It was a beautiful night sky and a delightful morning. It was an early rise and an interesting trail that petered out at times. I found the gully particularily unstable with even large rocks sliding under my feet. I wondered at times why we chose the fresh slide area rather than older slide areas where plant roots had stabilized the soil. But, when not the leader, perhaps one should follow.

I found the clearness of the morning contrasted with the smoke filled afternoon rather starkly. Sitting for a long time on the pass allowed an observance of the changing weather. There was time to do a little drawing.

Between the time for ten people to climb up, to descend and then to do a short fixed line, I was very impressed on how very difficult it would be to move an army. Or if not difficult, at least how slow it would be. Prior to this experience, I had only climbed with three on one rope and felt the delays were interminable. Occasionally, I felt I was in the military with the repeated reminders to form up or corral or not to go past this line.

Our evening campsite was majestic set on a large mass of upwelled granite, perhaps a batholith as I learned from Daniel Mathews in his Cascade-Olympic Natural History book. This book is one of the most enjoyable natural history books I have read.

Dinner was quesadillas served a bit late. The MSR stoves are proving to be durable and wonderfully cookers once you adapt to their warp drive. Individually prepared meals require a bit much effort but it is enjoyable adapting ones creativity to the environment.