On arrival 2 hrs out of Seattle I notice the surroundings were powder dry--they were in a 5 yr. dry spell---I camped 4 to 5 days as high as I could get [which was only 5k feet-altitude not a big factor here--and had my first taste of the cascades--they are not real high , but they are extreme--everything about them.
The drop offs are steep the lakes are deep the trails are narrow in places w/ significant mule killing drop offs. The cover is beautiful large fir ect w/ under growths of huckleberries that were ripe and if eaten in quantity will deliver a purging to not be forgotten.
The RD is from Utah and the associate[an original navy seal-Vietnam conflict] put on an unforgettable gathering of runners and volunteers--everyone introduced and greeted at a café at 9am--course details then off at 10am---mile 8 runners hit ground hornets and one guy got 8 bites up his shorts--w/in minutes they have him treated and cleaned up and on the trail w/ a benadryl buss--switch backs and sharp trails like running on a knife blade all day--dark hit mid-night surprise--trail around lake through under growth and over trees bigger around than my subburban[we learned to crawl rather than crotch them]--5 miles took me 5 hours--record is 2 hrs for this stretch--if you fall off trail its cold water 75 to 100 feet below--I found it hard to sleep walk as I usually do around 4am.-from here to a tunnel[I did not like it--no stars]for 5 miles--then repel down rope for 200 yards-with bushes between-slid down dirt bank on butts for 50 feet onto underpass and into next mt. group across highway-still dark-alone and depressed about lack of something? Praise God these are followed by inspirations as a rule
Busted out of the badlands at dawn w/ a euphoria that lasted a while--I felt like I was running 7 min miles[probably--15min/mile]--I overtook a young lady who was fast--and I though why not stick w/ her for a couple hours ? Next thing I was sliding down a steep trail via knees and elbow--lost lots of hide and some pride [had little left by then].
Went over passes and at mile 80 sat and talked and encouraged major that jockeyed troops in c-130s in middle east --he was hurting from swollen knee--left him with peace of mind and went out for last stretch in high temps[88 f] and caring one blood blister that I treated w/ race number pin---then asthma hit at mile 88 before this lookout tm. we had to go straight up then straight back down w/ 2 playing cards/2 mile both ways--a moral killer--quads on the decent]--some saint of a lady saw me breathing and had albuteral inhaler and w/in 15 min. I was a new and improved man---finished through some of the most beautiful water falls and springs [mile 90-98] I have ever witnessed.
CONCLUSION:
Spiritual-thank you Jesus I did not fall off a mt.
Physical-felt good other than scars: lost 5 lbs[excellent food--plus the wild berries]
Equipment-NB-864 shoes literally went to dumpster at finish line with parts hanging off--trail shoes were hurting bad toenails from Vermont.
Rewards-shirt-handmade engraved buckle box-nice buckle.28:20-time--would do it again[w/o so many huckleberries].