Day 36

20 miles
Last night we both got up to pee and when we got out of the tent we realized how much we were in a cloud. Our headlamps just shined back at us and visibility was about as far as the tent. In the morning the tent was surprisingly not full of condensation, though I did dry it a little when I got to High Bridge. That was the goal for the day, get to High Bridge for the bus into town. I wanted to go for the 3pm shuttle, but in order to make that we’d have to skip breaks and just do all of the miles as quick as we could. It was all more or less downhill, with minimal blowdowns and overgrowth.  We could swing it but we’d be red-lining for 7 hours straight, which we never do. The next shuttle wasn’t until 6, which gets to Stehekin after everything has closed for the day. Marie wasn’t feeling it and we agreed for me to go ahead and get a camp spot and pizza, and maybe some beer, for us and then wait for her on the 6pm shuttle. I took off, and went as fast I could without getting too wreckless. I got to High Bridge around 2:20. I talked with the other waiting hikers and dried out the rainfly. About 2:40, up walks Marie! I was surprised to see her and impressed with her speed. She didn’t want to miss that bus and cranked up the pace. We got some cold pizza and a cinnamon roll from the bakery, then ate the pizza out front of the General Store in their hiker area. Next, we got beers from the store and went to get a campspot. We ended up with a crappy spot, but that’s ok, it’s working and only for one night. Burgers and sodas at the restaurant and flush toilets, oh so nice. Tomorrow we get to use a shower and laundry before heading back out to start the last section to the border. We learned of 2 fires that are north of us, but will need to check if they could affect us. I sure hope not. We’ve done 590 miles to get here and only have 89 miles to go.