8:30 p.m. I did about 17 grueling but beautiful miles today. I found a spot next to a huge talus field full of pikas. I thought this would be a low concentration bug area as it hasn't been as bad north of Chinook pass. Also there is no water for miles around. I have been swarmed with hundreds of them since setting up my tent!

Today was rough going with lots of hot exposed climbing. My legs are really sore. It was all really pretty especially the stretch coming down into Chinook pass. The wildflowers were awesome everywhere. So I'm camped at mile 2335 just beyond Martinson gap. My tent is less than 10 feet from a turn in the trail. Luckily I think all the through hikers settled near the water spots.

The last group of SOBO's I saw were around 4 PM. I was really struggling today with all the climbs and long exposed traverses. It kind of wore me out. I felt a little better after I got to the spring around 3 pm. I was able to clean up, rehydrate and soak my feet in some really icy water. My stomach has been bothering me quite a bit today. Too much fiber? Or just stress from this hike which I'm definitely not physically prepared for. Hopefully things will improve.