there in 1952.

This was not a rushed hike. We plodded, with no intention of reaching the summit. At a point that seemed to be well past the two mile point, we turned around and headed back, confident that the hike later this month was well within our means.

This moody shot captured one of the early scenes in what is always a scenic hike.

Along the way we passed what I call "the bannister" for the handhold it provides down the steps.

We turned back at this hairpin turn, satisfied  that we had covered at least two miles on the trail.

Statistics:

Distance: 4 miles, round trip, at least
Load: 15-pound backpack
Elevation Gain:  1,500 feet at least. 

Stats, year to date:

Distance: 1423.30 miles
Elevation gain: 40,220 feet -- closing in on my third "Rainier."