1982: The Pasaytan Loop, page 21

Lyall's Larch near Harts Pass.

September 20, 1982
Monday, 9:20 AM
Harts Pass

I am having my morning tea inside the tent.  It started raining at about 6 AM, so other than the warmer temperatures, we are ending this hike exactly the way we started – sitting in the Harts Pass camping area in the rain.

Ron turned out to be quite a nice guy.  He said reaching Canada will be anti-climatic, as he had to bypass a good portion of the High Sierra because of  the heavy snowpack. (There's a standard route to the east that is used for this very purpose.) And then somewhere between Snoqualmie and Rainy Pass he tore a muscle in front of his calf and had to be rescued by the Sheriff's office. He spent some time recuperating in Auburn from that injury, which explained why he was a little late coming through. He headed off early this morning and Micki and I are now alone in this little campground. I think we will spend most of today inside the tent snoozing.

It ain’t a torn muscle, but the sciatic nerve in my left leg never did stop hurting. It is particularly sore when I straighten it after sitting cross-legged for any amount of time. So, I'm afraid the damage I suffered in my work accident is permanent.

C&G and I had tentatively planned a short hike in this area for October, but I'm thinking maybe we might have to pick a different location. The early snowfall has caused the Lyall’s Larch to already start turning. I’ll talk it over with them and see what they want to do. Maybe we could go to Lake Stuart or Lake Mary, someplace closer to Seattle.

A little while ago I went over to the ranger station and checked out the register. One of the rangers signed out on the 16th; I suppose Linda left shortly thereafter. I can't blame any of them – they are up here for the whole season and were probably totally ready to get out of the woods.  I know that it doesn't take me but a few days before I start fantasizing about the modern miracle that is hot water that comes out of a wall.

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