August 6

It was a tough day for big mileage. There were a lot of northbound hikers to chat with and steep terrain to navigate. I made it by Ramona Falls, another short alternate to the PCT by a huge cascade of water. It was a fun day altogether, and my new bright orange shirt is a huge hit. I look too clean to the other thru-hikers after my double zero, and probably smell too clean at this point too.

I made it to Timberline Lodge at the base of Mt. Hood in the early afternoon, got my resupply package, a shower, and food before getting back on the trail. I have a full belly and a lazy attitude and found a nice spot tucked away in some pine trees on a bed of sand to cowboy camp for the night only about a half mile from the lodge. I can still hear car doors in the parking lot. An 18 mile day is ok with me today as I hear soon the trail will be as flat as a pancake and I only have to  do a couple of 30s or 32s to keep up my 27 mile average. I plan to be hiking early tomorrow especially since I don't have a tent to take down. I spend too much time in my sleeping bag when I have my tent up anyway.