Fifth Rainier on Mount Si!

Scene near the canal where I gathered and filtered water to drink.

August 26, 2019 --Today I surpassed 70,000 verticle feet for 2019, ascending the equivalent height of Mount Rainier for the fifth time -- my goal for the year. I was not high energy, but I made the summit lookout in three hours. Other noteworthy moments: Learning from a fellow hiker that water flowing straight from the rocks was safe to drink (I still filtered the water from the stream in the "canal" at the early part of the trail.) I got by with one large bottle of water and some trail mix. I had prepared tuna salad, which I finished when I got back home. My feet hurt, but not as much as they might have; I had rolphed them the night before.

A scene by the boardwalk at snag flats, a little past the first mile marker

A scene just above the canal where I filtered drinking water

Two large trees bookend the trail.

Distance: 8 miles*
Conditions: Clear Sky
Load: 18 pounds
Elevation gain: 3,000 feet 

Statistics, year to date:
Distance: 229.6 miles 
Elevation Gain: 70,178 feet -- my Fifth Rainier for the year!