[Hulksmash]

I've been planing a trip up Pilchuck at night for some time now. With recent reports of the trail snow free. I decided to go for it Thursday night after work. Why, hike at night? View's of the city lights, and good views of stars at the same time, catch the sunrise over the cascades. And not dealing with the daytime heat . I arrived at the trail head some time after 12:30 am. It was nice and cool. The trail was easy to follow. It was clear, lots of stars visible. The summit would promise some night time photos, star traces, behind rugged peaks...right. As i climbed the city lights became more prominent. The lights were illuminating some wispy clouds. I decided to wait until i reached the summit to take an night shots. There would be unobstructed views up there. Twenty minutes from the summit the clouds started to roll in. It went from cool, to damp and down right frigid in seconds. A few minutes from the look out visibility started to get bad. Finally the silhouette of the look out came into view. With my concern with the worsening weather conditions and maybe...i was a little tired...i forgot that there was one other car at the trail head. As i reached for the door handle i caught the sight of boots and trekking poles. Crap....the look out was already occupied. Looking back down the ladder to the Look out, the fog had become so thick the bottom was no longer visible I did not want to barge in at something past 3 am. I decided to try and bivy out side in the damp weather. Not an easy decision considering the lack of visibility around the summit area. Just for good measure, i picked up some rocks and tosed them into my direction of travel, listening for them landing. I found i good safe spot. Fortunately, my sleeping bag kept me warm...but damp. I drifted off to sleep. A few hours later i was awakened by bird song, it was starting to get light. Peaking out revealed the pea soup, even with day light visibility was not much better. I dozed off...later i was awakened by the people who had occupied the lookout leaving. I stayed in my sleeping bag for a bit before deciding to occupy the lookout. While i was gathering my gear. I took this photo...it was just about the only thing visible.

morning

That was 7:30 ish AM well after sunrise. Once in the look out i decided to sleep some more..until the clouds parted or the first of the crowds arrived. I drifted off again...I awoke around 9:30 to the sound of the wind outside the look out. Still dark and gloomy. I dug around my pack for some water. Suddenly...just like some one flipped a light switch on. The sun appeared, and i was staring at Three Fingers across the top of the cloud layer.

Pilchuck pano

[url]http://[/url] Flickr sure killed the video quality.....how did it go from horizontal to vertical.

[The Angry Hiker]

That's pretty cool. But I bet if you had JUST pounded on that lookout door a few times and shouted "I SMELL MAN-FLESH!!!, you would've had a dry place to sleep.

[Jimbo]

Funny @$$ report old man, And the video was sweet as well. Do that on flick huh ? from your camera ?

[Hulksmash]

Yep i did that flick...I have a interval timer i set on my camera. It's simple...take a photo at a preset interval..then import them into windows movie maker. Play each frame for .125 seconds. Instant time lapse flick. I forgot to mention..Now that there is no snow...there is no convenient source of water along the trail except at the trail head So pack extra water. I'm not sure wringing my sleeping bag would have yielded potable water

[Jimbo]

Well I've been sitting here watching the lightning and rain so I think there mite be some water tomorrow Took the street bike up the loop today, nice and sunny. Not now, tons of folks setting up camp in every crack they could find.

[gone]

[Magellan]

Great stuff Hulky!

[Hikingqueen]

you are brave! cool video

[puzzlr]

Love the video.

[Tim and Angel]

....another fan of your trip reports chiming in. Nice video and trip report! Livin' life!

[Hulksmash]

was not sure where to post this one..was out farting around today and threw this together.

[GeoHiker]

WTG, If the LO is rocking don't bother knocking. I would have bust in and told all there....."don't bother me I'm only passing through" You missed the Northern Lights and fantastic weather by one night. That sucks, but you'll remember this hike much longer I bet.