[Now I Fly]

I am constantly amazed by the reports posted here at nwhikers.net. Truely some amazing athletes in the crowd! This is a personal test I've done for a handful of years. I tend to attempt it on, or near, my birthday, thus "The Birthday Challenge". 'Route 66', because I turned 66 this year. I-90 triple shot, well my version is, Mailbox, Granite, Si. After last year, I honestly had my doubts. I finished it, but just felt like poop, and really thought enough was enough. I'd spent some time in Colorado this Fall and have been feeling pretty fair, so i thought, what the heck, give it a shot. I always start with Mailbox. It's the hardest (maybe), and the shortest, and an old friend. It was foggy working through the cloudbase, damp, and cool. Perfect!

Next was Granite. I know Granite pretty well, but seldom take the trail. I wasn't looking forward to wet boots, so I bit the bullet and stay on the trail. Good call. The middle shot is often (but not always) the toughest for me. The trail was the right call.

On the way down from the lookout the clouds started to break, and the days magic began. Flying near clouds is what I really miss about flying Hang Gliders. I flew Rampart Ridge many times (over a hundred for sure), and the best days were always the cloud flying days.

Shot while flying.

Rampart!

My camera's battery when dead after this shot.

Pounded down the trail and headed to Si. Si is always last. Easiest and much more fun coming down under headlamp. There is a trail runners race coming up on Si soon, and many runners training as I hike up. Not as young as I used to be, but I still gain energy when getting passed! I drafted folks as best I could and made the base of the Haystack in time to enjoyed a most amazing sunset. Broke open a bag of Tim's Chips, cracked a summit beer, sat on my butt.

By the time I started down I had Si to myself. With fresh batteries in my headlamp, and a happy buzz for the days work, I made my way back to the truck. Grabbed burgers in North Bend and made it home by 10:00. Good day. B

[BarbE]

Keep up the good work for that next 14 mile snowshoe trip-breaking trail for us mere mortals 😆

[awilsondc]

Inspirational! Way to go!

[jsb]

Happy belated birthday... and congrats on still getting out on the trails!

[timberghost]

Excellent job for an old timer!!!

[RichP]

Way to go! Inspirational for us younger sexagenarians.

[Now I Fly]

[Gimpilator]

Badass

[puzzlr]

Way to go, Brian! I would have diverted to the Pour House after Mailbox had I attempted to join you. I'm 69 and on my way to some great hikes in the Dolomites this week and feel pretty good about that. I hope 70 isn't a fitness cliff next year.

[Now I Fly]

[Dansjolseth]

I was pretty good up until I turned 77 and it's been a general slow down since then. I don't go fast now days but I enjoy it more.

[williswall]

Worthy day, but not enough suffering...add another peak!