As I pulled through the parking lot I saw a sight I hadn't seen in almost two years: Eric. If you'd wondered where I'd stashed his body this is proof he didn't fall into a hole or off a cliff. He'd just taken a break.

By the time I'd geared up I was a ways behind and hustled to catch up. Our route up Mt. Si isn't the usual trail so it was a quiet mile or so before I found Eric at one of several junctions. We talked for a few minutes and he encouraged me to continue up to rejoin the others on the summit. But why hike alone for another couple of miles just to be in the summit shot? I'd much rather hike with Eric and maybe not even make the summit.

I hike by myself out of necessity. Most sane people don't get up early enough on a Sunday morning to join me at 6am at the trailhead and most don't want to spend their evenings on the Twin Falls trail. However, I'd always choose a hike with people over one by myself.

Eric and I have hiked this trail together many times. There's not much new to see or big challenges to overcome, but that's not the real point of Mt. Si or many of the TNAB trips. The real point is getting to spend time with people you like in nature.

And yes, we did summit just after the others headed down. Worth it? Totally. But not because we got to the top.