July 29

Distance: 21.6 | Ascent: 3400′ | Descent: 6050′

Mile marker: 501.9

Lunch: J – chili and orzo (A), A – Shin ramen (A)

Dinner: J – Shin ramen (A), A – bacon mac (A-)

We’ve walked so far, but we’re not even through Washington. We’re also one month in. Jason’s shoes are withered and each rock and root is agonizing. The trail today was pretty brutal with lots of golf ball-sized stones on a steep decline.

We had our last big climb of Washington. And, it was a tough one. Over 2000′ in just over four miles, but on particular section was >750’/mile. Today was also particularly hot, a high of 94°F in nearby Carson. Some of the sections were also very exposed where the sun just baked us from above and the heat radiating from the rocks toasted us from below.

After the climb, we came into a section that was riddled with thimble berries and blueberries.

We got our first view of the Columbia River!

Towards the end of the day, we crossed 500 miles on trail. We were pretty exhausted by that point.

We set up camp beside a small lake hosting diverse wildlife – trout, all sorts of snakes, kingfishers, muskrats, and cormorants! – and enjoyed a slow evening munching black berries as the sun set.