West Tiger: Just over 1 mph

Map from 2.2 mile point to trailhead

Today Roger and I improved significantly. We made it to the viewpoint of Tiger 3 Trail by walking slowly. There were times I had to catch my breath -- probably, in hindsight, due to hot flashes. We started at 9:30 a.m. and reached the viewpoint at noon.

Enroute back, I engaged Map My Hike at the 2.2 mile point from the trailhead. When we had made it to the trailhead from that point, Map My Hike showed a distance of 2.1 miles, which is within 5% accuracy.

Distance:  6 miles,9.6 km
Load:  15 pounds
Elevation gain: approximately 2,000 feet.
Time: approximately 2.5 hours, with rest stops

Stats for year to date:
Distance: 292.08 km
Elevation Gain: 22,270 feet

Part of the Tiger 3 Trail

West Tiger 3 with Roger

This was a light hike. Roger and I were sluggish, so we stopped about two miles in, and headed back. The weather was cool and comfortable. The next few days will bring lots of rain.
Distance:  4 miles,6.4 km
Load:  15 pounds
Elevation gain: approximately 500 feet.
Time: approximately 3 hours, with rest stops

Stats for year to date:
Distance: 283.38 km
Elevation Gain: 20.270 feet

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

Running tab...First Rainier for 2017

Morning on the trail up Little Si

July 19, 2017

Rattlesnake Ledge with Mary Vesper. Mary made it two-thirds of the way. I went on ahead and returned. Next time I plan to wear a 20-pound weight vest plus my backpack.
After hike activity:  XXX Root Beer in Issaquah with Shirley Ganse and Mary.
Distance: 4 miles = 6.4 km
Elevation gain: 1,160 feet
Time: 90 minutes up; one hour down
Load: 15 pounds, approximately.
Stamina: Varied; hot flashes enroute. Cool beeze at the top helped. Shared a trekking pole with Mary on way down.

July 20, 2017

Pike Place Market  (Lowell's restaurant) with Jamie Marsden. Viewed infinity exhibit at SAM; buffet at Dawat grill.
Distance: 2.8 miles, 4.48 km
Elevation gain: 200 feet
Load: Negligible
Stamina: Good, but a little tired going back up hill

July 23, 2017

Ivar's Acres of Clams and Cal Anderson Park area, distributing sack lunches
Distance: 3.6 miles, 5.76 km
Elevation gain: 300 feet
Load: Negligible
Stamina: Improved stamina coming up hill

July 26 hiking companions Mary Vesper and Jamie Marsden

July 26, 2017

Little Si, Christ Our Hope Catholic Church. Companions were Mary Vester and Jamie Marsden. Trail was dusty; light was mottled, and we were tired, making hike a little dangerous at times. Mary fell, while descending some rocks, but was uninjured. Warm day.
Distance: 6.6 miles, 10.56 km
Elevation gain: 1,500 feet
Load: 14 pounds for Little Si portion
Time: Little Si, 4.5 hours
Stamina: Hiked slow; several hot flashes. stamina fair aside from hot flashes

States for year to date:
Distance: 245.86 km
Elevation Gain: 14,670 feet

The First Rainier.