Day 13, July 8, 2020. A miserable, sodden insufferable campsite to a hotel room in Skykomish.
We were packed and ready to go only 30 minutes later than planned. An efficiency record I doubt we’ll top. We knew two things about today: we had to clear another dangerous pass (Red Pass) and we knew we had a way to bail off the PCT.
It was the typical snow travel morning. Slow, frustrating and cold. However, we were treated to a brief clearing in the clouds that allowed us to glimpse White Mountain across the valley.
Josh took the lead the last part of the way over Red Pass. The closer we got to the top, the steeper the snow and the scarier. Still, we made it.
Coming down the backside, we saw fewer snow patches and more fields of flowers. There were quite a few marmots that came out to watch us.
We dropped down to a side trail leading out of the forest via the Sauk River. The sun came out. We saw see all the peaks ahead and every one of them had snow. We were going to bail out and give up on the Washington section of the PCT.
After several different attempts, we lined up a ride from the trailhead to Skykomish where I had an important package waiting for me. Dan, who I knew through social media was amazingly going to pick us up from the trail head and drive us two hours to Skykomish.
We arrived at the trailhead around 5:00. He indicated he’d probably get there after work, 9:30. We tried drying some of our stuff, played cards, and ate. Josh had the presence of mind to order pizzas delivered to the hotel in Skykomish so we would have food when we arrived. These satellite devices are life savers.
Dan showed up. He is a fairly intense younger guy. He was driving a late 90’s Toyota Tercel. He looked at the four of us and one of his first questions was “How much do you weigh?”
Driving out on the forest road was a thrill ride. Dan was tring furiously to avoid potholes. Failing that, we would drag either the exhaust or oil pan across the gravel road. Several times we got out when the drop was too much. After getting on the paved highway, he kept up a helpful and hopeful conversation about backpacking, work, and life.
Dan was another example of the basic goodness in individuals. He had originally reached out to just offer a short ride to a stranger. He ended up hauling four strangers 100s of miles at considerable risk to his car and not getting home from work until almost 2:00 in the morning. He refused payment or a donation to a charity. He said that many people had helped him out and he was just paying it forward. Amazing
On a separate note, if you are looking to buy a used car, keep your eyes open for a late 90’s Toyota Tercel with a dented oil pan and banged up exhaust. You’ll know it is the same vehicle we rode in if you open it up and detect the smell of Febreze overwhelmed by the foot and body odor of four backpackers. Pay the full asking price. The car has good karma.
backpacking over the hill 