Don't look so surprised. When Amy's away I'm gonna play. Granted, I've got issues that mean that "playing" involves miles and feet gained. Luckily, I've got company. Scott and Eric were up for an after-work hike, too.
Mt. Washington isn't the craziest, but the weather wasn't looking good farther east. So up we went. Even here the clouds were pretty intense and the summit was likely to be gray. Instead of looking big I went small.
The little details often get overlooked when Rainier pops out or the sunset dazzles. We miss things like the salamander hidden in the duff at the Owl Spot. Or the tiny pink flowers or the mushrooms I should have stopped for, but passed by. How about the ripe salmonberries or the M&Ms splayed out on the rock? Or the way the water beads on the delicate maidenhair fern?
Sure, I got distracted at the end by some great color on the way down. And, yeah, the sky was crystal clear as we left the Pour House, but it was good and stenuous and fun.
Totals: 7.5 miles and 3,600 feet.
