End of Summer in Summerland

  The first snowfall marks the end of summer. The higher elevations become barren and cold as a blanket of while engulfs the whole region. The end of something is ostensibly the beginning of something else...I like to think so. The unsettling thoughts of not being able to visit my favorite mountain meadow leaves me hollow and yearning for next June or July, or sometimes August. The short hiking season is so unfair. Maybe I should move to the desert and learn to love the sand and cacti. At least there I will have the opportunity to visit my favorite places (after I find them) each and everyday of the year. Who am I kidding, the desert? Not going to happen. I need the trees, lakes, and flowered mountain meadows.
   Writing that I need the mountains begs the obvious question. Why? Is the answer to be found in some lame philosophical explanation involving my parents, or maybe it's a form of escapism? Or, here's another explanation, or lack there of, who cares! I think too many people evaluate and attempt to "discover" their motivation in life, that they never really learn to live. That sounds like a classic "avoiders technique" (thanks Todd). Whatever the reason, when I hike I don't think about much else..."one foot in front of the other" is about the end of my brains involvement. That's not entirely true, but hiking does put a muzzle on the chatterbox that's continually evaluating the "right way to live." I've looked for the answer to the "right way" in the back of dusty, ancient books and in the faces of those that "have it all together," and I'm still not convinced. I highly doubt that anyone holds the golden key to that little gem of wisdom.  I apparently need to go on another hike. Here's a little write up of my last adventure in the wilderness - Summerland, Mt Rainier 10-16-2014.
    I left at high noon. The dense forest was dark and unnerving; especially after I saw two bear prints in the mud almost as soon as I stepped foot into the woods. I turned on my Iphone external speaker and listened to Michael Buble' (and sang along) as I quickly headed towards Summerland. About half way up the trail I passed three other hikers going the other direction. I informed them about the bear tracks...they weren't too impressed and continued on. At about 3 miles I made it to the bottom of the switchback and a light coating of snow on the trail. Arriving at Summerland 30 minutes later, I was rewarded with beautiful views of The Mountain and a solitude that I have grown to love. I like meeting hikers on the trail, but the solitude of being alone in an inhospitable location adds value to the experience. Being alone in surroundings that require you to rely solely on your own faculties does something to you, not really sure what or if it's even positive, but something happens. (I'll save that for another article). After staying at the camp for 30 minutes, I decided to head back down. It was only 2:30, but the sun was setting behind Columbia Crest and soon the imaginative beasts would be roaming the deep woods.
   While hiking down the switchbacks, I came across a nice lady that was hiking up. She said she was from Greenwater, and appeared to hike everyday of her life. Ah, the life a daily hiker. I'm getting there (yes, another article in the making). Father down the trail, I saw a beasty looking animal scampering towards me. It refused to yield, and a confrontation was imminent. I posted a video  (below) that details the skirmish that left both of us unscathed. (couldn't up video-will try later to post video of Porcupine).
    A wonderful ending hike to a near perfect summer...cant wait for next summer!

 

Bear

Summerland Camp

Mt. Rainier

Porcupine on trail- halfway to trailhead

Bear paw print